My Hubby got them last year and he too went to the Doctor all by his lonesome. He was in pain.

His started on his neck, just at the base of his head and went down his back. They gave him some meds (can't remember what they were, probably the same as your hubby) and some vicoden for pain. Once he got the meds, he felt better almost immediatly. They went away and he's never had another problem.

Aren't they actually a chicken pox virus?

Friend was telling me she had shingles, and thought cause she was on antiflammatory meds for another reason, her shingles weren't as severe.

That's just her thinking.

The viral cells can lie dormant for years, and become active in response to a lowered immunity, caused by any number of things. That's what I was told when I had a small outbreak on my abdomen while in Egypt. I thought it was a bite of some kind. Upon returning home, my Dr. said it was shingles. I was shocked. He said it's important to get it treated ASAP. One go around of medication, and it was gone. It may return at any time. Yes, it is from a childhood bought with chicken pox.

oops, that should be "bout with chicken pox"

Ohhh, I hope he's over it quickly. I've heard there is lots of pain with shingles.

Friend said when had them, was triggered by stress, so dr says, cause she lost her DD unexpectedly.

Sure hope your DH recovers quickly, Lori.

If he got the antiviral within a short time (how long--a day or two?) of the break-out, they will be gone quite quickly. Mine were gone within a week, but the doctor said I was still contagious so I stayed in for that week. Good luck!

Yes, I've heard it's very painful. I hope he gets over it quickly.

I get shingles on my right shoulder and torso. The Acyclovir antiviral works well, and your husband should continue that and also the topical cream to heal the blisters.

After he recovers, he needs to keep Acyclovir on hand, if at all possible. See if he can get a refill of the prescription to keep in the medicine chest. That way if he starts to have early signs of a recurrence in the future (pinpricks, itching, blisters forming) he can start taking it immediately and stop the virus from multiplying.

If your over 60 get a shingles vacine. Most insurance will cover it.
Sorry your DH has shingles, they can be very painful.
Donna

It is a dormant virus from the chicken pox! My mom broke out a few yrs. ago right after my brother passed away. Stress can bring it on. She had it severely and also on her head, eyes, ears, mouth... it was bad! It is measured in severity (not sure how they do it) but hers was about 50% over the severe rating. She looked and felt very bad. Lasted a long time, too. Months! This was about 6 yrs. ago and she breaks out in mini versions of the original every once in a while. For some reason, when the nerve path it takes happens to be on the face, it's the worse you can have.

My DD broke out with a few on her left side by her waistband. She was going to school, working as much as school allowed, and raising two kids. (one is 3, and quite a handful). She was under a lot of stress. So I agree with the thought of stress causing them. At least in her case.
Leslie

My husband had a case over his right forehead/eye and needed to see an eye specialist along with his MD. He thought for days that it was poison ivy (when I did not!). He was close to losing his eye, it got so bad. Thank goodness your DH went to the doctor soon.

DH spent about a month with symptoms that gradually got better. Hope his recovery is a short one!
Dee

Grandfather had them around his waste,very painful and because his was a severe case they lasted a long time.
Sorry your DH has them and hope he recovers quickly.

My 19 YO daughter had shingles-a painful rash on her abdomen. She thought it was some awful skin parasite. After about a week, she went to a dermatologist, who recognized what it was. It was too late for any treatment. It cleared up on its own. Good luck.

I heard so many people say how painful they can be and can last so long that I decided to get the vaccination. Pharmacy ordered it in middle of September and it didn't come in till mid December. It's supposed to last 10 years. My insurance paid the $170 for it. Dr tried to bill me for my copay but my insurance says no. I hope your DH is soon symptom free.

Shirley

Thanks everyone.
I like to hear stories from real people.
Google can't do that you know.

We got meds into husband in time as the outbreak, swelling and pain is subsiding. Good idea to keep a bottle of aclyvor around to take immediately.

I worry about his eye too.
He says the shooting pain in the eye is gone.
I guess I'll just have to believe him.
He's so contrary about these things....
I hope he doesn't have visions problems just because it's important he contradict me.

Thanks all!

Lori

I've had two stem cell transplants and out of every icky thing that could of happened to me I've only come away with ongoing shingle outbreaks.
Now after being cancer free for 8 yrs I see my oncologist twice a year. He's the head of oncology at Scripps San Diego. I asked him about getting a shingle shot and he told me that there is some risk, not all of the studies are showing that it is not fool proof and encouraged me to continue to use Acyclovir in pill form during my outbreaks until more studies are done.
I get symptoms a few times a year, and at first I couldn't figure out what the "itchy, burning" feeling was prior to blisters. Now I know within an hour and take my meds for a day or so.
If you take the Acylcovir within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms it lessens the outbreak. Every outbreak doesn't have to be so painful and long lasting :)
Good luck to your hubby!

My MIL had them on her forehead and into one eye. It left a scar on her eye but her vision seems to be OK. It was extremely painful for her and lasted a long time even after visible signs had disappeared. She had nerve pain for quite awhile in her face but so far has had no further flareups.

Now that I inadventerantly posted my answer on another thread...

OW, Lori. That's no fun for either of you...

A rural school here in Oklahoma closed last week because of a chicken pox outbreak. Strange, huh?

Hope things are normal for you soon!

Hugs to you both!
Keep the Acyclovir in the medicine cab!!!!!!!
I have scars all over my left arm!!

Apr 14, broke out, started treatment Apr 15. All left side of head,scalp, eye, ear. Have lost 80% vision in eye. Need surgery for muscles controlling pupil(won't undialate, if there is such a word). Need shingles/eye specialist in Oklahoma. Any of you Okies? Could use recommendation.