Five years later...Thanks! Needed this information. Just developed shingles again after forty years and at seventy years old this thing really smarts! Thanks again..
My grandfather had a terrible bout of shingles in his life. Now at 66 I have developed the shingles. I recently started intermittent fasting where you go 16 hours plus each day without eating. This has brought about a rapid healing of multiple skin problems I had from head to toe. Almost all the other skin problems have cleared up in the last 10 days since I started the intermittent fasting. The shingles is healing very rapidly now. It will be the last of the skin disorders that are healing up. I figure in another 10 days or less that the shingle problem will be totally resolved along with the other skin problems.
Do you have any studies that demonstrate effectiveness of fasting for shingles? You should share the link to the studies that demonstrate comparison and outcomes.
Thanks, Dr Q! I spoke to you as an on-call physician yesterday regarding shingles and wondering if I have it. Your video is VERY educational and easy to understand. The sensation I was having for the last 2 days is gone. So maybe that’s it? Or, as you mentioned, maybe a rash will pop out in a few days, but I am thankful to have had the opportunity to speak to you and see this video. If there are any more symptoms that become unbearable I’ll be sure to follow up with my GP. God bless you for your work and compassion!
I wish you were my doctor, you are so specific with this situation... I just found out yesterday that I might have shingles, I have been in so much pain on my left side, like a burning sensation. It’s so uncomfortable I cry to try to fall asleep, I’m going to see a doctor on Monday morning.. I hope my doctor will be just as specific as you are, thank you for this video
Nice video content! Sorry for chiming in, I would appreciate your initial thoughts. Have you thought about - Taparton Incredible Cure Takeover (probably on Google)? It is a good one off guide for Curing Shingles minus the normal expense. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my friend after many years got excellent results with it.
Excellent Video clip! Apologies for butting in, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you thought about - Taparton Incredible Cure Takeover (probably on Google)? It is an awesome exclusive product for Curing Shingles without the headache. Ive heard some great things about it and my friend after many years got cool results with it.
lavrose I’ve taken my meds. The spots have all dried up. But the pain is unreal. And plz could u tell me when I can have a shower plz?? I been using cleansing whipes
Someone help me. I’m dying for a shower. The spots have dried up. But the pain is unreal. I just want a cool shower. But don’t know when. HELP SOMEONE??
I had shingles 2 weeks ago, and it was awful. I've always been prone to cold sores or illness when I spend too much time in sun sans a base tan. I'm am RN who has actually participated in drug studies for cold sores. The only thing that has ever cut any viral outbreaks for me, is to do large doses of lysine and lecithin when I know I'm at risk of anything due to my immunity taking a hit ( too much sun). As soon as I realized what was happening, I started the high doses of lecithin & lysine w zovirax (I do not believe zovirax works for me, but it couldn't hurt and I had insurance). My shingles was gone within 5 days of treatment. Note: I did infect a sore accidentally bc I used itching cream on open areas when I was going crazy. The infection almost cost me my leg, but that was my fault for trying to do quick fix sans sanitary methods. I did need pain meds for 2 nights bc of the throbbing burning. Ggod luck to your mom.
@@lynnlynn9124 thank u my mom had 2 spots on her leg that were blistered and popped and became infected now i know they say that shingles stays above the waist but i took her to ER they admitted her for cellulitis and the next day told her she had the shingles she is doing much better and is home her leg is healing it looks a lot better now except for all the dry skin around bottom of leg thank u again God Bless
@@holliev2247 it is rare to have it in the leg and foot, but not unheard of. I didn't think mine was shingles initially, but my lymph nodes were large and very sore by the second night and the blisters showed up a few hours later. It actually went up the inside of my shin and as low as my foot arch, which is where the bacterial infection started. I'm pretty sure it can show up anywhere along the nerve path it follows. Of course, once the bacterial infection started, cellulitis followed --especially since I didn't address it for a few days thinking it was a reaction to the shingles. For me, the lysine and lecithin is far better than any of the Rx antivirals e.g. zovirax. The zovirax would shorten the cold sore outbreak by 24 hours at most. The lysine & lecithin would cause the virus to go inactive (no weeping or exacerbations) within 36 hours, and actually prevent an outbreak if I caught it at first tingle. The Abreva was the drug study I spent a year doing while it was in the last stages of clinical trials and awaiting approval. It is almost $18 for a 2 gram tube (which is more than $3500 per lb I believe) and actually says on the back fine print: can shorten outbreaks by 24 hours. That is insane! I also take extra zinc when I feel any type of illness. While shingles can be a nightmare, the long-lasting repercussions from infection or nerve pain can be as bad, if not worse. I wish your mom the best and think that a good multivitamin and some supplements (calcium & zinc) are a good idea for everyone, especially older women.
@@lynnlynn9124 it is funny u mentioned cold sores also because i had one 2 weeks ago then i had one in cheek of mouth and did not think anything of it because i have had one on lip and in mouth before but then the whole back of my throat was inflamed tounge and insids of cheeks so the day she came home from hospital i went to ER the practitioner nurse asked if i had been under a lot of stress lately and i told her yes she presceibed me some medication for it but my dad gave me a bottle of collodial silver that he bought from this place down the road and that started helping a lot with it since i did not get the meds till a day in a halph later now today i took my son to his doctor just to make sure he did not have anything in his mouth to be on the safe side he has been itchy lately and the doc said he has eczema and that when i have a fever blister to watch him carefully for fever and any rash because skin to skin contact can cause eczema herpi sonwthing or other i cant remember exactly what the word was so yeah a lot going on this way has been crazy but thank u for all ur help and i will tell my mom what u said sweetie again thanks a million
@@holliev2247cold sores are irritating and embarrassing but usually harmless. However, they can be fatal if getting into the wrong area. I'm not a conspiracy theorist at all, but it has always baffled me as to why there is a chicken pox vaccine, but not a herpes vaccine. People spend billions on herpes treatments, and it is rarely fatal. Why would any pharmaceutical co want to cut that kind of income. On that note, It is essential to always clean hands thoroughly after touching a cold sore. If it gets into the eye it can have horrific consequences. I had a patient who had gotten herpes into her eye resulting in herpes encephalitis and her being unable to speak, move, communicate.... She had birthed a baby a few months earlier, which may have triggered a herpes outbreak (any trauma/insult to the body can trigger them) which was accidentally transferred to her eye. Now she was almost a vegetable kept alive on tube feeds and IVs.I also saw on Dr G, how a teen had a reaction to her boyfriend's cold sore and died within 48 hours. Please be hypervigilant about being sanitary when there is a sore present, especially around kids, frail adults... If you get another sore, try the lysine and lecithin and see if there is a significant decrease in length of outbreak. Thanks for your reply.
I have some feed back doc, I have been very depressed and anxious due Autism and watching my mum suffocate and die, I have spent alot of time and I mean alot of time in bed, about 90% of that time I have lay on my left shoulder because my phone charger is on my left, in the past week I have had some worsening tightness in the muscles between my spine and left shoulder, a few days ago as i pushed my left arm down to get up I felt a little sharp pain, this morning I woke up in pain feeling like what I amagine being stabbed is like, someone smashed a few bones with a hammer, I've been to see a doctor, just like you said, one look and see said it's shingles, the reason for my comment is because you say no one knows why it happens, just wondering if I've released the virus by damaging a nerve. I hope that feed back sheds any light on this and thanks for the video.
