Shingles?

vitamin C

by lukerbee - 2022-06-02 22:58:34

I had 3 cases about 10 years ago. The last one I cured almost immediately with large doses of vitamin C, haven't had the problem since. I take two 500 units daily. Chuck

Shingles

by Selwyn - 2022-06-03 13:34:04

Persephone, do you think you could be more specific?

 Can shingles cause chest pain- yes, if the nerves affected innervate the chest wall etc...  Symptoms depend on where the shingles ( caused by the chicken pox virus)  affects your nerve pathways. Often pain proceeds the rash. Sometimes the rash is not painful etc... It is part of the differential diagnosis of having a heart attack. Shingles can also be associated with an increased risk  of having a heart attack ( coronary thombosis) by 50%, or so, for the following year.

Having any stress ( eg. ill health) , or a failing immune system (eg. diabetics, cancer) increases your chance of getting shingles.

Why else would you post on a pacemaker club site about shingles?

There is now a (live) vaccination to help prevent shingles (2/3rds effective). I would have the vaccination if I could.

Post herpetic neuralgia is very nasty and can diminish substantially your quality of life. 

You can get shingles more than once!  Babies can get shingles.

Antiviral medication is available to treat herpes zoster ( shingles) - the earlier it is given the better the outcome.

Shingles

by AgentX86 - 2022-06-03 14:17:46

Shingrix is not a live vaccine.  It's inactive, with a >90% effective rate.  No, I haven't gotten it for a number of reasons, the biggest being that I haven't gotten around to it.  My wife had a really bad reaction to Zostavax and has had shingles twice (once after) Zostavax is a live vaccine, no longer available in the US .

Shingles vaccines

by Selwyn - 2022-06-03 19:49:39

Yes, quite right. There are two vaccines , live and inactivated.

Zostavax, a live vaccine given as 1 dose
Shingrix, a non-live vaccine given as 2 doses.

Thanks all

by Persephone - 2022-06-03 22:50:53

I appreciate your comments. Between me, the lampost, and Doc Google, I would say I have a pretty classic presentation of shingles, but if it does turn out to be the case, I would say to anybody "don't mess around with this stuff and get the vaxx if you can"

I hope not, but ...

by Gemita - 2022-06-04 06:06:02

if it is Shingles, I hope it can be quickly confirmed and treatment started as early as possible if needed to try to relieve some of your symptoms and to keep you safe.   Fortunately we have both been vaccinated.  All over 70s (in their 70s) I believe, are generally offered a Shingles vaccine in the UK.  

Please let us know what your doctors have to say and take good care Persephone.

I had Shingles recentlyq

by Champak - 2022-06-05 19:51:40

Hi - I had Shingles recently. To be honest, I was not aware of a vaccine for Shingles, before getting it. I know people say that Shingles isn't contagious but my daughter got it a few days before I did - so am not a 100% sure about it not being contagious. I did see a dermatologist and he gave me some medication that helped. Plan on getting the vaccine soon.

Take care...

Champak

Shingels

by AgentX86 - 2022-06-05 23:34:33

Evidently Shingles is not contageous but the virus that causes it is.  While you can't spread shigles, per se, the virus, through open sores can infect others with chicken pox.  The sores should be covered until they crust over.

I didn't know any of this but Dr. Google comes through. You're right.  I have to get off my butt and get the vaccine.