Consider getting a shingles -

[Nic in Western NYS]

All you folks over 50, consider getting a shingles -.  Shingles (herpes zoster) is a nasty infection that happens when the virus that caused your chickenpox gets loose from where it was hiding deep in your nervous system and decides to go on a raid.  Whichever main nerve system it hits is where the nasty rash and pain will be.

I am writing this down and sharing it here because reading this list has been one of my habits and pleasures over the last 6 weeks and because I think the writing of my tale will be helpful for me personally.  I am in the process of kicking the lily white ass of this virus and should be close to fine within a few months. 

Let's just say that I lost this lottery and the bugger virus decided to play havoc with my trigeminal nerve on the right side of my head.  Turns out that trigeminal nerve system covers everything from the ear to the top of the head right to the tip of the nose (give or take). 

To help make my case that my riding brothers and sisters should get this -, I will give a short list of the most entertaining symptoms I have had in the past 6 weeks.  I'll work backwards from today - 7 weeks from the infection.

Today is the first day I am considering riding since this herpes zoster virus said hello.  Life is good.  Constant headache down to 4 out of 10 pain.

For the last 3 weeks - constant 24/7 right side headache behind the temple (5/10 pain), does not respond to medication.  Continued loss of sensation of right side of nose.  Shooting, cringing (7/10) pain in the eye, about 10 times a day.  Episodes of tearing in right eye, 4-6 hours a day.  Right side of head has the sensation of the worst sunburn I have experienced (5/10 pain).   Feeling much, much better and hopeful for continued progress.  I wake up in the middle of the night from the pain, especially if I forget in my sleep to avoid turning my head so that the right side touches the pillow.  Sinus pain if I do not blow my nose every 10-15 minutes.

Up until 5 days ago - Nystagmus (double vision), constant right eye tearing, constant right sinus draining, no sensation on nose so you understand what that looks like.  Stronger headaches (about 7/10).  No longer need eye patch on right eye.

10 days ago - Had the last episode (I hope) of seizure-like electrical discharge episodes caused when very damaged nerves near eyebrow were touched.  Resulted in 1 minute episodes causing loss of muscle control and 10/10 pain which I described as simultaneously having the right side of my head be on fire and rototilled.  This last of 6 of these episodes was made more entertaining since it probably included a side effect of the medication I was trying to tolerate at a higher does - gabapentin.  This drug gabapentin has been great, I think it is what stopped these seizure-like episodes, but it does have a side effect of suicidality.  I have never been suicidal and continue not to be suicidal.  Here's what happened 10 nights ago - I had a dream that I would purposely run my finger along my brow, purposely setting off an episode and I did it.  This touching of the areas with the damaged nerve caused the pain/seizure episode which was very intense.  I could have one even by lightly brushing a damaged nerve area, I think in my dream I actually rubbed my brow with my hand, setting off a bad episode.  So, as had happened before, I woke up in a pain episode but this time I was in a mixed dream/reality state and thought I was being held by ISIS in the basement of a ruined ancient building in Syria. They were going to execute me but I was alone for a short time.  My brain was being destroyed from the inside out and I could see the black areas of my brain which had already been destroyed.  I was (truly) in excruciating pain.  I don't know what I would have done if there had been a gun or knife near my bed.  My wife was (actually) in the next room with our baby and couldn't help orient me.  This episode lasted for about 5 minutes before I became oriented. 

One of life's very simple pleasures is the ability literally to scratch an itch.  So this evil condition caused extreme itchiness, but if I touched where it itched, it would prompt that seizure-like event.  I learned that I could very very lightly brush a tissue over an itchy area and it wouldn't prompt an event or I could touch a single hair but not the skin below.  All very precise.  Of course I lost this precision while I was sleeping and had a bad event prompted by scratching an itch while sleeping. Learned to go to bed with hands wrapped in tissues and holding tissues in hand.  No more sleep events except for the ISIS one which seemed to be an intentional self-destructive event caused by ramping up the meds.  (I couldn't handle even half of the maximum dose and continue at about 1/3 maximum dose.  Perhaps my body's naivety towards all drugs/medications did not work in my favor here.  Perhaps someone who had receptors dulled by meds or ETOH wouldn't have had these neurological responses.)

