Have shingles again for the third. First time was when I was 16, last time about 7-8 years ago. This time on my left leg.

Too young for the vaccine, but based on what my in-laws said about the side effects, doesn't sound worth it.

Calling the doc in the morning to get my Valtrex started, but I always feel I need to stress with the pharmacist that it is for shingles, not the herp!

The other two times it wasn't bad. Irritating, but not painful. This time is more painful, using ibuprofen. Working so far, but the pain has increased.

The itching though I can't control. Tried oatmeal bath and calamine lotion to no avail. My kids are returning the favor from when they had chicken pox and yelling "don't scratch!" when they see my hand move.

Any recommendations for relieving the itch? Might try cortizon tomorrow.
What works once the ibuprofen stops working for pain?

How big of an area is it? Get gabapentin and lidocaine patches to go along with it. The lidocaine 4% is OTC. 5% is prescription. Probably not a significant difference. But gabapentin will be prescription. And definitely get on valtrex as soon as you can.

Also, you can still get the vaccine. However, since you just had shingles, probably can wait a good 5-8 years to get it, based on your history. And then, consider getting it every 8-10 years or so. If people give you crap for it, just get the chicken pox vaccine.

Try calling dermatologist? Maybe treating from the inside works better than topical stuff. I found out too late in life that Benadryl pills were the best for poison ivy.

Woke up at 4:30 from the itching.
Currently at the ER. The MTF couldn't get me in today, so nurse advise line sent me here.

Spread pretty good overnight on my leg. Entire leg has it, wrapped around calf.

Reading about it, supposed to be rare to get it multiple times. But here I am.

The vaccine, my in-laws said the first round sucked for a couple days, the 2nd round knocked them on their butts for a few days.

And yes, I know it is herpes zoster, but it isn't herpes simplex, which is the herp!

Are you at an MTF ER? If so, which one? Hopefully they got you in quick.

I'm 50, and I just got the vaccine for the second time. I got Shingles in my early 30's, and would never want to go through that again. I've never had a complication from the vaccine(s).

Balboa. The nurse triaged me on the phone so it was quicker than expected for the ER.

Started the Valtrex. It's been 72-96 hours since onset, so hoping it's early enough to reduce how long it lasts.

The irritation is killing me

Gotcha. I know some folks at the Balboa ED. Are you active duty? Hopefully they gave you gabapentin as well.

For itching, you can try over-the-counter topical creams containing hydrocortisone. Calamine lotion can also be effective. Also try to find some information on canada drugs website about other options if you need to. Make sure you also read about all the side effects which are possible. It is very important to pay attention at such a details.

They wouldn't. Doc just said to take zyrtec.

Don't think I'm over the hump yet. Lots of scabs, but still rash, itchy, and oddly three small areas on my other leg that looks/feels like shingles

Shingles suck. I've never had them but have been around a few. They are miserable. Does anyone know why they make you wait until you're 50 for the shot?

This is the worse case I've had yet. Dealing with it for a week, I'd take a rough day for the vaccine over this. My leg is rough!

southernboy1 said:

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Shingles suck. I've never had them but have been around a few. They are miserable. Does anyone know why they make you wait until you're 50 for the shot?

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Because that is what pharma decided to study and submit for FDA approval.

I had my 2nd dose last week and had a few days of pretty severe deltoid soreness but that is it. I did take naproxen every 12 hours for 3 days.

DMSO.

Had it 3 times in a year in my early 20s. The 1st 2 times I took whatever the doctor prescribed. It got better eventually but came back. A friend of mine recommended DMSO. I picked ip some roll on DMSO at a health store and applied it. Shingles were gone in 2-4 days (can't remember but it was super fast) and have never come back.

Ask a doc and they'll say absolutely not, but I think it's safe to say that most docs don't know **** but what their pharma rep has told them these days. We remember "safe and effective"

It was a miracle for me in my early 20s. That's my advice. Read up on it. Clean the area really well.

