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


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Posted by nan (Member # 63) on :
 
I have a whopping case of shingles and the pain is agonizing.
Have had them once before, but not this bad.

My doctor prescribed Valtrex and percoset. Maybe I will get some sleep now.

Wondering if this Valtrex works...and whether anyone has had experience with it.

Also...why are lyme patients prone to these?

Thanks for advice.
 

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Posted by brodiemac (Member # 7232) on :
 
As I understand it, shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus, which you originally get from childhood chickenpox, etc. The virus then lies dormant in the body where it can cause shingles, cold sores, etc. later in life. Most of the time, a person with a normal immune system can keep the virus from making them ill.

However, if your immune system is depressed in any way - either through another illness, medication or just stress - then the virus grabs its chance to make its presence felt. It is well documented that Bb can depress the immune system to protect itself - in doing so, it lets the herpes zoster virus loose.

LD sufferers are also prone to more throat infections, etc for exactly the same reasons.

Brodie
 

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Posted by nan (Member # 63) on :
 
Thanks, Brodie! Good explanation. So much for all the stuff I take to boost my immune system.

They better hurry up and find a cure for this rotten disease. After 6 years of treatment, I'm losing hope.
 

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Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :
 
if i recall correctly, i read somewhere that flagyl can cause an outbreak of this virus.
while on a course of flagyl, i had a rash breakout on my shins, which disappeared with cessation of the flagyl.

somewhere on http://www.arthritistrust.org, one paper discussing treatment agents, stated that flagyl kills macrophages.(no references given supporting this claim)
theres macros. in the blood, then theres brain macros. the author was not specific about which ones flagyl killed, but to the medico-literate, it probably means those macros in the blood and tissues.

so a tenative speculative interpretation might be that, if flagyl does this, then other imidazoles may do so, as well(tinidazole, ornidazole, nimorazole, secnidazole.)
 

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
The valtrex works best if you get on it immediately. I had a feeling that you were not doing well. I'm sorry you're in so much pain. UGH! Hope it eases soon, and if it doesn't .... check into trying Xango.
 

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Posted by nan (Member # 63) on :
 
Thank you all. I was taking tinidazole, pq...and I wondered if that had anything to do with it.
Hmmm.

Tu..I had had the pain for several days, and when the rash started I went right to the Doc. Sure hope the Valtrex will work and I got started early enough.

Got some endocet for pain. This morning pain is worse even with the endocet. Can't stand any clothes on my top half...and it's 19* this morning!

Thanks for letting me vent and offering support.
 

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Posted by auntybiotic1499 (Member # 2998) on :
 
Nan,

I have had shingles twice so far since being treated the last three years for lyme.

Mine are at the base of my spine running down my butt........talk about pain when sitting especially driving a car.

It ran it's course of 10 days and I really don't think the Valtrex shortened the cycle, at least not for me.

The next time I got it, I was well aware of what it was. I had about six very small water filled blisters in a row. The pain was a throbbing toothache type pain.

Good Luck and hope it goes away fast.

aunty
 

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Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
 
I had a shingle attack several years ago, was being treated for lyme but don't think I had tried any tinidazole or flagyl at that point. Went away after a couple of weeks without anti-virals, but don't think it was as bad as yours sounds.
 

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Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by pq:
if i recall correctly, i read somewhere that flagyl can cause an outbreak of this virus.
while on a course of flagyl, i had a rash breakout on my shins, which disappeared with cessation of the flagyl.

somewhere on http://www.arthritistrust.org, one paper discussing treatment agents, stated that flagyl kills macrophages.(no references given supporting this claim)
theres macros. in the blood, then theres brain macros. the author was not specific about which ones flagyl killed, but to the medico-literate, it probably means those macros in the blood and tissues.

so a tenative speculative interpretation might be that, if flagyl does this, then other imidazoles may do so, as well(tinidazole, ornidazole, nimorazole, secnidazole.)