2 weeks ago - Acute glaucoma caused by the virus damaging the drainage path for the eyeball now got under control, eye pressure back to normal after being very high and not responding to front line medicine. No more risk of loss of sight in right eye.  7 visits to the ophthamologist in 4 weeks.  High dose steroid drops and other glaucoma meds effective.  One medical assistant when I told her please not to touch the area around my eyebrow or I might have an 'event' said "this is outside the scope of my practice" and had the physician prep me.  A nice bunch at the eye doc office, lots of good fun and careful treatment.

3 weeks ago - Right eye not functional due to nystagmus and constant tearing.  Wearing eyepatch or closing eye while awake.  Pain spreads to teeth roots.

4 weeks ago - Blistering rash on scalp, nose, inside of mouth starting to calm down.  Scabs fall of at embarrassing times (like in a negotiation session at work).

5 weeks ago - Those seizure-like things happen. Very distressing.  One happened while walking down a hallway at work - fell into a wall and cut my damn hand on a metal box covering a thermostat.  Embarrassing.

6 weeks ago - In a negotiating session with a physician group and am seen cringing from pain to the right side of my head.  Escorted to the clinic and diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia.  Shingles diagnosis is not made until the rash spreads to my mouth a couple of days later.

7 weeks ago - Wondered why I had acne on my scalp. Didn't worry about it.  Wasn't itchy and didn't look serious. Should have gotten diagnosed then and started taking antiviral medications then rather than a week later but it wasn't serious enough to get checked out and was atypical for a shingles rash so wouldn't have been diagnosed anyway.  Last ride on the ST4s.

15 weeks ago - Relocated family from MA to NC.

17 weeks ago - Took a great position as CEO of a start-up.  Much more complicated, stressful work circumstances than anticipated.

4 years ago - Did not get shingles - when eligible.  Minimum age for getting - changed from 60 to 50 in 2011.

[stevet]

Well you've convinced me.  I'll be 47 in January so apparently still a few years before the recommended age for the -.  Chickenpox hit me with a double-whammy at age 10, while recovering after a week of it, it flared up again for another week of childhood hell.  Shingles, I can't imagine...

I'm glad for you that the light at the end of your tunnel is brightening.  All the best...

Steve.

[samfrank]

And, while the - is expensive (mine was $262), your insurance will/should cover the entire amount. After reading the OP history everyone should be convinced!

[jcctx]

I will add my recommendation to the pile. Shingles hit me in 2012; took about three months to dry up with treatment. About two months later I got the shot. Since then on a couple occasions I have felt the onset of a breakout but it has not resulted in the full deal; just the under skin tension for a couple days. I was warned the shot is only 70% effective in prevention but lessens the severity of an outbreak in nearly everyone. GET THE SHOT!!!!!!! $200 at Walgreens and medicare did not cover it!!

[MGPilot]

My older brother got hit relatively hard by it. Was upset that his doctor never mentioned it.

I got a - shortly after the onset of his painful symptoms. I think he was at it several months; left scars.

[John Ulrich]

I had it on my face two years ago.  Ice pick headaches, belle palsy for a week.  I still get "tingles" at the nerve endings in my cheek.  Living hell for 8 weeks.   

[Bonafide Bob]

 I had my Shingles - shot after I turned 60, that was maybe 12 years ago. I wonder if it is a one time shot or will I need a booster shot at some point in time?
Bob

[Joliet Jim]

 Left side of the head a few years ago for me. Ice pick headache is a good description. I hardly had any surface indication because it started under my beard. I thought I had a cold sore. I should probably get vaccinated again.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Was upset that his doctor never mentioned it.

Time for a new doctor!  My beautiful young Dorctor Linda suggested the - and I followed her advice. I can't remember if insurance paid or I paid out of pocket.  Looking back now it's of no concern who's money it was, the protection is worth it. 

wonder if it is a one time shot or will I need a booster shot at some point in time?

My understanding is one jab is all that's necessary.

[roam]

My unlucky friend had shingles when he was 22. 

