Shingles ??

[Catz]

Anyone suffered from it?

I've tried to do a search but the PH search isn't working.

Since Tuesday I've been feeling a bit "off", lymph nodes in my neck all swollen up and one side of my neck/scalp tender to the touch. I suffer from recurring dermatitis/psoriasis of the scalp so thought maybe that was what it was.

Yesterday the pain in that one side of my scalp/neck was so sore I could barely brush my hair plus I felt feverish so decided to visit my GP. He took my temp (39 degrees), had a look at my neck/scalp and said he couldn't see anything amiss but sent me home with some antibiotics (flucloxacillin) incase there was an underlying infection.

By this evening my temp has gone back to normal and I feel less feverish. However the areas of my neck/scalp/forehead that I can see, through my hair, are still tender and have raised up into an red angry looking rash. Now from looking at the NHS website shingles results in a blistery rash but maybe I've not reached that stage yet. That side of my scalp etc feels burning and as though lots of tiny pins are being jabbed into it.

I know self-diagnosis is a "bad thing" but does this sound like shingles?
If yes then should I bother visiting my GP again or just ride it out with the antibiotics?
I'm also meant to be attending a big family reunion where I know several haven't had chickenpox and believe the shingles virus can pass chickenpox onto them, possibly only by direct contact but nevertheless ...

Any thoughts appreciated.

[grumbledoak]

Yes, it does sound like it and, if it is, the antibiotics will do nothing at all. Do go see your GP. In all likelihood it's already too late for anti-virals so it'll just be the painkillers. Which will do nothing at all.

[Lost_BMW]

I've had it, more than once! Usually when stressed, over tired and run down.

Very painful, and the first time made me feel very unwell and sent my blood pressure sky high. If you do get the blisters/lesions try not to touch/rub/burst them! If 'it' gets into your eyes it can be bad news - my doctor sent me home with ointment with the rejoinder that if it did I had to return to the surgery and, "will be in an ambulance on your way to the DRI."

I was also forbidden from going back to work until all had 'dried up' in case I unwittingly came into contact with any pregnant woman who had not had chickenpox - the serious bit - as it can damage the foetus.

[littlegreenfairy]

You poor thing. Probably one of the worst illnesses ever.

Keep warm, lots of fluids and lots of rest. You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen together to provide continuous pain relief. Take them 2 hrs ape from each other then you don't get the dips. Can't promise it'll make you pain free but it'll take the edge off it.

Don't scratch either.

I find if I get really run down now my skin gets all tIngly and sore and very very tired.

Get better soon.

[The_Doc]

the rash must be on one side of the body only.

If it crosses the midline/both sides of face/both sides of neck, it's not shingles.

best wishes.

[ben_h100]

Had this as a youngster. You have my sympathy. I remember the pain when the sores were touched being paralysing.

[theshrew]

Yeah I've had it once and it was horrible even hurt just to have clothes or bed sheets touching the affected parts of my body. Really took it out of me for a week or so. One you can see the rash that's about 2/3rds the way through it or it was for me anyway.

As someone else said try not to scratch the area.

[Zad]

I had shingles a few years ago. Being down really does seem to bring it out of wherever it is hiding. Anyway, it was on my face, just under my right eye. I got to the GP just inside the 72 hr window and got anti-virals for it. Maybe it was on its way out anyway (I really don't think so) but the anti-virals started work within a couple of hours, and before the end of the day a lot of the heat and soreness had gone. Horrible experience.

[Catz]

Well the rash never turned into anything more serious so I don't know if this was shingles or just a weird scalp infection.
Maybe the antibiotics had some effect after all.

Almost back to normal so I'm not complaining!

[Funk]

Glad you're feeling better. I had shingles about 16 months ago and it's not nice at all. Knocked me sideways for several weeks. Didn't know what it was so was too late for anti-virals, just had to ride it out. Took 5-6 weeks to shake it completely.