LymeNet Flash: Shingles

This is topic Shingles in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by prconn (Member # 7113) on :

Hey folks,

Was wondering if shingles is amother symptom of Lyme.

A neighbor who is a nurse seems to think a rash on my chest looks like shingles.

I have had simplex on my ear before but not on my chest. My ear has been clear for about a year. But the type of rash looks very similar.

I am currently taking Biaxin and plaquinel.

Any insights would be appreciated.

Peace.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Is it painful?

I would think since our immune systems are compromised, we could easily have shingles. You are on plaquinel which also suppresses the immune system.

Shingles is a viral thing, and comes up when our systems are stressed or otherwise "down."

Hope this helps. Are you doing OK?

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Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by prconn (Member # 7113) on :

I am fine thanks. Actually doing and feeling much better. Sort of thought the rash may actually have been a toxic release.
It just seems like 2 steps forward and 3 back sometimes.

Thanks for your insights! Had no idea plaqunil surpressed the immune system.

Peace.

Posted by 24bit (Member # 6531) on :

Shingles has nothing to do with Lyme directly, but when you're worn down, shingles will appear. I had it really, really bad!!!!

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

I had shingles a few years ago. The son of one of my co-workers had been playing in my cubicle and unknown to me (or his dad) he had been exposed to chicken pox at preschool.

It started on my left side. I took herpes medicine for it.

Posted by CA quest (Member # 6827) on :

I know of two lyme patients who both had shingles near the onset of their lyme symptoms. Whether this is meaningful in any way I am clueless. Quest

Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :

For visual documentation, do video tape, and take photos. Have proof of date and time(s)
Let NOTING go undocumented--primarily for your own reference. Do both close-up and distant photos/cam corder.

Plaquenil is also an immune supressant, and so this may contribute to this manifestation of some kind, be it infectious, and/or drug-induced.

check drug and other sources. ask a pharmacist late at night, at a 24- hour drug store thereby bring him out of his 'coma'due to the quietude....

I read somewhere, that flagyl may cause an herpetic rash-outbreak of some kind on the shins(shingles(?)); it may do so elsewhere, as well.

Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :

It brings out the worst in viruses. I'm on valtex permently until I get the T.B.D.'s under control.

You don't want these viruses to keep building up. You need to suppress their growth in your blood.

Not sure if I make sence but that's my understanding. I'm not a Doctor.

Take Care,
HK

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Heather, you might be interested in this product. I keep intending to buy it and haven't yet. It's supposed to help with viruses and such. Very unique product.
www.lauricidin.com

------------------
Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by islandgirl (Member # 5914) on :

I had a HORRIBLE case of shingles right before I was floored with all my lyme symptoms. No explanation by the docs. This is why lymenet is so good...to hear that you are not alone with your symptoms.

By the way....the infectious disease doctor that I had to consult with for an IV (was turned down, by the way) says all the lesions in my brain AND ALL my disabling symptoms were caused by a very powerful something that they can't figure out. He even told my insurance company I was unable to work and the future didn't look so hot for work.

He and his colleagues were not sure what did it, but it can't be lyme. Even tho I was positive by igenex western blot and US cdc standards,it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY that lyme was the agent. Igenex, in their opinion, is not to be trusted.

So much for that. If it wasn't for lymenet keeping me informed over the years, I probably would have paddled off into the sunset in my kayak.

HOpe the shingles clear up soon. They are really harsh. Mine cleared and have not returned in 2 years. Hang in there.

Posted by Christine202 (Member # 6158) on :

I'm on a continual treatment of Zovirax right now b/c the Lyme disease suppressed my immune system enough for my HHV6 to become active again.

I think this is common. Lyme suppresses us so much that other problems come out.

I have had shingels and contiued outbreaks of Cold sores... The zovirax has helped tremendously.

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