posted
Good News, I've survived the Shingles and am feeling much better.
I had one semi bad week & one really rough week followed by a not too bad week. I took Codeine to sleep during the rough week, but other than that I just tried to ignore the pain.
I'm not having residual effects and the rash is fading. I think I had a relatively mild case. If I hadn't been through all I've been through with Lyme though, Shingles would have seemed awful. In comparison it wasn't any worse than the other varied & severe symptoms I've endured.
The Shingles seems to have activated my immune system. I'm feeling much better that before I got it. The pain in my back and shoulder (near where the rash was) is vastly improved. I have been able to exercise without feeling awful afterward. All my previous attempts to exercise these past 2 years resulted in feeling awful, having no energy and a big setback. I'm starting to feel like a "normal" person again.
The areas where the shingles blisters were, are areas that have hurt on and off for years. Maybe the virus wasn't completely dormant. I hope it is now.
I was really tired during the Shingles but now I feel surprisingly good.
Many thanks to everyone who sent me their concern and well wishes when I was miserable. You also did a great job correctly diagnosing my problem!
hatsnscarfs
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Just curious, did you take an antiviral for the shingles? Glad you are feeling so well.
Posts: 554 | From Naples, Italy | Registered: Jun 2006
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I wonder if you were on antivirals too. My LLMD mentioned that Valtrex can be an importent component for healing for some.
Posts: 222 | From Santa Cruz Mountains, CA USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
I did not take Valtrex or anything else except codeine (Tylenol 3) at night.
I read Valtrex needs to be taken in the first 24 hours. Some sources say 48 hours. The first few days I thought I had a heat rash. It was 97 degrees out and the rash started as little dots. It got more blistered on the 3rd and 4th day (Kind of like poison ivy) but it wasn't until the 5th day that some additional patches appeared that were in a line with the others. That's when it became clear it was Shingles, too late for anti virals.
My LLMD gave me a prescription for Neurontin. I read up on it and was concerned because it can cause mood changes, depression & suicidal thoughts. It also takes a while to take effect. I decided I couldn't risk anything that might adversely affect my mood. Miraculously, I've been in a really good place mentally despite all the crap I've been going through. I decided not to take Neurontin.
I figured if the pain got unbearable during the day I could take codeine which I tolerate really well. The pain always got worse at night so I took codeine before bed. I woke up relatively clearheaded.
I read about a diet to minimize shingles. Naturopaths recommend avoiding foods that contain arginine (which the virus needs to thrive) and increasing intake of foods containing Lysine. After a little searching I found a chart that told the actual content of Lysine & Arginine in various foods.
I followed this diet and think it helped. I cut back on high Arginine: tea, nuts, chickpeas, rice, tomatoes, mushrooms, sesame...
I increased my intake of meat, eggs, fish, beans, potatoes. As usual I ate lots of vegetables.
I soaked in Epsom Salts every day and showered several times a day with whatever temperature felt best; sometimes cool, sometimes hot. I avoided wearing clothes whenever possible (this meant staying home)! I drank tons of water as usual.
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