And How do you spell Herpes zoster?

[Guest guest]

Well, it seems like if it is out there, I will catch it. I see my

PCP at 3:30PM today. Symptomes started with extreme pain in my arm

and shoulder. Assumed it was just related to a flare since my

Remicade is due this week and I always start acting up around week 5

of 6. Today, I am getting pustules on my arm around the elbow.

Called my Hematologist since I had an epogen shot last week and

wanted to make sure that it was not related. The pustules became

more apparent by the time his nurse called me back. He thinks it

sounds like Shingles and I need to see my PCP today. The pustules

did not show up until this morning, so when my arm pit started aching

last night I thought the worse, lymphoma, so I should hope that it is

only shingles. However, it could also be a staph infection. We

shall see. Let's see, which could be worse, Shingles or Staph?

Bad part is that I will miss staying on track with my Remicade again

and have to halt my Imuran.

For those of you who know me, I am not easily discourged. But just

for once I wish I could get cut a break once in awhile.

Tom

ps Say a little pryaer that my lungs don't get sour while off my

drugs. (This will pass and I will be my old optimistic self again.)

[Guest guest]

Well, confirmed that it is indeed shingles. They put me on an anti-

viral (Valtrex) Hopefully will clear in 7 days. Have already re-

scehduled my remicade for 12/24 at 8AM (nice christmas present)

I have been able to handle most of my stills pain, but amazingly this

is much worse, for me anyway. They say the virus just sits on your

nerve endings chewing happily away. I believe it.

Tom

>

> Tom,

>

> How about we wish it to be inflamed pimples? LOL. Kidding my

friend. I

> really wish you could get a break for a long time. It's just been

one

round

> after another for you and you deserve better, hell, everyone does.

Our

> thoughts are with you and please let us know.

>

> Lots of special hugs,

>

>

>

> _____

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, confirmed that it is indeed shingles. They put me on an anti-

viral (Valtrex) Hopefully will clear in 7 days. Have already re-

scehduled my remicade for 12/24 at 8AM (nice christmas present)

I have been able to handle most of my stills pain, but amazingly this

is much worse, for me anyway. They say the virus just sits on your

nerve endings chewing happily away. I believe it.

Tom

>

> Tom,

>

> How about we wish it to be inflamed pimples? LOL. Kidding my

friend. I

> really wish you could get a break for a long time. It's just been

one

round

> after another for you and you deserve better, hell, everyone does.

Our

> thoughts are with you and please let us know.

>

> Lots of special hugs,

>

>

>

> _____

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tom,

My name is and I am one of the new kids on the block. Sorry you are

having a bad time, but trust me from a medical stand point you would rather have

the shingles, it usually can be treated quickly with antivirals. A staph

infection can become complicated and spread into your blood stream quickly, if

its a simple case a good course of antibiotics will due the trick. You know with

all the meds we get put on lowers your immunity greatly sometimes things that

are simple for a normal, healthy person becomes a nightmare for us. I hope you

get a good report and get things cleared up quickly.

Lots of good thoughts sent your way,

________________________________

To: Stillsdisease

Sent: Monday, December 1, 2008 1:35:28 PM

Subject: And How do you spell Herpes zoster?

Well, it seems like if it is out there, I will catch it. I see my

PCP at 3:30PM today. Symptomes started with extreme pain in my arm

and shoulder. Assumed it was just related to a flare since my

Remicade is due this week and I always start acting up around week 5

of 6. Today, I am getting pustules on my arm around the elbow.

Called my Hematologist since I had an epogen shot last week and

wanted to make sure that it was not related. The pustules became

more apparent by the time his nurse called me back. He thinks it

sounds like Shingles and I need to see my PCP today. The pustules

did not show up until this morning, so when my arm pit started aching

last night I thought the worse, lymphoma, so I should hope that it is

only shingles. However, it could also be a staph infection. We

shall see. Let's see, which could be worse, Shingles or Staph?

Bad part is that I will miss staying on track with my Remicade again

and have to halt my Imuran.

For those of you who know me, I am not easily discourged. But just

for once I wish I could get cut a break once in awhile.

Tom

ps Say a little pryaer that my lungs don't get sour while off my

drugs. (This will pass and I will be my old optimistic self again.)

[Guest guest]

I feel for you, Tom, as I have had shingles before.  It can be very painful. 

Sometimes, I still have some residual nerve pain from it.  I had mine on my back

& chest.

 

Feel better soon...

Gail (KY)

Subject: And How do you spell Herpes zoster?

To: Stillsdisease

Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 2:35 PM

Well, it seems like if it is out there, I will catch it. I see my

PCP at 3:30PM today. Symptomes started with extreme pain in my arm

and shoulder. Assumed it was just related to a flare since my

Remicade is due this week and I always start acting up around week 5

of 6. Today, I am getting pustules on my arm around the elbow.

Called my Hematologist since I had an epogen shot last week and

wanted to make sure that it was not related. The pustules became

more apparent by the time his nurse called me back. He thinks it

sounds like Shingles and I need to see my PCP today. The pustules

did not show up until this morning, so when my arm pit started aching

last night I thought the worse, lymphoma, so I should hope that it is

only shingles. However, it could also be a staph infection. We

shall see. Let's see, which could be worse, Shingles or Staph?

Bad part is that I will miss staying on track with my Remicade again

and have to halt my Imuran.

For those of you who know me, I am not easily discourged. But just

for once I wish I could get cut a break once in awhile.

Tom

ps Say a little pryaer that my lungs don't get sour while off my

drugs. (This will pass and I will be my old optimistic self again.)

[Guest guest]

Tom, I'm so sorry you felt the need to one-up everyone again with your

medical shenanigans! *hugs* I remember my grandfather getting shingles, and

it sucked.

Please take care of you, okay? 7 days... you can make it. Just try to ignore

the 'nom nom nom' sounds as your nerves are nibbled.

*hugs for Unca Fuzzy*

[Guest guest]

Tom,

I've had that same feeling lately. Can't I just have six months

straight on my meds so I can get some things done and work on my body!

Nooooooooo, that can't happen, not at all. (I'm off my meds now with

the same 'ol crap I get in my lungs twice a year).

Let us know what they say. I would personally choose Staph, unless it's

the really bad staph. People with shingles potentially have issues for

life, we don't need more of that. I think they both sound bad, so

let's hope it's not either!

Houston, TX