Discussion
Ok, do I've had it before, but that was 15 years go.
It's back and bloody hell it hurts. Have caught it early enough for anti-virals (5 x 800mg per day) which should reduce the impact overall.
Also have cocodomol, ibuprofen and other over the counter stuff. Tried high strength ibuprofen gel as well.
Any old wives tales or other things I can try to lesson the pain? It's on my back across one side, and driving me to distraction.
It's back and bloody hell it hurts. Have caught it early enough for anti-virals (5 x 800mg per day) which should reduce the impact overall.
Also have cocodomol, ibuprofen and other over the counter stuff. Tried high strength ibuprofen gel as well.
Any old wives tales or other things I can try to lesson the pain? It's on my back across one side, and driving me to distraction.
Tramadol is the best painkiller short of Morphine from which it was derived.
The Docs believe it is not addicted. It was developed to be non addictive.
I have taken it occasionally of and on as needed and it is by far the best painkiller. You will need a prescription. It has not been addictive to me.
I also wonder if Volterol gel might reduce the inflammation and pain. Available over the counter.
Tramadol is your best bet I think
The Docs believe it is not addicted. It was developed to be non addictive.
I have taken it occasionally of and on as needed and it is by far the best painkiller. You will need a prescription. It has not been addictive to me.
I also wonder if Volterol gel might reduce the inflammation and pain. Available over the counter.
Tramadol is your best bet I think
Had my first and hopefully only bout of shingles earlier this year - you have my sympathies! Good that you got to the GP in time for the antivirals.
Take your aciclovir, get a shedload of calamine lotion to dab on the rash and keep the bottle in the fridge so it's nice and cold.
Talk to your GP if you can't manage the pain with whatever resources you can get hold of, they'll be able to put you on something more effective.
It's much harder to get addicted to opioids/opiates than people think - the evidence shows basically that as long as you only EVER take enough to control the pain and no more, you'll almost certainly be fine. Problems come when someone keeps taking the painkillers once the pain's got better, or doesn't reduce the dose as it improves.
Take your aciclovir, get a shedload of calamine lotion to dab on the rash and keep the bottle in the fridge so it's nice and cold.
Talk to your GP if you can't manage the pain with whatever resources you can get hold of, they'll be able to put you on something more effective.
It's much harder to get addicted to opioids/opiates than people think - the evidence shows basically that as long as you only EVER take enough to control the pain and no more, you'll almost certainly be fine. Problems come when someone keeps taking the painkillers once the pain's got better, or doesn't reduce the dose as it improves.
Steffan said:
Tramadol is your best bet I think
Another vote for Tramadol, very effective.Try to steer clear of Codeine based stuff like Cocodomol, it bungs you up big style.
Five days is a long time to go without a sheite I can tell you, as I can testify, laying a girder at the end of it will not be pain free.
pacman1 said:
Steffan said:
Tramadol is your best bet I think
Another vote for Tramadol, very effective.Try to steer clear of Codeine based stuff like Cocodomol, it bungs you up big style.
Five days is a long time to go without a sheite I can tell you, as I can testify, laying a girder at the end of it will not be pain free.
Next time you're prescribed any opiate or opioid (and yes Tramadol does it too), ask the pharmacist for something to help avoid the constipation. Lactulose would do the trick for the vast majority. Take a bit every time you take a pill. Job jobbed.
Pun absolutely intended.
Thanks all.
Feeling a bit better - first 7 days of pain seems to have peaked. I've been off work (and in fact, not allowed to fly - or go into the office so kind of had that decision made for me), not that I would have been any use to anyone.
Pain has subsided to a constant irritation and burning now, about 3-4 on the 1-10 scale. It peaked at about 7, felt like someone was using a sharp filleting knife to remove the skin from my back. Had it got any worse, I would have gone for something stronger.
I've been using:
Been trying to give myself an 6-8hr window in the evening without any pain killers so that I can see how bad it is.
Feeling a bit better - first 7 days of pain seems to have peaked. I've been off work (and in fact, not allowed to fly - or go into the office so kind of had that decision made for me), not that I would have been any use to anyone.
Pain has subsided to a constant irritation and burning now, about 3-4 on the 1-10 scale. It peaked at about 7, felt like someone was using a sharp filleting knife to remove the skin from my back. Had it got any worse, I would have gone for something stronger.
I've been using:
- The antivirals - seem to have caught the window for them - certainly stopped the spread
- Co-codomol (with caffeine in the daytime), caffeine free at night (I'm sensitive to caffeine and fine the 'with caffeine' kills the pain but keeps me awake... (no issues on being bunged up... but thanks for the advice)
- 10% Ibuprofen gel
Been trying to give myself an 6-8hr window in the evening without any pain killers so that I can see how bad it is.
The antivirals won't work unless given really quickly. Quicker than you can be diagnosed in my case. I was lucky not to lose the sight in one eye.
And you can take more painkillers than it says on the pack (about double) but make sure you ask your doctor. They don't work though; the virus is already in your nerves. It's Herpes Zoster (Chicken Pox).
And you can take more painkillers than it says on the pack (about double) but make sure you ask your doctor. They don't work though; the virus is already in your nerves. It's Herpes Zoster (Chicken Pox).
grumbledoak said:
The antivirals won't work unless given really quickly. Quicker than you can be diagnosed in my case. I was lucky not to lose the sight in one eye.
And you can take more painkillers than it says on the pack (about double) but make sure you ask your doctor. They don't work though; the virus is already in your nerves. It's Herpes Zoster (Chicken Pox).
Agreed that they don't work; they take the edge off but nothing more.And you can take more painkillers than it says on the pack (about double) but make sure you ask your doctor. They don't work though; the virus is already in your nerves. It's Herpes Zoster (Chicken Pox).
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