Laura asks…
Do I have shingles? Or could it be something else?
For the last two days I have had a very annoying pain wrapping around my side. It’s only on my skin and is very sensitive and achy, ibuprophen doesn’t seem to take any of the pain away. Is this the start of shingles or could it be something else or nothing at all? I have looked at all the sites for symptoms of shingles, just wondering if anyone knew more…
No sharp pain just achy tender skin. What would it be if it did turn purple? :/
admin answers:
Yes, it could be shingles, but it’s impossible to diagnose it without the tell-tale skin rash. There is no valid blood test for it. But, it could be other things, such as a pinched nerve from a backbone disc problem, too.
George asks…
I have shingles and thrush, but I’m a “healthy” 43 yr old; also constant low-grade fever. Could it be cancer?
other symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, IBS, recent rapid weight gain, fatigue and weakness, occasional vomiting sessions (last night vomiting and nausea for 8 hrs).
Also recently diagnosed hypertension, which is not being controlled very well by the beta blocker I take.
admin answers:
Sounds nothing like cancer. You have been diagnosed with an infection and need to keep seeing your doctor if treatments are not working.
Carol asks…
Shingles with no bumps?
Is it possible to have shingles with no blisters or bumps of any kind? I have several symptoms of shingles and I am a pretty good candidate to get it. I have lupus. I have also had chicken pox.
admin answers:
I think so. Check with your GP
Jenny asks…
can shingles effect your tailbone?
severe pain in the tailbone, walks with legs apart, slight extended belly, are these symptoms caused by shingles or something different!
P.S. no jokes this is a real medical condition i need to know about
admin answers:
Shingles can cause muscular pain and even bone pain yes- my mother has Parkinson’s and she landed with shingles 2 yrs ago, she was in AGONY- she had them on her chest mainly but also it went to her back and caused a great deal of discomfort. Cool compresses, keep them dry, there are many home remedies for shingles online-
Shingles are caused through the nervous system, it can cause many discomforts in various places- it is not uncommon to have muscle aches and spine pain.
Many hugs to the one who has these, lots of love is needed and sent your way.
Ruth asks…
Do I have shingles?
I have a small rash near my left hip and a small lump in my lymph node near my groin. My rash dosn’t hurt, it feels like a bug bit. The small lump in my groin, howerver, is tender to the touch. About four or five days after I found the bumps I got a seiously sick. Sever chills, heart palpatations, dizztness, and uncontrolable sweating, general acheness and my kidnies were sore. My doctor told me I had shingles, but my rash never hurt, it itched. I read up on Shingles, and my symptoms just don’t seem to match. Do I have shingels or something else?
admin answers:
Facts About Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
WHAT IS SHINGLES?
Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an attack of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the nerve tissue. As we get older, it is possible for the virus to reappear in the form of shingles. Shingles is estimated to affect 2 in every 10 people in their lifetime. This year, more than 500,000 people will develop shingles. Fortunately, scientists are doing research to find a vaccine to prevent the disease.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING SHINGLES?
Although it is most common in people over age 50, if you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for developing shingles. Shingles is also more common in people with weakened immune systems from HIV infection, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, transplant operations, and stress.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SHINGLES?
Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching generally located on one side of the body or face. The pain can be severe. Rash or blisters are present anywhere from 1 to 14 days.
ARE OTHER COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SHINGLES?
Yes. If shingles appears on your face, it can lead to complications in your hearing and vision. For instance, if shingles affects your eye, the cornea can become infected and lead to temporary or permanent blindness. Another complication of the virus is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition where the pain from shingles persists for months, sometimes years, after the shingles rash has healed.
IS THERE A CURE OR TREATMENT FOR SHINGLES?
There is no cure for shingles, but the severity and duration of an attack of shingles can be significantly reduced if you are treated immediately with antiviral drugs, which include acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famcyclovir. Antiviral drugs may also help stave off the painful
after-effects of PHN. Other treatments for PHN include painkillers, steroids, antidepressants, and antiseizure medicine.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct shingles research in NIH laboratories and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Current research is aimed at finding new methods for treating shingles and its complications.
IS THERE A VACCINE TO PREVENT SHINGLES?
In May 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved use of a vaccine to prevent shingles. The vaccine, called Zostavax, is recommended for people 60 years of age and older who have had chickenpox but who have not had shingles. Researchers estimate the vaccine could prevent 250,000 cases of shingles that occur in the United States each year and significantly reduce the severity of the disease in another 250,000 cases annually.
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