...but I didn't, and now I have shingles. Please, dear readers, if you had chicken pox as a child, ask your doctor if you are a candidate for the shingles vaccine, especially if you're over 60. Several months ago, Mom started asking me if I'd had the shingles vaccine. I hadn't, but I wasn't too concerned, because I've always been fairly healthy. That means nothing! The chicken pox virus lies dormant in your body, and can rear its ugly head many years later, and that's what happened to me.
Easter morning, I woke up with what I thought were spider bites on my jaw line. I don't mind spiders, but I don't like being bitten by them, so Dave and I spent last week doing some deep cleaning just to make sure there weren't any colonies of the little creatures, especially in our bedroom... not a sign of a spider!
There were two odd things about my spider bites: they were spreading, and they didn't itch. By Thursday my "spider bites" were painful at times. Saturday morning I decided that spider bites shouldn't be causing pain. Luckily, I was able to get in to the doctor, and I was told that I have shingles.
I'm on medication, and I go back to the doctor on Wednesday for a check-up. I can't be at school, because the shingles blisters are not all scabbed over and I'm contagious to anyone who hasn't had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine. Mom told me that she knows of people who have been hospitalized because the pain was so intense. The blisters that have scabbed over are incredibly ugly, and I read that they can cause scarring. If you Google images of shingles, I think you will be as shocked as I was to see what could happen.
Please, please, please... check with your doctor to see if you should have the shingles vaccine!
Easter morning, I woke up with what I thought were spider bites on my jaw line. I don't mind spiders, but I don't like being bitten by them, so Dave and I spent last week doing some deep cleaning just to make sure there weren't any colonies of the little creatures, especially in our bedroom... not a sign of a spider!
There were two odd things about my spider bites: they were spreading, and they didn't itch. By Thursday my "spider bites" were painful at times. Saturday morning I decided that spider bites shouldn't be causing pain. Luckily, I was able to get in to the doctor, and I was told that I have shingles.
I'm on medication, and I go back to the doctor on Wednesday for a check-up. I can't be at school, because the shingles blisters are not all scabbed over and I'm contagious to anyone who hasn't had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine. Mom told me that she knows of people who have been hospitalized because the pain was so intense. The blisters that have scabbed over are incredibly ugly, and I read that they can cause scarring. If you Google images of shingles, I think you will be as shocked as I was to see what could happen.
Please, please, please... check with your doctor to see if you should have the shingles vaccine!
When I had shingles in my late forties I was lucky and got to the doctor early and was put on tablets. No such thing as vaccine in those days. They hurt and pull you down too. On the positive side - if you're a blood donor and can give blood within three months of having shingles they can use it for leukaemia patients. I was 'lucky' that I could do that and for measles a few years before shingles. SOOOO sorry, Diane - I know how horrid it is.
ReplyDeleteOuch!! Poor you Diane!!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry! Thinking of you....
ReplyDeleteI met a woman a couple years ago that had a meter connected to her to release pain killers into her system it was so bad. I will go and get vaccinated, thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I hope you have a mild case of this and feeling better soon will say a prayer for you:) keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteOh you poor dear! I had a small case of them a few months back so I have to wait to get the vaccine but, that small outbreak was enough for me to never want them again!!! My mom had a similar thing happen as you have back in the fall except her doctor miss diagnosed her as spider bites and she did not get the medicine early enough.(looked all over for the spider too and did some major cleaning turning up nothing) She had a great deal of pain and is still experiencing numbness in her ear. She was so bad I could hardly recognize her as my mom!!! Will be praying for you!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear. Hopefully it will be all over soon. My dad had a case while he was in the hospital with chemo for Leukaemia. Not 60 yet, but it is on the to do list when I get there.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have only a mild boat and feel better soon, good luck for Wednesday hope things improve soon
ReplyDeleteMargaret
Oh so sorry you are dealing with this.
ReplyDeleteI will take your message to heart and check with my doc.
I hope your case is mild and that you will heal quickly and well.
Get better quick! I am so sorry to hear you have shingles. It is such a nasty virus.
ReplyDeleteFox : (
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that. A neighbour of ours has a bad case of it at the moment too. I didn't realise there was a vaccine for it - thanks for telling us. I hope that now it has been diagnosed you'll soon be sorted out.
ReplyDeletePoor lambie! My dad had shingles last autumn and was is a lot of pain, so I know how miserable you must be. I feel fortunate in that my insurance will pay for the vaccine as soon as you turn 59, so I had mine shortly after my birthday. I hope the medication works for you -- worked wonders for dad.
ReplyDeleteOh Dear Diane. I do know the pain of Shingles and I have scarring on my face from them. Way back before a vaccine I got them so bad the doctor had never seen such a case. They were even inside my ear and I could feel them popping in searing pain. Please get better and keep your stress level down. Healing Energy for you my friend...
ReplyDeleteDo take care of yourself!! A friends husband had a case of shingles and it was left to long and he is now living with chronic pain! Glad you got in to see a doctor when you did!!
ReplyDeleteFor now you have more time for tatting!!
Kelly
Get well soon. :/ tat more to take your mind of it!
ReplyDeleteSending healing thoughts your way, Diane. I've been there. Hope you are not too uncomfortable that you cant tat. I'm sure the kids at school are missing you, so try to relax and focus on healing.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you from here for a speedy and complete healing!!
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I hope you'll be well very soon!
ReplyDeleteSooo sorry! I certainly hope this is a very mild case because shingles are NO FUN.
ReplyDeleteI had shingles a few years ago - close to 8 years ago I would guess. That would mean I was in my mid 40's so your advice should be amended to include anyone over 40.
My shingles experience was different - the pain started first and was so intense I thought I was going to die. I did try to go to the doctor as soon as I figured out what it was but the doctor wouldn't see me the first time I tried and by the time I was able to try again, it was too late. The pain lasted for weeks for me. I have known it to last longer for other folks.
ReplyDeleteDear Diane, the best remedy is resting! Please, do it,you will be surprised when you get back to school by the amount of knots the kids will have tatted for you.
Get well soon!
Awful - you have my sympathies. Both of us had shingles about the time of the big move, so perhaps stress plays a part. My pain was horrific, his wasn't, but five years later he is still suffering from what they call post-herpetic syndrome - it can be debilitating and has had an impact on our lives.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a vaccine!
Awful - you have my sympathies. Both of us had shingles about the time of the big move, so perhaps stress plays a part. My pain was horrific, his wasn't, but five years later he is still suffering from what they call post-herpetic syndrome - it can be debilitating and has had an impact on our lives.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a vaccine!
Oh my goodness, you poor girl! I feel so bad for you Diane! I so hope it doesn't get any worse and the blisters that you already have are getting better with each day that passes. I'm keeping you in my thoughts sweetie. Feel better real soon! xoxo Paulette
ReplyDeletePlease take care of yourself!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers, Diane. Think good thoughts and try to relax. Forget about everything else and concentrate on getting well!!!
ReplyDeleteSo awful! I've suffered through it as well - the deep muscle pain is horrid!
ReplyDeleteThey are horrid! Get better fast!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about you today and hoping that you are doing better! I have not had shingles, but have seen others deal with it and am sorry that you are experiencing that! Prayers and well wishes headed your way!
ReplyDelete