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Page five number 7 and 8

7. Metronidazole kills over-active macrophages according to
work by Paul K. Pybus and A.H. Davies (1st reported), and seems
to be corroborated by Kwang Jeon, Ph.D. reports.)21
8. Clotrimazole does not kill over-active macrophages.11
From below

PDF
 

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
My mom's terribly painful shingles in her face and ear went away in just a few days. I took her to the dr when the pain began.

My heart hurts for you, nan. I know it's very painful.
 

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Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :
 
my statement might have implied that macrophages killed herpetic viruses, or at some point in time in teh "immune syst. processing steps" of herpetic and other viruses, that macrophages were somehow involved. i really don't know if they do or do not have this function.

if they do, kill or are involved in processing viruses,including herpetic ones, then if the imidazole(s) kill the macros. then this would take the check off viral replication, so shingles manifest.
 

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Posted by Corgilla (Member # 4066) on :
 
Hi,

My Mom had shingles a little while ago. A respected LL psychiatrist recommended Colostrum. I searched high and low for it and ended up having to order it on the internet.

I researched and found that Symbiotics is one that doesn't take all the colostrum away from the newborn calf. The calf is allowed to share.

I take it now and it really seems to help me feel better. I ordered both the regular and the plus. I take one of each in the am and one of each in the pm.

I feel for you. My Mom's on steroids and it took her forever to get over her shingles. She didn't take the colostrum so I don't know if it would have worked for her or not.

Best wishes,

Corgilla
 

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Posted by lymesux (Member # 6248) on :
 
Nan,
I'm very sorry for you - I know the pain of shingles very well - I have Chronic Regional pain syndrome and at times also get shingles. The doc said those of us with depressed immune systems are the lucky ones to get recurrent cases.

The valtrex has helped if I catch it right away - usually if the rash comes out, it might be too late, the pain is supposedly the first sign.

Capsacin(sp?) cream can help the rash at times - cool oatmeal baths I believe (not sure i'm remembering right). I'm just really sorry you are going thru this now.


 

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Posted by Tammy (Member # 8370) on :
 
I am soooooo sorry you have to go through it. I am positive for both HSV1/2 and they were both HUGE numbers that doctor had never seen in all her medical hx.!!! I had it on my head and it's not fun at all.
My naturopath is so cool. She puts me on MONOLAUREN and I take 2 to 3 am and pm to help with outbreaks and now I just take for insurance and I haven't had a herpes outbreak or shingles in six months now!!!!! Also she put me on ViraCon herb pills which helps tremendously.
I will pray for you to get well very fast. I hope that this helps you to know that others suffer too and we are here to help!!!
Best,
Tammy
 

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Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :
 
coconut oil is good for lipid enveloped viruses.
therefore, if the chicken pox virus is a lipid-enveloped virus the chances are great that one would be helped by, either monolauren and/or coconut oil.

o/w, i don't know if monolauren and/or coconut oil would be helpful, it just might be.

tammy and lymesux made some excellent suggestions.
 

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Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :
 
nan,
My mom had a bad case of this a couple of years ago..She still has scars..Thought she would never stop scratching them...

I found she got some relief if she took benedryl..It was what the Dr had told me to give my girls when they had chicken pox..Think it helped somewhat and there was a creme that was very good..The dr prescribed it..I will try to call her later and post it here if she can remember..lymemomtooo
 

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Posted by Linda LD (Member # 6663) on :
 
I know two people who get shingles with the Lyme...

I tried to call one and he is out hunting... you might try a rif if you know anyone with one--that's what he was doing.

L
 

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Posted by nan (Member # 63) on :
 
Thanks for all the support. Benadryl helps the itch a bit...new ones erupting so I am afraid maybe the Valtrex was started too late.

One of those days when you wonder, "WHAT NEXT?"

TG for the painkillers. And this too shall pass.

You all are terrific...and I thank you.
 

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Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by nan:
Thanks for all the support. Benadryl helps the itch a bit...new ones erupting so I am afraid maybe the Valtrex was started too late.

One of those days when you wonder, "WHAT NEXT?"

TG for the painkillers. And this too shall pass.

You all are terrific...and I thank you.

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