Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Shingles help

Hope you are feeling better soon, and [**BLEEP**] all you want! lol That is what we are here for...to support eachother.

Amy:)

Don't worry! I am going to try to see my GP tomorrow sometime, if he returns my messages. I just can't take any painkillers to make the hour drive out there, so that could be interesting. Honestly, I really don't know what they could do for me at the ER - we're already doing everything. I absolutely hate going to ERs because I always come out worse than when I go in. "Trying" stuff on me always ends in disaster they way I'm alleric or react to everything. I'd rather be cautious about this than treat it aggressively, if you know what I mean. I think it might be a good time for an IV dose of antivirals though...

I'm flying westjet, so I can cancel at any time (bless those westjet people).
I MADE Glen get on the plane tonight to Palm Springs to go to his business trip - I'm supposed to follow him on Monday. Honestly, I'd love to have him here, but he can't do anything to make me better, and I'd rather not feel badly for sleeping for the next 3 days and not having to worry if I stink or have bad breath, or keep the house clean is a bonus! ha! I'm going to watch chick flicks too. So there. hehe

For now, I just hope the virus stops making new appearances, after 4 days of antivirals, you'd think it would. It's travelled more than Glen has tonight, I think.

Meggie, chick flicks will cure anything, I just know it!!!

Please let us know how it goes with your doctor. I wouldn't even wait for him to return your call. Just get in the car and go. Surely he'll take one look at you and realize you didn't show up in his office because you wanted to go on a joy ride.

Warm hugs,

Megan - it doesn't clear up quickly - my mother and my son have had shingles and both were in pain for weeks.

I'm sorry to tell you this but you do need to get checked, especially if the nerve pain is in your face. Both my mother and son had it limited to their trunk area.

How miserable for you on top of everything else. I'm so sorry.

Meagan, I had shingles a couple of years ago. I managed ok for a week or so then it laid me out. I had to go to a hospital emergency room. Do not treat this too lightly. George

Megan -I am sorry that you are dealing with this. My husband had it a few years ago and he was miserable - you are not being a baby! I agree with others who are telling you to get this checked out again before you leave the country. Preferably, you should see your Rheumatologist who Rx'ed the Enbrel or you GP who is familiar with your history. You are "biologically-modified" ... You may not respond to the anti-virals and standard ER treatment plan the way someone else would. You may need a different treatment plan.

Also, I am hesitant to tell you this, but you might not be able to travel internationally with active shingles. You are contagious to others as chicken pox - especially babies, the elderly and immune suppressed patients. "Shingles is contagious to people that have not previously had chickenpox, as long as there are new blisters forming and old blisters healing. Once all of the blisters are crusted over, the virus can no longer be spread." (http://www.medicinenet.com/shingles/article.htm) The fact that you are on anti-virals may change that, but I don't really know ... and I wouldn't expect customs or the airline to know either. My 8 year old nephew was barred from flying from the US to England until all of his chicken pox blisters were crusted over. He had a very mild case, but the airline noticed. (It was not a very pleasant experience to be singled out and taken off the plane.)

I hope you can get in to see your MD today.

Yay!!! I'm CRUSTY!!! lol I never thought I'd be so happy to admit I'm crusty.
Think I've turned a corner. New ones stopped popping up, and old ones are healing. And I'm not getting any more blisters in places that started hurting yesterday. Still loaded on painkillers though.

Yay!! Oh thank goodness Megan, you had me all worried over here. Crusty has never looked so pretty I bet!

hugs!

OK, only here could someone say that and have it be something to celebrate!!

I'm so relieved to hear it, Meggie. Hopefully, by Monday you'll be even further along the road to recovery.

Warm hugs,

Yep. I'm pretty happy about it.

By the way, I still haven't heard back from my rheumatologist or GP, even after calling a few times, and leaving messages on voicemail and with secretaries. Glen's been calling them too - from California. Good to know my docs care.