[menzies]

I got the shot a couple of years ago after a mild breakout of about a month in duration. I had several spots about the size of a quarter on my left side, felt like a perpetual bee sting. I had heard of shingles but did not know much about the ailment and showed the spots to my pharmacist when I went in to pick up some items for a trip I had planned to New York. He told me I had a mild case and there was really nothing that could be done and to come back when it healed and he would administer the shot. I made the trip on my Triumph Scrambler with no problem just the discomfort of the stinging. He did tell me there is a small chance of another episode but it is greatly reduced. I never consulted my doc, maybe I should have.

My insurance covered the cost of the shot but I would not hesitate to pay the full amount for the protection.

[cruzziguzzi]

I got hammered with that dread ailment back when I was 16-17. It only affected my back though my entire back - also, through its presentation, my back felt to be the size of the Great Plains for nearly two weeks.

Having nothing to compare it to at the time - the pain was astounding.

Later; having been shot... a couple times, had bones busted... a couple times, thrown from bikes... many a time, bounced down the side of a C-130 and then drug through brambles in Massachusetts (only once, that!) and having had my heart run through a veg-O-matic by a couple-three harpies: I can kinda say I'll take any half of those again rather than shingles.

As to the doctor recommendations for - - many only begin to stress the - on towards about 60 years old rather than 50.

Price? The big corner "Drug Store" around here run very lucrative "out of pocket" specials each year so watch for those if you're insurance challenged.


Todd.

[wrbix]

I had my Shingles - shot after I turned 60, that was maybe 12 years ago. I wonder if it is a one time shot or will I need a booster shot at some point in time?
Bob

While protection does clearly wane over the years, revaccination is not currently recommended.....

.....but would suggest re-checking your records - the shingles - was only FDA approved in 2006. Could it have been something else you received 12 years ago?

[mikebr]

I got the injection last month as a precaution and they said the - gives you 50% protection. Still better than nothing.

[Bonafide Bob]

While protection does clearly wane over the years, revaccination is not currently recommended.....

.....but would suggest re-checking your records - the shingles - was only FDA approved in 2006. Could it have been something else you received 12 years ago?

 That is very possible that is why I said maybe 12 years ago,I am not sitting here with my medical records in front of me;-)  but do know I got vaccinated for Shingle at some point in time. ;-)

[canuguzzi]

Got it, recognized the symptoms and went in, got a prescription. If you feel sensitivity on your skin, get it checked out. Because of early detection, what is a long miserable road for many was a small bump in the road. Rarely do you wake up with shingles all over, you feel some strange sensation on your skin and perhaps a small bump or start of rash.

What got rid of it? Chinese medicine. They've dealt with this stuff for centuries. Immediate elimination of the pain and the symptoms ended up being very mild. It is a drink. The pain goes away within minutes.

Horrible stuff to drink. I mean horrible. It worked.

Didn't take the prescription. Diagnosis was confirmed.

[Arizona Wayne]

Don't remember if I ever got chickenpox or not and @ 72 have never had  this condition.  Guess I'm  lucky.   

[SED]

Nic, glad you are recovering - it sounds horrific.

I'm early 50s and my doctor said I am very low probability for shingles (probability increases with age), that insurance typically doesn't cover the cost until you are 60, that the - is only about 60% effective and that its effectiveness wanes with time.  He also said that shingles - is an area of active research and it is likely that a more effective - will be available by the time I am 60.  His feeling was that, statistically, my best chances for effective protection is to wait.

Because of your experience I will ask the Doc again.  Or just go to the pharmacy!

Thanks for the info!

[wrbix]

Nic, glad you are recovering - it sounds horrific.

I'm early 50s and my doctor said I am very low probability for shingles (probability increases with age), that insurance typically doesn't cover the cost until you are 60, that the - is only about 60% effective and that its effectiveness wanes with time.  He also said that shingles - is an area of active research and it is likely that a more effective - will be available by the time I am 60.  His feeling was that, statistically, my best chances for effective protection is to wait.

Because of your experience I will ask the Doc again.  Or just go to the pharmacy!

Thanks for the info!

Well informed physician! GSK has a new formulation - just ready for FDA approval, close to 90% effective.....at your gentle age would suggest waiting.

[SED]

Well informed physician! GSK has a new formulation - just ready for FDA approval, close to 90% effective.....at your gentle age would suggest waiting.

