Doctors here are now recommending shingles vaccine for everyone over 60 who hasn't had it, but I guess it's too late for you now and you are too young. My mother had a mild case of shingles, and hopefully yours will be also. It really varies from person to person, but at least you will have immunity, once you recover.

I hope you will start to feel better soon and that you got the medication in time. It sounds like you have a good chance for that. I'm sending you my best thoughts for a speedy recovery.

Lars

Here's hoping this is a mild and fleeting case. Shingles can be one nasty disease.

Hope you are feeling tip top real soon

Colleen, I don't know much about shingles, but it doesn't sound pleasant, that's for sure!

Hope you are feeling better in no time with no long term effects.

linda

Shingles can recur, so if your physician approves, once you recover there is merit in getting the shingles vaccine. It wouldn't necessarily prevent another outbreak but it can reduce the severity.

There are contra-indications, for example if you've had chemo-therapy or have certain auto-imnmune disorders.

I know shingles are agony and you have my sympathy. After watching my poor father's suffering I and my DH got the shingles vaccine as soon as we were able to.

Carol

Adding my best wishes that you feel better soon. It's a good thing that you went to the clinic as soon as you did.

Lee

Oh geez, Colleen, I do hope it's a mild and quickly resolved case. My stepDad had them and never quite got rid of them, he was having nerve pain until he passed away. Not from the shingles, thankfully, BTW!!

when you recover, definitely get the shot. I will as soon as I'm 60 and they let me, my poor stepfather was miserable.

Hope you feel better soon!

Annie

Oh -- so sorry you had to go through that. I've known a couple people who've had them. This is a good reminder for me to get the vaccine. I had chicken pox as a kid, so the virus is most likely lying there waiting to get me sooner or later.

I read, somewhere, that if you got the small pox vaccination when you were a kid you're more likely to get shingles and you should get the shingles vaccine ASAP...

As a side note, last year I took hubby for his shingles shot and even with Medicare and HAP I had to pay $30. before they would give it to him.

Hugs,
Rita

Oh, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I do hope it goes away quickly.

Sally

Colleen, I hope your case is mild and short lived. Wishing you a quick recovery.

Ann

Oh great, I had the small pox vaccine. I've got a small scar on my hip to prove it. Between that and the chicken pox, I guess I'm doomed. I notice the local pharmacy is giving smallpox vaccine. I'd rather have my doctor's office do it.

Colleen, hope you're feeling better by now. Ouch.

According to my doctor, the shingles vaccine costs about $500. Her practice no longer administers it because too many shots were administered to people who defaulted on the bill.

It was difficult for me to find a pharmacy which offers it and when I did DH and I had to sign up on a waiting list. It all sounds very "Mission Impossible" but the shingles vaccine is live and somewhat more fragile.

My insurance paid 100% (except for the pharmacy's administration charge) but DH's didn't. IIRC with the pharmacy's charge we were out about $90 for him.

Here's an info sheet on the vaccine.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: Shingles Vaccine

Oh Colleen, I'm sorry to hear that. I know quite a few who have had shingles and everyone suffered to some degree. I pushed DH to get the shot last year and IIRC, the bill was close to $200 at the Dr's office. And of course our incredibly short-sighted, but oh so high priced PPO from Blue Shield (AKA B.S. for obvious associated reasons)reimbursed us $0. I guess in the insurance company's wacked worlds, they would rather pay for the disease than for the immunization. Sheesh! I'm crossing my fingers and saying a prayer that I don't get it before I turn 60 and can get the shot. I too had the smallpox vaccination and have the crater to prove it!
Take care and feel better soon!

Just checked my email and found this chuckle from a friend--

"If you cant afford a doctor, go to an airport - you'll get a free x-ray and a pat down, and if you mention Al Queda, you get a colonoscopy."

Actually, insurance companies know (that's what they pay actuaries and statisticians for) that preventive care costs them more than treatment.

If you pay for every woman to get a mammogram, that's more expensive than paying for the occasional woman who gets breast cancer.

It's dollars and cents, just not humane.

Carol

My mom, me and two of my brothers have had it. Mine started as an itch, then a small rash. As soon as I saw the red rash, I got myself to the doctor to get the meds that day. Even so, I had it for a week or so, don't remember. I do remember that it was very painful and your skin can not be touched. Because I recognized it and got the meds right away, I didn't have any post-shingles pain.

Hopefully you won't either. My mom waited too long to get treatment and suffered nerve pain for a couple of years afterwards.

Coleenoz:
I hope you are not one of the poor souls, too.

My wife was unfortunate and had it for 2 years.

We tried everything and everywhere, even accupuncture.
I think it was associated wih the Chemo Treatments.

Yours will be old news soon.
LOU

Since shingles is from the chicken pox, I guess I will not get them. I am 54 years old and I have never had the chicken pox. I have been exposed to it many times in my lifetime and I have not come down with it. My daughter is the same way. She hasn't had them either. She was exposed to it in her 2nd grade class, she brought it home and her 2 brothers came down with chicken pox but she didn't. She was exposed to it while she was pregnant but she didn't come down with it. I guess we have a natural immunity to chicken pox.

My husband hasn't had chickenpox either, but he did get shingles a year ago. It's been awful! I feel so much for anyone who gets them! I agree with Lou, the chemo my husband had for cancer did weaken his system and then ... shingles, but 5 years later!

I've had 'em, on the right side of my back. Not a lot of fun, but I survived.

Just keep taking your antiviral medicine -- I hope it clears up very soon.