I just had shingles in July and August. Valtrex on day of breakout. The pain came about 5 days before the rash. It went from my neck to shoulder and all the way to me finger tips. The gave my the Valtrex, prednisone, percoset, and pain patches. It stillhurt so much that I had to use my other hand to do anything. I'm sorry for him or anyone who gets this terrible illness.