Maybe your immunity has been compromised bc of depression potentially impacting diet and overall health? I just left a reply to someone else about how large doses of lecithin and lysine helped my shingles improve dramatically in 5 days. I always take daily doses w multivitamin but huge increase in dose during occasional cold sores. So sorry about your mom😪
The answer is that there is no answer... I am sorry to say. I have seen healthy 12 year old patients get shingles. They don't have compromised immune function. It's just bad luck. Get the vaccine after age 50 and decrease your risk. Other people use the opportunity of your misfortune to try and sell you Lecithin, lysine, or tell you to eat certain foods but none of that has been shown to prevent shingles or decrease the severity of the illness.
I've been dx with shingles initially on my R hand then spreading to the L hand and prescribed Valacyclovir 1000 mg x 10 days. I continued having new blisters appearing around both hands and random areas on the arms, neck, face and back which, except for hands, dried up quickly and soon gone. I was given another 5 days of Valacyclovir after completing the first round. The healing process has been slow and extremely painful. After listening to you I'm wondering about the pattern of my outbreaks. It has not followed the mid line rule.
Thank you so much! I've heard so much rambling nonsense on this subject. But now I'm convinced I have the long term pain condition and I'm pretty scared about how long this could last. It really hurts, doc. I thought I somehow broke a rib in my sleep when it first started hurting a month ago. Then it felt like I had severe internal bleeding like maybe my gall bladder was torn or maybe an intestinal tear. Now I find out I have a condition that may not subside for years, but it won't kill me? What a kick in the head.
Post-herpetic neuralgia is a frustrating condition. The pain from it is different than other kinds of pain... it is called neuropathic pain and it does not usually respond to the usual pain medications like advil, aleve, and narcotic pain meds. Often the lidocaine patch, amitriptyline, or gabapentin (or some combination of them) can be helpful for this condition. Often people see improvement with their pain over the course of months. Hang in there!
Chad Dickerson ...have shingles now, anti-viral taken first sign of rash, meds done, rash subsides. But nerve pain!!! Crazy/stupid as it wraps left torso under arm across left shoulder blade, pain started @ shoulder blade & continues. Continue meaning rash nearly gone, but pain still here. 4 doctors later nothing, told to 'tough it out' nearly 3wks now, pulling all-niters, some days just feeling yuk. So pls i know exactly how u feel😫
It’s Oct. I got shingles in May. Every time I think it’s clearing up it hits me again. I live in MX. Couldn’t get diagnosed.. Very miserable thing to have and the heat, wow. Thank you for the video.
Wish more doctors did these education health sessions. I was initially exposed to racoon worms a few months ago, did a parasite cleanse with papaya seeds (see Dr. Oz), also had mebendazole. I think it released some toxins, my immune system was stressed, had headache, numbness in my arms, then the shingles appeared. They were mostly itchy at first. I patted Diatomaceous Earth on the rash/blisters to dry them out and that worked well. Im now taking the famvir, but also have sinus congestion on one side and some heaviness in my lungs, along with neck muscle pain. Wondering if this could lead to menningitis?
I had pain 6 weeks, saw 3 Drs and they all thought it was a kidney infection and even possibly a kidney stone because I started with a lan UTI that progressively got worse. They did a CT SCAN with and without contrast and probed the painful area but none of them looked at the skin around my torso. The 4th Dr checked the CT SCANS then looked at my skin. She immediately diagnosed me with shingles because I had a red streak following the nerve path. My neighbor has cerebral palsy and has never had chicken pox even though she was exposed by several siblings and didn't get the vaccine because she is allergic to eggs. She has always told people can't catch child hood diseases. Is this true? I sure don't want her to get chicken pox now because I have shingles.
First of all, thank you for your information. I have shingles and I found it out, on the very early stage, my question to you, do this illness, can have a mild breakdown without getting worse? or have to have a big breakdown? right now I have it very little rashes on the side of my left side of my back and left side of my stomach. Can these rashes can it be very mild as suppose to get a big breakout? Thank you for your response.
Once a patch appears, will it widen or other patches appear? May I spread the rash by scratching and touching it to other parts of my body or is it a subcutaneous , up through the body and then out my skin kind of monster.
Suffering with it for 2 weeks now.I was having a lot of discomfort for a few days then the rash appeared.It actually feels like a dull stabbing pain at the moment.Rash has faded but pain hasn't decreased whatsoever.
Thank you for this amazing video that clarifies almost everything about shingles. But then even though it's triggered by compromised immune system why some doctors pressure patients to get tested for hiv before treating them ? What if the patient refuses to test... is there a difference in treatment?
Shingles is not related to "compromised" immune system and routine HIV testing is not recommended by experts. You do not need an HIV test before getting treated for Shingles.
From my research shingles can reoccur at any point as you can get it more than once. I will get the vaccine called shingrix. It's the latest and best vaccine to get.
wow great info wish I had came to this sight months ago I nowhave shingles and in so much pain cannot stand for clothes To touch me my chest and right arm are all scared up what will help vet rid of the scars? only have had the shingles 2 weeks I look so ugly the pain meds are not helping but she did say that one you mentioned Gab. takes some time to start working
I am so sorry that you are miserable with the shingles! It is a frustrating problem. If you have had them for 2 weeks you could ask your doctor about the lidoderm patch which numbs the nerve from which the pain radiates. Unfortunately the patch can only be used for about a half of a day. The other frustrating problem is that insurances often decided not to cover the cost of the patch. They do this by saying it has to be "pre-authorized" by your doctor. This means that they don't want to pay for it but they want to blame it on us, your doctor/NP, for not getting it for you. The scars gradually heal over but it takes months. Some of the lesions leave scars forever. Gabapentin and amitriptyline are treatments for post-herpetic neuralgia but they take a while to start working. We generally don't diagnose post-herpetic neuralgia until a patient has had symptoms for 4 months. Hang in there Linette... they will get better. You will tell your shingles story to MANY people as you show them your scars.
I have read and listened to 10-15 physician and Dr. Q was by far the best. I am currently in my fourth day of taking Valtrex. Thank goodness I think I had a mild facial shingles attack that started on my right forehead close to my hairline. After the first day of the antiviral the blisters broke out in two other places. After the second day I of the antiviral I have no additional breakouts. Everything has scabbed over and I did go see my opthamologist and was cleared of any eye issues. I wish I had been more aware as I felt the tingling in the area where the first cluster appeared but I'm a big golfer and in the past I have not put on enough sun screen. I am a fitness person and eat healthy but I am 73 in great shape. My analysis is that my skin in that overly sunburned area lowered my immunity. Maybe that had nothing to do with it. Regarding the post hepatic neuralgia, I continue to have sharp episodic pin prick pain in the occipital area. I have had this issues on occasions before getting shingles but probably the increase is do to the shingles. Advil usually helps but I'm hoping the frequency of this neuralgia will go away. I would also recommend called "Magic Mouthwash" a RX that really helped me because my gums on the right side were so swollen and painful I could hardly open my mouth. The mouthwash number my gums an I think it has an antibiotic in it too. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge Dr. Q. David Raque
Your analysis is probably incorrect... shingles is just bad luck. You can't diagnose post-herpetic neuralgia until you have had pain that lasts for more than four months after your original infection (according to the books). Thank you for your kind words about my video... I am glad it was helpful.
