Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
At the end of my drs appt today (not llmd). I just pointed out this tiny rash on my wrist (very different from all my other rashes) that i have had for weeks, and is not going away and causing my wrist to feel like it is burning.
She thought it looked liked shingles. And gave me a script for 5 days of acyclovir.
If I have had it shingles that long is the acyclovir going to help? And is 5 days enough?
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
They still give acyclovir to people in your case to help prevent postherpetic neuralgia. Believe me, you don't want to have this.
See this from medicinenet:
The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This occurs when the nerve pain associated with shingles persists beyond one month, even after the rash is gone. It is a result of irritation of the nerves of sensation by the virus. The pain can be severe and debilitating. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs primarily in people over the age of 50 and affects 10%-15% of people with shingles. There is evidence that treating shingles with antiviral agents can reduce the duration and occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia.
posted
I had shingles---doc treated it with 10 days of famvir, 500 mg 3x day. The rash (blisters0 dryed up and was mostly gone after 14 days. Acyclovir works also---not sure about the 5 days time period. Take it for 5 days and see what happens. (You might get a headache---I had one from famvir---went away as soon as I stopped taking it.
Good luck.
Posts: 213 | From ohio | Registered: Jul 2006
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Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
Interesting. I have had no headaches since starting abx. (used to get blockbusters everytime the weather changed)Woke up this morning with a headache.
As always TF,you are precious resource!
What's so bazaar about this... Is the rash and the sensation are so insignificant compared to all my other rashes and pain,I almost didn't mention it. Do you think some of my joint pain could be shingles pain? Does the pain come before the rash?
Do you think I need to mention this to llmd before my next appt at the end of January?
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Yes, the pain of shingles comes before the rash, but, the rash will follow shortly after (about a week later, no more) But, remember that shingles attacks only one nerve of the body, and the pain comes along that one nerve only and so does the rash.
So, shingles does NOT cause joint pain. And, it will not cause pains in various parts of the body, only one.
I would certainly mention to the lyme doc at next appt that the PCP thought I might have shingles on my wrist and put me on acyclovir to treat it.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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