Shingles

[zaphod42]

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.

[zaphod42]

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:

• 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

Less effective: calamine lotion, ibuprofen tablets.

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.

[zaphod42]

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.