Thank you for a most comprehensive explanation. I have shingles around the eye socket, but am under the care of the local public eye clinic. My question is, I have had shingles for almost two weeks, the vesicles are drying up and the pain more or less gone, although I still don’t feel right, or steady on my feet. Would it benefit me to have the anti shingles injection once I feel better?
The "experts" recommend waiting 6 months to get the vaccine after getting shingles. Make sure to get the new vaccine... Shingrix. It is about 90% effective verses the older Zostavax which is about 50% effective. I need to amend the video info to reflect this.
Dr. Q, my husband battled internal shingles a year ago....never got a rash. It was on his right side. He was seen by several Drs and even had gallbladder surgery but pain continued. He was finally diagnosed with internal shingles. A week ago he began having same symptoms itching, burning, stabbing pain but now it’s on the left side. He saw his Dr and was given gabapentin and omeprazole. The next day he was in excruciating pain. He went to ER and had ct scan, X-ray, ECG 12 lead, blood work. All testing came back normal. They gave him Ofirmev, Omnipaque and Zoltan. He was sent home with ibuprofen 800. The Following day he followed up with his Dr. She ordered more lab work C-reactive protein, CBC and differential, Comprehensive metabolic panel, Erythrocytes sedimentation rate and Urinalysys with microscope. All test came back normal. I asked her if it could be internal shingles since his symptoms are just like those of a year ago but now on his left side Dr. said no because they come back on same side not opposite side. She is going to schedule an MRI. My husband is a diabetic, and has an autoimmune disorder, could it possibly be internal shingles? What other test could be done to rule out internal shingles?
Thank you for this. I have just today been diagnosed with shingles, and every thing you said rang true, but i have one question. My shingles are around my right forhead and eye, The precursor was extreme sensitivity on my scalp. The thing that has me puzzled is that it was over my entire scalp (ie left AND right) Once the reash started it was just on the right side circling my right eye, with swelling under the eye. I was immediately given an appointment at the local hosital eye center. I am now having some nerve pain and "girding my loins" for a fight. Thanks again for the info.
Make sure you get the right eye evaluated by an eye Dr. because shingles can injure the eye. Typically the eye is at risk for infection if the nose is involved by the rash. The dermatome (nerve pathway) that involves the eye is the opthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. This pathway is high on the head and is very close to the midline so it might be close. Sometimes the inflammation from the rash can cross the midline but it should be mostly on the right...the same side as the rest of the problem. As I mentioned many times before, shingles does NOT involve both sides of the body symmetrically. If it does in your case, you have a case report for the world medical literature.
@@emilyquesenberry9313 Not doubting you in any way. When the rash came out it was only on one side in the form of a circle around my eye, ending almost exactly at the mid-line of my forehead (directly above the nose. It has been nearly a week since I was diagnosed, and I am going back to the Ophthalmologist For another look see in 2 days. Got OK immediately after diagnosis. The asymmetrical mention i made was only in reference to the painful scalp (which was the first sign, I suppose). Sorry if it sounded like I was "nay saying" anything you said. I truly appreciate your efforts to educate us.
I have shingles now , im 36 and the doctors i saw hadnt seen it in people my age, they gave me intivirus and gabapentin, seems to ease some pain and the spread of the rash on my back left side, thanks for the video
I hope you feel better. Shingles can be a nasty problem. I have seen 12 year old patients get shingles. You do not always need to treat it under the age of 50 if you are not having significant pain
I am not sure what you mean by "filler injections". In general, outbreaks of shingles have been blamed on all kinds of things like stress, other infections, etc but no one really knows why people get outbreaks of shingles. It seems to be a bad luck thing.... Yea really, just bad luck.
I have shingles right now. It's the most horrific pain I've ever felt. I have it on my face and eye on the right side of my head. I've been on the medication for 11 days now. The eye dr is treating Inflammation in my eye so she is keeping me on the meds at least another week. My issue is the excruciating, constant itching on my head all day and all night. I've tried every topical med I can think of and ibuprofen wont even come close to helping with the pain. My fear is this pain not going away and shingles reoccurring. I am 50 years old here, the picture of good health. I eat right and exercise every day. I will get the shot when this clears up but is there anything I can do for the horrible itching?? I haven't slept in days. I will try anything. I'm desperate.
Thank you, Dr Q but unfortunately you didn't cover my problem but maybe you have some ideas. I am 78 and had shingles 3 months ago which led to encephamyelitis. It has left me with various neurological problems but the main problem I have is intense itching on my whole torso. Is this the usual residue of shingles or something totally separate? Thankyou, AJ
Herpetic encephalitis is a completely different matter. That is a viral infection of the brain/meninges and it is a miserable potentially life threatening problem. It can cause a whole different set of problems. The itching on your torso is possibly related but you need to seek professional help. Itching can be from liver problems, kidney problems, skin problems, and a host of other things.
I been having this shit gor almost a week now right side mid upper back and right rib is killing me feels like im being punch in my rib and kicked on my back and then it switches to some other type of pain like a hot blade stabbing me
From last 1 week I have: 1. A 2 inch area of blisters on inner surface of left elbow. 2. Burning sensation on left part of stomach, though no scar, no blister on stomach. Whenever t-shirt/shirt touches that area, it feels burning pain like sunburn. As both are happening on left side, I think its shingles. No blisters on any part of body apart from elbow. Also, the elbow one is drying away. Simple question, which doctor should I consult? General Physician, Dermatologist or Neurologist?
Stomach and elbow are too far away from each other to be shingles. It is incredibly rare for shingles to affect 2 areas of the body at the same time. In general, if you do not have a rash you do not have shingles.
Thanks Doc for enlightening me. I never had chicken pox when I was a child but began feeling the pain just last week and the blisters started three days ago. I am fifty seven and a half years. Why did I got it.
Your story is incredibly common. I am fifty five and many people our age had mild chicken pox and never knew they had it. You HAD to have chicken pox to get shingles. If you want to prove that....you can do blood work to prove it but your insurance company won't pay for it.
Having healthy, clear looking skin within 3 days, it’s just a good feeling. A method such as the one in Kaena Ramingler’s website, that I found googling, can make shingles die off easily. One other alternative could be heavier antivirals, that do have their place.
Kaena wants $37.77 to tell you about his great cure in 3 days. Most likely he has gathered some alternative info that can be of use to those who suffer from shingles. I started intermittent fasting 10 days ago and the shingles I had for months on my neck and shoulder is going away very rapidly. The small pox virus can get activated when the body becomes too toxic. The safest way to gradually detoxify is to go on intermittent fasting. By detoxifying the body not only is shingles addressed but just about everything else that is threatening the quality of your life. Do a search on intermittent fasting. Try that out for free. Save the $37.77.
