Re: Chicken Pox virus _Shingles

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy

Yes, you should be worried about Shingles. Is there a reason your co worker

is not on meds? Shingles is very painful and needs immediate treatment with

an anti viral med. If she has a rash she is contagious. She should not be

around any pregnant women. So be sure you do not touch anything she comes in

contact with.

I had Shingles in May and it was my second time. So you can get it more

than once. There are vaccinations out and it is advised that you get it.

My hubby got his vac as soon as he could when we found out I had it.

In 1995 I had my first Shingles and it was on the back of my neck and on my

left shoulder. At first it was just lumps the size of a quarter. The pain

went down my left arm and it hurt for a good 6 months. It was a pain that

felt like I had been bruised or beaten all down my shoulder and upper arm.

At that time I was treated within 3 days of the start of the rash with

antiviral meds. It was an awful experience.

Then this May I started having awful pain on my right hip and mid back and

my buttocks. It was a tingling feeling first, then the rash came. I had

awakened to a severe feeling of having a bad bruise on my hip. Then I saw

the rash. The pain went down my leg and I could hardly walk. So I went to

my doc and she said Shingles again. She gave me the antiviral meds and then

she decided that since my immune system was so low that she would give me a

shot of prednisone, a Kenalog shot. I must say that I did heal faster that

my first time in 1995. My other doc gave me Lyrica for the nerve pain, but

the constipation was severe so I stopped it.

Things to know about Shingles:

You can get it more than once, some people get it many times.

Also, you can get it at any age, young and old.

You can even get it if you have been vaccinated because there are many

different types of the virus.

Get immediate treatment within the first three days of the rash appearing.

Insist on this quick treatment.

Treatment is with an anti viral med. Take the added Prednisone shot if your

immune system is very weak. I healed faster with this shot.

Sometimes they offer Lyrica for the nerve pain. I had severe constipation

with this med and it made me feel tired. Use with caution.

Also, high doses of Vitamin C help.

There is a lot of info on the web searches for this. Be informed.

Let us know how this works out for you.

Blessings

Priscilla

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

One of my coworkers just told me she's got shingles. I'm on Remicade and

Immuran (both shut down your immune system). Should I be concerned that

she's at work and not medicated yet? I don't know enough about shingles. Any

comments?