Thanks Bill, Great info!

[cruzziguzzi]

Got it, recognized the symptoms and went in, got a prescription. If you feel sensitivity on your skin, get it checked out. Because of early detection, what is a long miserable road for many was a small bump in the road. Rarely do you wake up with shingles all over, you feel some strange sensation on your skin and perhaps a small bump or start of rash.

What got rid of it? Chinese medicine. They've dealt with this stuff for centuries. Immediate elimination of the pain and the symptoms ended up being very mild. It is a drink. The pain goes away within minutes.

Horrible stuff to drink. I mean horrible. It worked.

Didn't take the prescription. Diagnosis was confirmed.

Do you recall what the "horrible stuff" was called?

We fiind ourselves often at the Chinese Cultural Center here in Phoenix. On one of our properties, we have a Chinese restaurant and our gal there scribbles cryptic notes for us to take to the market there for what ails us, from time to time.

Todd.

[Lannis]

Time for a new doctor! 

Or get a doctor, period.   Anybody old enough to be reading this and worried about shingles should be getting a yearly physical anyway, and taking their doctor's recommendation about what inoculations to get.

It just amazes me that people that would never consider running their bike 70,000 miles without changing the oil or checking the valves will blithely bumble along for year after year without seeing a doctor or getting his advice, and don't even think about it until "they read it on the internet"......

Lannis

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

imagine patches of extreme sunburn , being stung by bees

that is what you are missing if you don't get this -

I don't go to doctors, haven't seen one in 8 years, despite breaking ribs in a moto crash & a couple random illnesses....  BUT I CANNOT STRESS STRONGLY ENOUGH

.. if there is any medical procedure you want... it IS getting a shingles shot

it is incredibly bad. you do not want it. you would have to be a fool to skip it

[mickr69]

I had shingles on my head. Thought it was a reaction due to brushing agaiinst a tree branch. No pain at all until i got a sore eye. Turned out it scarred the cornea and affected my sight . I could still see but reading was hard out of my left eye. Had to take eye drops for ages as the eye kept flaring up. Drops had steriods and as a result 5-6 years latefr I got a cataract

Due to the wonderful NHS i had a cataract op a few weeks ago. Good thing is even though the scarring is still there the new lens enables me to read without glasses. Colours are amazingly rich. Its like getting a HD tv for the eye!

[balvenie]

               Thanks for jogging my memory, Nic. A couple of family friends have had this thing and I did not realise that there was a -

[canuguzzi]

Do you recall what the "horrible stuff" was called?

We fiind ourselves often at the Chinese Cultural Center here in Phoenix. On one of our properties, we have a Chinese restaurant and our gal there scribbles cryptic notes for us to take to the market there for what ails us, from time to time.

Todd.

I'll get the name. It was like drinking the last oil change from the Norge but damn if it didn't work. Supposedly you can take this stuff even if it has hit you and your symptoms are full blown ugly.

The Chinese have had centuries to do with natural stuff what we try to do with a lot of modern treatments that do a semi good job. Use of other stuff for headaches, rub it on, ten minutes later no headache. Wife puts it in for me.

I never believed in such things but am becoming a believer.

[ohiorider]

Get the shot!  I remember, as a kid, my poor old grandmother going through an initial attack of shingles ..... it wasn't pretty.  As soon as I heard there was a - to prevent or reduce the effects of a shingles attack, I was on it like a pit bull on a pork chop.

[Nic in Western NYS]

               Thanks for jogging my memory, Nic. A couple of family friends have had this thing and I did not realise that there was a -

You got it man!

[John Ulrich]

An attendee at a rally heard about my ordeal and said he was getting one.  I saw him this year and he procrastinated getting the shot ............ he got shingles!

[56Pan]

Gabapentin.  My doc prescribed that one for a pinched nerve in my spine.  Didn't help even a little.  I think the YMCA workouts helped the most.  Anyhow, I looked up the side effects and you're right about the suicidal bit, Nic.  Won't be taking that stuff ever again after reading your post about it.  Anyhow, someone mentioned that Medicare wouldn't pay for the shingles -.  Do any of you guys know if the VA will cover it?  I'd never even heard of this shingles business until this thread.