I just found out I have shingles today. :( On Monday I felt a sharp pain in my fore arm, I thought a insect bite me but I didn't see one. On Tues and Wed, my forearm turn red/swollen, then a cluster yet linear chicken pox looking rash developed on my forearm/upper arm. The dermatologist said she thought I had shingles but she said I'm young to have it. I'm not surprised because I have been under a lot of stress in the last year and I think my immune system has been suppressed. My forearm is little sore, but not very painful mainly very itching...I'm kind of upset, cause the rash is soo unsightly and uncomfortable. I'm going to visit a immunologist on Tues, to check my immune system.
My mom recently got shingles This past Sunday I took her in to Urgent care the following morning and got her on the antiviral meds that same day. If you go on the meds within the 72 hours will the virus go away faster and lessen any possible complications? Also my mom said I had the chicken pox as a kid so does that mean if i come in contact with the fluid from the shingles I won't get anything? also can u get it from that persons salviya or bodily fluids. Also one last questions I just wanted to get educated about this its so sureal to me my mom got it. What's the best way to keep the area clean and to handle clothes etc from someone who has it just wear cloves and wash your hands often? Thank you Doc informative video.
The antiviral medication is not like an antibiotic. The antiviral medication (valacyclovir, famcyclovir, acyclovir, etc) decreases the intensity and duration of the illness but does NOT kill the virus like an antibiotic does. It works better the sooner it is given and its effectiveness is limited if it is started after 48-72 hours after the appearance of the rash. Many experts do not recommend taking antiviral medication if the rash has been present for more than 48-72 hours. You do NOT get shingles from someone else, you can only get it from yourself. The varicella-zoster virus shows up in your body as chicken pox first, hangs out for decades, then comes out again as shingles. You can contact her body fluids all you want and you will not get shingles. It is possible to get chickenpox from someone who has shingles lesions that are actively sheddiing the virus. So if you have already had the chicken pox you can help her all you want without gloves and you will not get it. It sounds like you are freaking out a little about the shingles but I would not freak out. Most people do fine with shingles and it blows over without any problem.
Thanks for the reply Doctor very informative info. Tomorrow is my moms last day taking the valtrex it was given for 7 days after its discontinued will the rash heal on its own? she is developing crust but not the whole thing has crusted over will it require more of the medication or just wait? Thanks
ive had shingles for 2 week but my rash didnt get blinsters just red bumps painfull fells like my skin is burning. i search many web sites and its says blister after rash and my rash didnt blister. whats the r a ason for that please reply as in curious to know why
Sometimes the rash just forms papules (red bumps) and not vesicles (fluid filled bumps). They are painful either way because the problem is the Varicella-Zoster virus growing in the nerve body and injuring the nerves that send feeling to that part of the body.
i have diagnose as having a chicken pox right now, but i havent got this virus until i was 33 (current age) but the symptoms somehow shows a combination of cpox and shingles and i am confuse if this is really a cpox, i got red fluid in my scalp actually now its all over my face but currently doesnt infect the middle nose, but the right side in lower part of my eye i got red bump and red fluid bumps. in case of my previous diagnose, i got impetigo in my left side of my face but not all, only a little. also i didnt got flu but i got dry cough. so is this really a chicken pox or is this already a shingles? i hope you can reply to my question. thank you very much.
You should watch the video. Shingles is a defined rash that follows a clear band over a small part of the body... only on one side. Chicken pox is almost always a generalized rash and not usually preceeded by pain/tingling.
@@paulquesenberry4461 thank you so much for the fast reply, i watched it fully, its just i got confused, i believed this is chicken fox, cause its itchyness is so irritating, this gives me nightmare as i cant fully sleep at night due to the itchyness.
I had shingles when I was 28. But no pain or itching. The blisters lasted for 3 month. But I the whole time I got some other infections and had fever and I felt really tired. My vitamin d b12 and iron was very low. I got medications the rush healed but the tiredness isn't gone. My temperature is mostly 38 degrees and I have night sweat.
Hi heard your video am very happy with the knowledge you shared so explicitly my dad has shringles since jan 7th 2019.He was on antiviral for a week but pain has lessened to what it was but still bothersome he is on trimethazone but due to its side effects can he use it with a combination with Gabapentin..awaiting your reply ..
I am not sure what Trimethazone is. The one reference tells me that it is donepezil which we do NOT use for shingles pain in the US. Your father is still in the acute phase of the illness which is different than post herpetic neuralgia. Post herpetic neuralgia is diagnosed four months after the initial outbreak as I outlined in the video. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and nortriptyline are the medications that seem to be best in LONG term for post herpetic neuralgia. Gabapentin is a second choice for post herpetic neuralgia. For the short term the Lidoderm (lidocaine) patch can be helpful but that is only used for 12-15 hours per day. You have to remove it for part of the day or it looses its effectiveness.
Thank you Sir for your prompt reply but will clear your confusion .My father (80 yrs old ) on 7th jan 2019 had rash on right side of the chest..We saw a dermatologist and he put him on antiviral therapy for 7 days.He is applying lacto calamine and taking vit B12.Now he has started taking calcium K2 tablets which contains calcium,magnesium zinc etc.He is taking amitripteline 10mg twice .at 6 pm and 10 pm .For sleep is taking alprazolam0.25.He has high blood pressure too.How much mobility can he do ?He has relief in the pain about 60%.So for the residual pain do you advise Gabapentin 100 mg and amitripteline 10 mg twice to reduce the side effecs of more drugs ?
Paul Quesenberry I have like a patch of skin on my genitals what is growing! It's been there for like a couple of months and it's discolored! What do I do? I'm worried sir!
Hey Dr. Q - I'm 50 and I had some discomfort on the outside of my left tricep a week ago. Burning, itchy and sore. A day or 2 later I developed 3 clusters of red bumps , an area the diameter of a tennis ball. They are still quite red and sore and the area around my arm hyper sensitive but overall, look a little better. I didn't want to bother my doc during flu season. Do you think since it doesn't seem too serious that it can go away on its own or should I still get it looked at? Now that I've had shingles, am I now immune like with chickenpox or should I still get vaccinated?
Female, and 67 I have had a terrible case of Shingles since the first full week of April, it is now July 3. I have been in so much pain, about 5-6 kinds. Pain meds did not work. Gabapentin...300 mg. every 8 hours did help. I have suffered with difficulty breathing since first of May. Finally, got doctors to take this serious. Prednisone has helped, by making the blisters stop trying to break out. I don't think I got on the proper protocol soon enough. I am getting better and the pain is better, but the effect it has and continues to have on my lungs is no laughing matter. Very, very scary. I have never had asthma in my life, I say this as some seem to think that it might be a precursor to lung issues with Shngles. Inhaler 's are useless! Breathing treatments are helpful if you can get someone to give them to you and better get allow you to buy the thing to have at home. A few times I pretty much thought I was a goner, as I thought this thing was going to put me 6feet under. F you get this bad you could die, or wish you were. The older you are the more scary this is if you are alone. I had Jesus and a husband that could get me to my many E.R. Visits. God Bless. Get the vaccine. My husband and I had been on a waiting list for the vaccine for 8 months when I got this dreaded Shingles. I could have avoided this or at least a horrible case like this. I am not out of the woods yet. I wonder if this child hood chicken pox vaccine has car this increase in Shingles. I also wonder how children who have gotten the chicken pox vaccine can end up with Shingles at age 8 or 9? Also why are more young adults getting the Shingles since they began vaccinations in the late 1990s? Suspicious!!!! Still not well!
