Anybody ever had shingles?

I have no suggestions, excpet that you need to do what the doctor tells you to do and get some rest and relaxation. Love Ya Dear, Get Better Soon!!!! Shelia

I didn't know that stress alone would cause you to have them. I thought you had to be exposed to them. My dad had a horrible case a few years back. The doc claims he contracted them through my neice who had just taken her chicken poc immunization shot only 15 minutes before giving my dad a hug. It was mostly on his neck and shoulder and some even in his ear. The doc prescribed him Valtrex and some pain medicine along with some Valium because shingles is actually on your nerves. My dad has probably taken 3 tylenols his whole life but boy was he clinging heavily to the pain meds. He was a very miserable person for about 3 weeks. It took him  a week before he would finally go to the doctor. If he had gone earlier it would have been easier to sustain. Make sure you stay on top of things and DON"T scratch! Stay calm and get plenty of rest. I feel so bad for you after seeing what my dad went through. Hang in there Paula! You'll make it! Melissa

Okay, I better clarify. I was being sarcastic when I said I gave them to myself.  I say that because I am the one that lets myself get stressed.  I am the one allowing the stress in my life.  Unhealthy stress.  I guess i feel if I had been handling the stress better, I wouldnt have gotten them.  So its my fault.  Right? Anyone who has had chicken pox can have the shingles from stress.  The virus lays dormant until something pushes its buttons and it takes off.  And adults can contract it from children with chicken pox, but I do not know all the info on that. The doc said it was in early stages (yay!) and gave me Valtrex(antiviral) Lidocaine Patches and Valium.  I can only take the valium at nite when i sleep cuz I still gotta work.  The patches helped alot today after my boss accidentally smacked my back causing me to almost pass out.  I am really tired and turning in for the nite. THanks for the love ya'll.  I really appreciate it

Hey Paula,   Sorry to hear about your pain and woes!  Hope by the time you read this , the meds have kicked in and you are feeling better.  While you're in the depths of shingle pain, think of a more healthy way to deal with your stress.  I know, better said than done.  My stress usually manifests in my GI tract!  Not pretty!  Anyway, hope this passes quickly and your up and about soon.  Take care

I'm glad you got something to help with the pain from the shingles. Now if we can find something to take care of the pain who smacked your back.  Ya want I should come kick their shins? I got some real pointy toed shoes I can do it with. I would totally do it for you! Hope you start feeling better real soon.