Shingles

[Humpy D]

My FiL was diagnosed with shingles last week. He's 77 and can't be classed as being in good health, his kidneys having failed some 6 years ago and he has to undergo dialysis 3 times a week.

He was prescribed medication for the shingles but then on Sunday started to act oddly, having hallucinations and started to jerk. On Monday he was worse so an ambulance was called and he has since been in a neuro critical ward. On Christmas Day he wasn't too bad - he would respond to questions and we could understand what he was saying but since then it's been downhill. We were told that he had a seizure yesterday but they have ruled out a bleed in the brain. Just been told that he is undergoing a lumbar puncture now. Suspect they are looking to see if he is suffering from encephalitis.

It's heartbreaking to see him suffering but the obvious question is whether he will come out of it the other side and if so in what state? I know nobody can possibly answer this question but wondered if any PH'er had undergone anything similar and what the outcome was, good or bad.

Thanks all.

[theshrew]

I've had shingles speaking to other people who have had them people have different experiences. Mine was fecking painfull some people said it wasn't to bad. I think it also depends on where you get them.

I didn't have any other issues with it tbh but I was in my late 20's when I had them so can't help any further.

Hope the old fella is ok

[BarryP]

I had shingles last year, started off as a slight pain in my back just below the shoulder blade, the following day the pain had gone across my body and was causing a reaction right through my chest,it was an intense pain which prevented sleep and a normal day, this was followed up by reddening of the skin and a rash in the affected area. The GP prescribed anti viral drugs but the pain persisted for about 6 weeks, gradually improving slowly throughout that time. It now causes itching in the area when I get hot or have been sitting in a car for a long period of time pressing against the affected region. Fortunately no serious long time effects, it sounds very much as though your relation has had a reaction to the drugs prescribed rather than the actual Shingles causing the problem.

[steveT350C]

Shingles is a flare up of the chicken pox virus. Relatively new treatment...

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/sh...

[toastybase]

It's when you get them in the bum, that's when it's a real problem..

[grumbledoak]

No mate, it's when the flare up is on the optical nerve branch and scars your retina, that's when it's a real problem.

[BlackVanDyke]

Ouch. I'm really sorry to hear of his troubles.

There are a very large number of people walking around enjoying their lives who have had encephalitis and have recovered without any permanent change. There are also a number of people who sustained some damage but continue to enjoy the things that matter. I'm not sure anyone other than his neurologist could possibly tell you which of many possible outcomes is the most likely for your FIL.

He has my very best wishes for a full and fast recovery.

[Humpy D]

Thanks for the messages of support.

Unfortunately there is no change and he remains unconscious. Despite having a couple of lumbar puncture's and an MRI they are still no nearer to diagnosing what is wrong with him. What they have said though is that they have asked for our consent to allow them not to resuscitate him as they say his quality of life will be very low. To me this sounds as if he has suffered permanent brain damage already as although his brain could be damaged further if he stops breathing any further damage would depend on how quickly they resuscitate him.

Whatever though, doesn't sound good for the old chap.

[grumbledoak]

Not sounding good.

I would keep a hold of the prescription/meds packaging; this doesn't sound like the Shingles itself did this.

[Humpy D]

Oddly enough, the warnings on the medication he was prescribed for shingles say that the side effects include hallucinations, convulsions and brain and central nervous problems (amongst other things).

This was pointed out to the nursing staff but I understand they are still giving it to him albeit at a lower dose and intravenously.

I have absolutely no medical background so I have to believe that my FiL is being treated as well as he can be.