Is shingles along the c5 dermatome(back of neck into shoulder and down arm) common, and can the virus do any destruction to bones, tendons, etc? Can it permanently inflame or destroy nerve? If TENS Machine gives some relief, does the electricity further inflame nerve?
Shingles can affect the body anywhere from head to toe. The virus does not cause any destruction to bones, tendons, or soft tissue unless there is a secondary infection or other complication of the disease. These kind of complications are unusual in otherwise healthy individuals. The "permanently inflame or destroy a nerve" question is answered by knowing that a small number of patients have long term pain related to post herpetic neuralgia. I would say months to years of pain is a yes.
Thanks for responding. Do you think the electricity from a tens machine would delay the calming of the nerve if the pain is in the neck/shoulder area? My shingles started 10 tens ago with this pain and while I caught the rash early and just finished 7 days of valtrex, the pain continues unabated even as the rash has all but disappeared and never even blistered. The tens is the only thing to bring a bit of relief.
Hi Dr Q, Just like to know , how for how long shingles can be contagious? Can I get close to a pregnant woman? I'm a bit concern,my family from overseas are coming over and I don't want to cause any problems, the baby just turn 4 months, and my other niece is pregnant too.Thank you
The time period of contagiousness is variable. . If you keep them covered and wash your hands you should be ok. Often they are contagious as long as the vesicles are present... the clear fluid filled blisters. The pregnant family members are OK as long as they have had chicken pox. If they had chicken pox they are immune to the virus as I mentioned in the video.
I didn't get chicken pox till I was 35 years old . Now I'm 57 . My PC Doc gave me some antibiotics, and 5 days of Prednisone. He wants me to get blood work, to confirm it . I also have herpes , been taking acyclovir . I have vocal cord cancer, they removed my vocal cords , voice box & lymph nodes . My neck hurts the worst, and I'm so congested, really thick crap . Is that normal to be so congested ?
Sounds like you have had a really frustrating time with several illnesses. It is hard to tell what is going on because you have several things going on at the same time. Some people do not get chicken pox until later in life but that is unusual and it can be confirmed by blood work. It sounds like you will need some specific help sorting out these symptoms and getting to the bottom of the problem.
Hey doc, I'm 23 and have been diagnosed with shingles in the face. It started on my nose wing, and spreaded to my upper lip and two spots on my cheek. I got used to the burning skin sensation and eye pain. But my teeth are soo sensitive, I can only drink room tempature water and eating hurts. It's like really bad tootache and you need a root kanal. Is this normal? And will it improve, I'm on day 7 and the spots on my face have dried up and didn't spread any further.
Also even breathing with my mouth open makes me almost cry I.only have an antiviral cream for the eye. Should I go back to my docter and get the oral antiviral?
The pain will improve as time passes. The video will tell you about the usual course of the illness. The younger you are the less likely you are to have long term problems with it. I hope you feel better!
One more question: I am having muscle pain in the exact area on my back where the worst rash is. It is definitely not the surface but very deep in the muscle, like a muscle spasm. Is this normal or do you see muscle issues like this with singles sometimes?
He mentioned this in the video mate, yes, he said the virus/disease lays dormant in your nerves, I can tell you I feel like I have broken bones in my back because of this, or a hole, so yes it's normal.
I suffered for several months before the blisters appeared. Thought I had pancreases, or kidney stones, I also have scoliosis so thought it was that? Then yesterday? BAM the shingles blisters appeared on my right bra strap rib line. Answers all my numbness questions now! I am gonna fast with the antivirals from the DOC and see? Fasting heals so much so why not this?
I had 2x cortisone injections and got shingles instantly along 2 nerve lines. Im in a great deal of pain as I have the original back pain from As.. Is this common from cortisone, does it weaken the immune system?
I’m pretty sure I have shingles. A few days ago I started experiencing a horrible headache and some throat pain. I then started experiencing a rash on my right leg leading down to my toe. My leg and my toes are in so much pain. I have had chicken pox as a kid. I’ve been taking nsaids to help with the pain but I’m still experiencing this burning/tingling sensation on my toe .
Recommendations are on the video if it is shingles. If the pain is severe and the rash is less than 2 days old treatment with antiviral medication is reasonable. There are other pain relief options but none are 100% effective. This is a frustrating problem. It is hard to diagnose without seeing it so I can't tell you what it is without evaluation.
am soooooo miserable the pain will not stop. deep pain in my ear and behind going down my neck. gabapentin is not working. tramadol was not effective. loratab did not cover the stabbing. toradol seemed to help a bit. back to dr twice to get diagnosis. am i to understand this pain could last 4 months please please tell me after all the blisters heal it is not as severe pain
Mitchell ....i bought some nerve pain oil, as 3wks now & yesssss, nerve pain is crazy/stupid. Oil kinda works, dulls it, doing advil(3pills) and advilpm(1)@ nite as it keeps me down atleast 4hrs. Yes this is crazy, oh and rash subsides nearly 2wks ago
So I was just diagnosed with shingles a day ago, I am 30 years old. I asked my doctor if I could get the shingles vaccine. He seemed hesitant and replied that I need to take antiviral first and then we can discuss it. Will doctors deny younger people who have gotten this the vaccinne because we arent of the right age for the shingles vaccine?
The developers of the vaccine do not recommend it for patients under the age of 50 as Shingles is USUALLY a mild illness for those individuals. I say usually but not always as some individuals under the age of 50 have a bad time with shingles. You CAN get the vaccine... just tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are willing to pay out of pocket for it.
im 35 years old and just got shingles on the right side of my back. mom said i never had chickenpox as a kid and i did have chickenpox vaccine. what is the liklihood of me getting shingles again after this??? my main concern is bc id like to get pregnant within the next 2 yrs
Thank you Dr Q, for the information. I got shingles once gain too many times, so far 8 times, but every time is different, the worse pain is the nerve system, the virus does not completely disappear from the body but stays dormant in the nerves close to the spine for long time, Post-herpetic neuralgia stay in my body for about 4 months after the rush was gone ,this is terrible.. Unfortunately now I got shingles again, I thought, somehow broke a rib and pull my back some how when it first started hurting a week ago . Then the rush appears but this time my mouth got infected too, I can't describe how this virus is affected me , I can't find words, but just like to ask you, with diabetes can I safely receive zoster vaccine or not ? Been with shingles so many times and doctors still don't won't to approve the vaccine. , What else I can do? Hope you can give me some ideas. Thank you
Patients with diabetes CAN get the vaccine. The "experts" are not sure about the best timing of the vaccine after you get an active case of the shingles. The information from the ACIP gives an expert opinion that says that it would be best to wait about 6 months after having shingles to get the vaccine. It sounds like you have bad luck with shingles so it might be a good idea to get the vaccine if you are over the age of 60-65.