Day 11 since it probably started
Day 7 of Valtrex

The growth has slowed, still a couple of new places appeared. Mainly on one leg with a few spots on the other

Ankle has swollen now. Wearing jeans because noone wants to see my leg, but the jeans get nasty over the spot.

Taking 600 mg ibuprofen 2-3 times a day

This sucks.

Pro Sandy said:

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the jeans get nasty over the spot.

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I'm scared to ask what this means because it sounds painful.

Hope you heal up soon. I had a mild case a couple years ago and it was absolutely miserable. I couldn't sleep well b/c it was so painful to lay down on the affected areas. I'll get the vaccine as soon as I'm able. Never want to go through that again. I can't imagine how bad a normal case of shingles is based on my experience.

My wife had it twice at around age 40. We decided to go ahead and get the shot. Cna't remember if insurance gave her an exception or we just paid out of pocket.

At the urgent care in Corpus. Leg swollen pretty good from knee down. Ankle is indistinguishable. Pain continues with some pain that's probably lymph nodes. Still getting new bumps and rash. Nurse line sent me here.

Pro Sandy said:

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At the urgent care in Corpus. Leg swollen pretty good from knee down. Ankle is indistinguishable. Pain continues with some pain that's probably lymph nodes. Still getting new bumps and rash. Nurse line sent me here.

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Nurse advice line is pretty useless to be honest.

How much valtrex are you on currently? Should be 1000mg every 8 hours. Have seen it incorrectly dosed before.

That's my dosage. Last dose today.

Another round of Valtrex, lidocaine topical, and tramadol for pain

Pro Sandy said:

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Another round of Valtrex, lidocaine topical, and tramadol for pain

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Not sure why no one is giving you gabapentin. The virus lives in nerves, and gabapentin is a pain medication that focuses on nerve pain. Tramadol is a gross drug. You're better off just getting morphine.

Yesterday the NP at the urgent care said "you look miserable." It got worse before it got better.

Got to the hotel, took medicine, put the lidocaine on my leg, and all hell broke loose. Fever hit, got the shakes, alternated between freezing under a stack of blankets to burning up. Wife gave me some Tylenol and after about 4 or 5 hours of feeling like death was nearby, finally got some sleep.

Hurts to put weight on the leg because of the rash and stabbing. It is worse right below the knee, so I can't make my leg go straight or bend beyond 90. Will be a great day as I'm helping my dad pack up his house.

My oura ring usually says "so you didn't sleep so well..." today it said to just give up on everything. Resting heart rate stayed in the 70s-80s for a long time, finally bottomed out at 57 with an average of 66. I usually get into the upper 40s and average mid to low 50s. Body temp up. Respiration was up all night.

Swelling down slightly. Kept leg elevated on a pillow all night.

Was going to do two 5k races this weekend, but canceling those.

But I am about to go get some Shipley's, so life is actually pretty good.

That sounds very concerning for a secondary bacterial cellulitis. I would add bactrim, clindamcyin, or tetracycline for MRSA coverage.

KidDoc said:

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That sounds very concerning for a secondary bacterial cellulitis. I would add bactrim, clindamcyin, or tetracycline for MRSA coverage.

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Agree with this. Chills/fevers, with increased redness and swelling, sounds like cellulitis. Hard to say without seeing and touching it though. If you get more fevers, it continues to spread/become more tender, or it starts oozing pus, you definitely need antibiotics. Though strep could also be the culprit, not necessarily staph.

Been watching for that. Felt awful until about an hour ago when I threw up. I think it was the opioid making me sick. I'll stop taking that but definitely monitoring for the signs of cellulitis

Hopefully getting closer to the end. First day I haven't noticed any new spots. About half of the blisters finally scabbed over. Leg still swelled, my cankles are quite something, and driving cross country isn't helping. Lymph nodes in left leg still swollen and painful. But no streaking. Will try and go see the doctor on Monday for a follow up.

This round has been rough rough rough.