SHINGLES!!! 7-1/2 months after surgery

I have shingles and the area is so painful!! Anyone else have a problem with shingles or immune problems since surgery? I have had a rash under my breasts on and off for months that goes away with antibiotic treatment, but this time it was different and didn't get better with the medicine prescribed by the doctor. Yesterday, I went back after going to the doctor twice last week. The rash had spread and blistered all around where my bra strap is. The worst part is on my back where there are no blisters. Apparently, the nerve is what hurts, which extends from my breastbone all the way around to my back. My doctor even had me get a back x-ray last week, because my middle back was in such pain. She said the back pain is probably from the shingles and that the shingles probably erupted because of the stress of surgery, losing all the weight and changes to the body from this new lifestyle... SueZ

Wow Sue. I'm so sorry you're going through that. There's no question that losing weight fast is a real adjustment to your body's normal routine. I hope that you get better soon.

Thanks, Janet!

I am praying for you, Sue. I have not experienced such problems, but it sounds horrific. I am sorry that you are going throught that. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Hugs, Tracy

Hi Sue, I feel for you...I had shingles several years ago, pre WLS....yes, I have an autoimmune, lupus...although at that stage they thought I had rheum. arth...anyway, You probably already know this, but for others....shingles is the same virus as chickenpox, herpes...after you have chickenpox, the virus does not go away, rather goes dormant in your body...sometimes never to be heard from again...in the case of shingles, that virus becomes active again, but not over the entire body, rather it follows ONE nerve....but nerves are very long so it can affect a rather large area....no one is sure why the virus becomes active again...although there are LOTS of theories...typically stress does play a part, whether emotional or physical. Mine was in my arm pit, down my arm into my hand AND up over my breast, up my neck and started on my face...that got my docs attention...eyes and shingles (or herpes) does NOT mix well. Anyway, the only way I can explain the pain...felt like my bones were on fire...and it is weird...because it is in the nerve, the NERVE is highly sensitive...someone walking by me would create a slight breeze...that would set off the pain... NOT fun at all....btw, until you get a few days of drugs into your system you are congatious for chickenpox....I had 2 pregnant women in my office...my doctor wouldn't even let me go back in to my office to retrieve my stuff...an office mate walked everything out to me....my office called myt typhoid mary for some time.... Also, the great thing about the new chicken pox vaccine...No more chickenpox OR shingles....never get chickenpox you can't get shingles!!! I feel so bad for you...what day are you on? The first two weeks were the worse, each few days after that got better...but it took me at least 2 months to feel GOOD. Best wishes for a speedy recovery...btw, please try and rest as much as you can....taking care of yourself helps your body fight off the virus. RAE

Hi Sue, Sorry to hear you have shingles! I had this breakout when I was 7 months pregnant! I tried to be a trooper and only used comfort measures for about 1 1/2 weeks because I didn't want our baby exposed to the drugs. Then I couldn't handle it anymore. I used an antiviral cream which wasn't the best but I felt there would be the least amount of absorption via this route. One of the best comfort measures I used was the shower. I would just bend over and let the water hit my back. For some reason this worked for me, although the water bill was through the roof!! Sorry I didn't see your post until now - I've been away from the computer for a little while. Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon. Sue