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

The first few years I had symptoms of AS (was DXed with RA at the time but that's another story) I had bouts of shingles for a period of three years, hit about every six weeks to three months, and that was before they had meds for shingles. It was in an odd place, circling the ring finger of my right hand, and my whole arm would swell up and big red streaks would go all the way up my arm and the whole arm felt like heavy lead. It was part of the old autoimmune reaction, happy to say I haven't had to battle them since. Shingles is a lefover from chickenpox, the virus lives in your body (in your brain stem to be exact) and when your immune system is compromised it can trigger a nasty attack of shingles. While not contagious per se - - to other people - - you can transfer it to other parts of your body, so be very careful with your eyes, you don't want to infect them!!!! And get to the doctor, the sooner you start the meds the shorter the course of the condition.

Cheryl

Dogs don't want to know about every other dog you've been with

Denise, get to the docs immediately - if you start oral acyclovir (or equivalent) ASAP after the rash starts it will have a dramatic effect on the outcome. The sooner it's started the better, I cannot emphasise that enough. Oral meds are the best treatment, but you may get issued with a cream as well, it oftens helps the healing process.

My partner got shingles one Easter weekend, he was going to wait until the Tuesday, but I packed him off to the docs, and the minimal delay is it presenting and getting treated was a big factor in it healing up and hime getting no further problems. Post-herpetic neuralgia is a hideous pain, which can last for up to, and sometimes over, two years. He didn't get any pain afterwards whatsoever. Prompt treatment should ensure this in your case too. Get to the docs Denise!!!!!!!

(BTW, whilst the shingles is still 'wet', the exudate is highly infectious. Make sure you wear something that covers the area in bed, use fresh towels then wash them, wash your hands often, all standard preventative stuff like that. Especially DO NOT touch your eyes, as it can readily spread).

Take care,

Jan

At the suggestion of some of you, I did go to the doctor... and I do have shingles... just another part on the ongoing saga.. He said I would be in more pain had I not already been taking neurontin..

It is the strangest thing...shingles... the way the virus travels along a nerve pathway..The doctor was thinking I had two separate dermatomes involved.. but looked at his map and realized it is the same... I have a patch on my back and one under my arm.. and it's the same nerve path.

The worst part about it is I can't be around my new grandson until I am well..because he can get chickenpox from me.. How weird is that??

I'm taking it easy for a few days.. I did come to work today but not pushing too hard.

Hope everyone else is having a good day...

Peace, Love and Joy..

You have all my sympathy, I remember my bouts with it and I had two young children at the time and it was on my right hand I too could follow the nerve path - - right up my right arm, big red streak. Hopefully the meds will shorten the length of the wretched thing. And yep, chickenpox, same virus, as they say unlike love herpes (and by extension chickenpox) is forever Are you still taking the Neurontin? I was put on it for referred nerve pain from a damaged disc (L5) and it made me hyper and gave me insomnia so I had to quit. It's supposed to make a person sleepy!

Cheryl



Dogs don't care what you look like in the morning

Cheryl..

Yes.. I'm still on neurontin, prescribed for nerve pain in my thigh.. although I told the doctor I am having more problems with numbness in my thigh.. the pain is due to enthesitis in my knee..

The neurontin makes me feel very weird and disoriented.. It's almost like an out-of-body experience.. I'm only taking it at bedtime.. I would be afraid to drive during the day if I took it then..

Denise