I am 40 and have had shingle ' attacks' for around 4 years now. It first started on my left wrist/forearm with my hand losing strength first and I was unable to pinch my thumb and finger together. Then the pain came straight up my forearm to my elbow for s week then the rash/blisters. Doctors failed to diagnose for about a week or so meaning I was late taking anti viral meds. I now get an attack every 4-5 months in my arm. I also had an attack in my RIGHT arm which is not supposed to happen lol. When I have sttacks I also lose feeling in my legs which go to jelly. At this moment in time they are testing me for M.S and all sorts and I am sitting here with an attack happening ( about a week now) in my face. Pain down my forehead to my nose and across my right eye lid. Also my cheekbone feels like I have had a whack from Tyson. No blisters though ...my right side has gone numb with pins and needles type effect which is worrying. Apart from this I am wonderful lol. Living with shingles is hell and lucky you if it comes and goes quickly never to return. Good luck everyone.
If you take the antiviral medication more than 72 hours after the rash appears they are not beneficial according to the "experts". I doubt that your underlying problem is/was shingles. It is unusual for Post herpetic neuralgia to cause "attacks" as you are describing. Post-herpetic neuralgia causes persistent neuropathic pain but not motor symptoms (weakness like your legs "go to jelly"). If you had shingles in your leg it would not also cause symptoms in your face. Shingles definitely does NOT causes one sided symptoms, that is, the right side of your body getting paresthesias.
@@paulquesenberry4461 thanks so much for your reply. I have read that shingles can cause swelling in the brain...would this not maybe a cause of the weakness in my legs or the numbness?? I have had shingles about 6 times in my left arm/elbow and once on right arm upper/shoulder. This is first time on face though but no blisters yet. What else could it be in your opinion and do you think M.S and weak immune system is possibility?
Varicella-Zoster encephalitis is incredibly rare in immunocompetent patients (patients who have normally functioning immune systems). If you had shingles 6 times in the same place you and your doctor should write it up for a medical journal... I have never heard of that.
You CANNOT get shingles without prior infection with chickenpox. Many patients have subclinical infection with chickenpox, ie. they have a mild infection and think they have had a bad cold.
Great information! I'm an RN and have done my research so I think I have shingles. But my hubby, a computer systems analyst, thinks the blistery rash on the right side of my neck is poison ivy .... I haven't been outside tho. Wonder who is right? I have fibromyalgia so the whole pain thing? The answer is yes indeed!
I had lower back surgery at the last of Nov 2017 got shingles at the last of Dec they go away and then they come back I have taken gabapentin till I'm sick of it I don't know why this keeps going on is there anything I can do I have thought about a immune system Dr. I have had them 5 times I am desperate.
It is common (unfortunately) for shingles to happen after surgery or an acute illness. Shingles does not come back in the same place again and again. Your one shingles infection injured the nerves and is causing the dysesthesias (painful sensations) that you now feel. If it lasts for more than 4-6 months after the rash occurs, you have post-herpetic neuralgia. The best medicine for post herpetic neuralgia according to the "experts" is amitriptyline or nortriptyline. Gabapentin is a reasonable second choice. The other medication that works well is talked about in my video (but is not usually covered by your insurance so you will have to pay out of pocket for it). It is the lidocaine patch and you have to make sure it is applied correctly. Good luck and I am sorry you are having a crappy time with the shingles.
Yes 5 times and there not in same spot they are on my right hip and right side of back each time on different area except once and they were on the left side of my neck and ear and face. I have taken all the medicines you have talked about . I e en had someone tell me to eat or drink nothing for 24 hours that you can starve them
I suspect Shingles and Bells Palsy can be passed between adults who have had chickenpox. At my work place it came in waves. (Yes I know common explanation is that you will only spread chicken pox when u have shingles). I hope some further research will be done.
@@paulquesenberry4461 he lost me at the "spread chickenpox while you have shingles" part. I just had shingles 2 weeks ago and did v large doses of lysine and lecithin. Shingles disappeared in 5 days, thankfully. Unthankfully, sores got infected after I used itching cream on open areas and I needed iv antibiotics. I'm very fair skinned, and have only ever had serious illnesses hit in the summer bc I think the sun really hurts my immunity. I have never had any significant results w antivirals for cold sores, but have had huge improvements w the lecithin & lysine. I don't get the sores often, so it took years of comparing healing times. I would recommend to any patients suffering (especially of they are naturally gingers like I am).
Pain after completing the antiviral medication would be expected. The virus injures the nerves and that can last months. If you watched the video, I talked about several different types of medicine for treatment. There are meds for helping to kill the virus and then there is treatment for the pain. Some people never get complete relief of the pain. The video talks about different options for treating the pain.
Hi Dr., great tutorial. When does the 72hrs start of needing to begin the antivirals. Is it when you first feel the itch and pain or when the blisters appear?
The antiviral medication is most effective if it is started within 48 hours from the appearance of the rash. Some people say 72 hours but the sooner it is started the more effective is is. The "prodrome"...the pain and itching is NOT a part of the time period that is counted in the 48 hours...
Thanks for your reply. So I've started the antiviral, but let's say I'm not sure if the blisters showed possibly 4 days prior to starting--are they totally ineffective and not worth taking?
I have shingles on my left side of my face and scalp. Am being treated with antiviral meds and a cream. I'm 70 and just recently had the flu followed by pneumonia. I'm also a diabetic. Very painful!
I'm 23 and have a bad case of shengels on my face up into my eye right now. It's the worst pain I've ever been in and I've broken my jaw and my arm before. It's no joke.
my back and right side was acheing for a few days I couldn't lean on that right side or lie on my Back just so much Pain. few days later I had it on my Stomach above my belly button and on my right side and on the Back so much Agony. I just need a good cream so I can sit back
Yes, you can get shingles multiple times. In fact, the older you get the more severe you tend to get shingles so it is a good idea to get the vaccine. The vaccine is about 50-70% effective for preventing the shingles.
There are several possibilities. I am assuming that he has a rash at present that has been diagnosed as shingles. By the way, most "experts" do not recommend treatment of shingles in a 21 year old unless their symptoms are miserable, they are immunocompromised (or have some underlying condition that compromises their ability to fight off viral infections), or the symptoms become systemic (they have more than just the rash). The first possibility is that your son had chickenpox even though he had the vaccine. The vaccine is pretty good but not 100% effective. 21 years ago there was still a lot of chickenpox out there. Nowadays there is very little chickenpox circulating in our communities. The second possibility is that the rash he has right now is NOT shingles.
You need to come to Australia and teach some of the doctors how to interact with there patients instead of just trying to make as much money as possible. They seem to get you in and out as quickly as possible.
You had chickenpox but you may have had a mild case of them and not remembered. This is really common. You can do a blood test to prove this but we don't usually need to do this test to diagnose the illness. The virus is called the Varicella-Zoster Virus and you can check in your blood for the Varicella-Zoster Virus IgG, which is the long term antibody to the virus. Your insurance company won't usually pay for the test because it is "not medically necessary" so it will be an out of pocket expense.
You can get shingles at any age. I have seen 12 year old patients with shingles. The only prerequisite is a chickenpox infection. The younger you are the less likely you are to have significant pain or long term problems. In fact, many "experts" don't recommend treatment with medication for patients under the age of 50 unless their symptoms are severe or there are other compromising circumstances.
so should I avoid medication and let it heal naturally .. I been taking a lot of medications for the past two days I had fever, headaches, muscle pain in the back of my shoulders and chest once the shingles showed up?
