Ouch! Nothing hurts like shingles can hurt! I got it last March and still have nerve pain. I had them from the midsection under my boobs to the middle section of my back. I have scaring from the blisters. I was on prescription pain killers [Percocet and Amitripline] and Gabapentin. Also had cortisone shot. It is so miserable that you wouldn't even wish them on your worst enemy. I was told that the older a person is, the worse they can be. Get the vaccine even though it is expensive because this can be expensive to treat and the pain is horrible. Wearing something tight around the area effected has helped lessen the pain....my quilting also helps me get my mind off the pain.