I get reoccurring shingles every month just before my period imagine always having up burning rash it goes for a couple of weeks and then guaranteed it's back again I'm sick of always feeling run down tired and all the bad scarring it's left the only thing I found that really does help my shingles is coconut oil
@@paulquesenberry4461 The first time I got it i was so run down ill & tired the rash wasn't to bad I actually thought I had a spider bite.That was till it returned again a few months later it was so painful & burning. It then happened again another couple months later I was sent to a dermatologist who took swabs & results showed Herpes zoster (Shingles) They reoccur in the same place.The outbreaks aren't as bad as they used to be but I've noticed every few months before my period il get shingles
OK Sitting here 11 pm about an hour & a half ago BOTH my legs from above my ankles to my knees have been tingling & itching like mad-cant fall asleep When I rub the areas it seems to stop As soon as stop rubbing it starts again The tingling is NOT like a charlie horse type Its a constant pins/tingle on both legs Ever hear of this?
Well, feeling how the blisters on my torso began to shrink within 3 days was very soothing, I applied what I talked about the other day and in two weeks the pain was gone. I just go'ogled Kaena Ramingler's Shingles Solution and now I feel as smooth and relaxed as I've ever been.
I started with excruciatingly sharp pain on my right side 5 days but don’t have a rash. Started Acyclovir and Norco that day and then Gabapentin the next day. Is there a possibility that I will not develop a rash?
There is a new vaccine for Shingles called "Shingrix" and it is more effective for preventing shingles. It is a 2 dose series that is now available. It is about 90% effective compared to 50% effective for the Zostavax (the previous vaccine mentioned in the video). The doses are given 2-6 months apart to individuals after age 50. Check with your insurance company to see if it is covered. If you get it, make sure to let your doctor know the date that it was given so they can document it in your chart.
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This is the best description and the most helpful video I have seen.
Thank you so much Paul
Thanks for your kind comment.
Five years later...Thanks! Needed this information. Just developed shingles again after forty years and at seventy years old this thing really smarts! Thanks again..
Everything I ever wanted to know about shingles and much more. Thank you so much
Thank you for responding back .God Bless
My grandfather had a terrible bout of shingles in his life. Now at 66 I have developed the shingles. I recently started intermittent fasting where you go 16 hours plus each day without eating. This has brought about a rapid healing of multiple skin problems I had from head to toe. Almost all the other skin problems have cleared up in the last 10 days since I started the intermittent fasting. The shingles is healing very rapidly now. It will be the last of the skin disorders that are healing up. I figure in another 10 days or less that the shingle problem will be totally resolved along with the other skin problems.
Do you have any studies that demonstrate effectiveness of fasting for shingles? You should share the link to the studies that demonstrate comparison and outcomes.
Thanks, Dr Q! I spoke to you as an on-call physician yesterday regarding shingles and wondering if I have it. Your video is VERY educational and easy to understand. The sensation I was having for the last 2 days is gone. So maybe that’s it? Or, as you mentioned, maybe a rash will pop out in a few days, but I am thankful to have had the opportunity to speak to you and see this video. If there are any more symptoms that become unbearable I’ll be sure to follow up with my GP. God bless you for your work and compassion!
I wish you were my doctor, you are so specific with this situation... I just found out yesterday that I might have shingles, I have been in so much pain on my left side, like a burning sensation. It’s so uncomfortable I cry to try to fall asleep, I’m going to see a doctor on Monday morning.. I hope my doctor will be just as specific as you are, thank you for this video
Great video, very informative.
I guess I need to get the shot one day. Great job Paul.
Thank You Dr. Q, for making me aware of this comprehensive video this a.m.. Great job; very helpful.--LD
Nice video content! Sorry for chiming in, I would appreciate your initial thoughts. Have you thought about - Taparton Incredible Cure Takeover (probably on Google)? It is a good one off guide for Curing Shingles minus the normal expense. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my friend after many years got excellent results with it.
Excellent Video clip! Apologies for butting in, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you thought about - Taparton Incredible Cure Takeover (probably on Google)? It is an awesome exclusive product for Curing Shingles without the headache. Ive heard some great things about it and my friend after many years got cool results with it.
Cc SerbSimulator
lavrose I’ve taken my meds. The spots have all dried up. But the pain is unreal. And plz could u tell me when I can have a shower plz?? I been using cleansing whipes
Someone help me. I’m dying for a shower. The spots have dried up. But the pain is unreal. I just want a cool shower. But don’t know when. HELP SOMEONE??
Thank you for your video it was very informative, I have shingles.
Thank you Dr Q.you are talking about me. From february all i feel is hell till now.im 44 years old. I used to have measles ,chicken pox .
My mom has shingles and ur video looked like it might be the best one to watch and i am glad i did because u exsplained it beautifully thank u so much
I had shingles 2 weeks ago, and it was awful. I've always been prone to cold sores or illness when I spend too much time in sun sans a base tan. I'm am RN who has actually participated in drug studies for cold sores. The only thing that has ever cut any viral outbreaks for me, is to do large doses of lysine and lecithin when I know I'm at risk of anything due to my immunity taking a hit ( too much sun). As soon as I realized what was happening, I started the high doses of lecithin & lysine w zovirax (I do not believe zovirax works for me, but it couldn't hurt and I had insurance). My shingles was gone within 5 days of treatment. Note: I did infect a sore accidentally bc I used itching cream on open areas when I was going crazy. The infection almost cost me my leg, but that was my fault for trying to do quick fix sans sanitary methods. I did need pain meds for 2 nights bc of the throbbing burning. Ggod luck to your mom.
@@lynnlynn9124 thank u my mom had 2 spots on her leg that were blistered and popped and became infected now i know they say that shingles stays above the waist but i took her to ER they admitted her for cellulitis and the next day told her she had the shingles she is doing much better and is home her leg is healing it looks a lot better now except for all the dry skin around bottom of leg thank u again God Bless
@@holliev2247 it is rare to have it in the leg and foot, but not unheard of. I didn't think mine was shingles initially, but my lymph nodes were large and very sore by the second night and the blisters showed up a few hours later. It actually went up the inside of my shin and as low as my foot arch, which is where the bacterial infection started. I'm pretty sure it can show up anywhere along the nerve path it follows. Of course, once the bacterial infection started, cellulitis followed --especially since I didn't address it for a few days thinking it was a reaction to the shingles. For me, the lysine and lecithin is far better than any of the Rx antivirals e.g. zovirax. The zovirax would shorten the cold sore outbreak by 24 hours at most. The lysine & lecithin would cause the virus to go inactive (no weeping or exacerbations) within 36 hours, and actually prevent an outbreak if I caught it at first tingle. The Abreva was the drug study I spent a year doing while it was in the last stages of clinical trials and awaiting approval. It is almost $18 for a 2 gram tube (which is more than $3500 per lb I believe) and actually says on the back fine print: can shorten outbreaks by 24 hours. That is insane! I also take extra zinc when I feel any type of illness. While shingles can be a nightmare, the long-lasting repercussions from infection or nerve pain can be as bad, if not worse. I wish your mom the best and think that a good multivitamin and some supplements (calcium & zinc) are a good idea for everyone, especially older women.
@@lynnlynn9124 it is funny u mentioned cold sores also because i had one 2 weeks ago then i had one in cheek of mouth and did not think anything of it because i have had one on lip and in mouth before but then the whole back of my throat was inflamed tounge and insids of cheeks so the day she came home from hospital i went to ER the practitioner nurse asked if i had been under a lot of stress lately and i told her yes she presceibed me some medication for it but my dad gave me a bottle of collodial silver that he bought from this place down the road and that started helping a lot with it since i did not get the meds till a day in a halph later now today i took my son to his doctor just to make sure he did not have anything in his mouth to be on the safe side he has been itchy lately and the doc said he has eczema and that when i have a fever blister to watch him carefully for fever and any rash because skin to skin contact can cause eczema herpi sonwthing or other i cant remember exactly what the word was so yeah a lot going on this way has been crazy but thank u for all ur help and i will tell my mom what u said sweetie again thanks a million
@@holliev2247cold sores are irritating and embarrassing but usually harmless. However, they can be fatal if getting into the wrong area. I'm not a conspiracy theorist at all, but it has always baffled me as to why there is a chicken pox vaccine, but not a herpes vaccine. People spend billions on herpes treatments, and it is rarely fatal. Why would any pharmaceutical co want to cut that kind of income. On that note, It is essential to always clean hands thoroughly after touching a cold sore. If it gets into the eye it can have horrific consequences. I had a patient who had gotten herpes into her eye resulting in herpes encephalitis and her being unable to speak, move, communicate.... She had birthed a baby a few months earlier, which may have triggered a herpes outbreak (any trauma/insult to the body can trigger them) which was accidentally transferred to her eye. Now she was almost a vegetable kept alive on tube feeds and IVs.I also saw on Dr G, how a teen had a reaction to her boyfriend's cold sore and died within 48 hours. Please be hypervigilant about being sanitary when there is a sore present, especially around kids, frail adults... If you get another sore, try the lysine and lecithin and see if there is a significant decrease in length of outbreak. Thanks for your reply.
Thanks Doctor Q.
I have some feed back doc, I have been very depressed and anxious due Autism and watching my mum suffocate and die, I have spent alot of time and I mean alot of time in bed, about 90% of that time I have lay on my left shoulder because my phone charger is on my left, in the past week I have had some worsening tightness in the muscles between my spine and left shoulder, a few days ago as i pushed my left arm down to get up I felt a little sharp pain, this morning I woke up in pain feeling like what I amagine being stabbed is like, someone smashed a few bones with a hammer, I've been to see a doctor, just like you said, one look and see said it's shingles, the reason for my comment is because you say no one knows why it happens, just wondering if I've released the virus by damaging a nerve. I hope that feed back sheds any light on this and thanks for the video.
Maybe your immunity has been compromised bc of depression potentially impacting diet and overall health? I just left a reply to someone else about how large doses of lecithin and lysine helped my shingles improve dramatically in 5 days. I always take daily doses w multivitamin but huge increase in dose during occasional cold sores. So sorry about your mom😪
The answer is that there is no answer... I am sorry to say. I have seen healthy 12 year old patients get shingles. They don't have compromised immune function. It's just bad luck. Get the vaccine after age 50 and decrease your risk. Other people use the opportunity of your misfortune to try and sell you Lecithin, lysine, or tell you to eat certain foods but none of that has been shown to prevent shingles or decrease the severity of the illness.
Thank you
I've been dx with shingles initially on my R hand then spreading to the L hand and prescribed Valacyclovir 1000 mg x 10 days. I continued having new blisters appearing around both hands and random areas on the arms, neck, face and back which, except for hands, dried up quickly and soon gone. I was given another 5 days of Valacyclovir after completing the first round. The healing process has been slow and extremely painful. After listening to you I'm wondering about the pattern of my outbreaks. It has not followed the mid line rule.
Thank you so much! I've heard so much rambling nonsense on this subject. But now I'm convinced I have the long term pain condition and I'm pretty scared about how long this could last. It really hurts, doc. I thought I somehow broke a rib in my sleep when it first started hurting a month ago. Then it felt like I had severe internal bleeding like maybe my gall bladder was torn or maybe an intestinal tear. Now I find out I have a condition that may not subside for years, but it won't kill me? What a kick in the head.
Post-herpetic neuralgia is a frustrating condition. The pain from it is different than other kinds of pain... it is called neuropathic pain and it does not usually respond to the usual pain medications like advil, aleve, and narcotic pain meds. Often the lidocaine patch, amitriptyline, or gabapentin (or some combination of them) can be helpful for this condition. Often people see improvement with their pain over the course of months. Hang in there!
Chad Dickerson ...have shingles now, anti-viral taken first sign of rash, meds done, rash subsides. But nerve pain!!! Crazy/stupid as it wraps left torso under arm across left shoulder blade, pain started @ shoulder blade & continues. Continue meaning rash nearly gone, but pain still here. 4 doctors later nothing, told to 'tough it out' nearly 3wks now, pulling all-niters, some days just feeling yuk. So pls i know exactly how u feel😫
It’s Oct. I got shingles in May. Every time I think it’s clearing up it hits me again. I live in MX. Couldn’t get diagnosed.. Very miserable thing to have and the heat, wow. Thank you for the video.
Wish more doctors did these education health sessions. I was initially exposed to racoon worms a few months ago, did a parasite cleanse with papaya seeds (see Dr. Oz), also had mebendazole. I think it released some toxins, my immune system was stressed, had headache, numbness in my arms, then the shingles appeared. They were mostly itchy at first. I patted Diatomaceous Earth on the rash/blisters to dry them out and that worked well. Im now taking the famvir, but also have sinus congestion on one side and some heaviness in my lungs, along with neck muscle pain. Wondering if this could lead to menningitis?
Excellent explanation
Everything I ever wanted to know about shingles (but was afraid to ask) Great Video Dr, Q and thanks!
how long will the fever symptoms last?
I had pain 6 weeks, saw 3 Drs and they all thought it was a kidney infection and even possibly a kidney stone because I started with a lan UTI that progressively got worse. They did a CT SCAN with and without contrast and probed the painful area but none of them looked at the skin around my torso. The 4th Dr checked the CT SCANS then looked at my skin. She immediately diagnosed me with shingles because I had a red streak following the nerve path.
My neighbor has cerebral palsy and has never had chicken pox even though she was exposed by several siblings and didn't get the vaccine because she is allergic to eggs. She has always told people can't catch child hood diseases. Is this true? I sure don't want her to get chicken pox now because I have shingles.
First of all, thank you for your information. I have shingles and I found it out, on the very early stage, my question to you, do this illness, can have a mild breakdown without getting worse? or have to have a big breakdown? right now I have it very little rashes on the side of my left side of my back and left side of my stomach. Can these rashes can it be very mild as suppose to get a big breakout? Thank you for your response.
Once a patch appears, will it widen or other patches appear? May I spread the rash by scratching and touching it to other parts of my body or is it a subcutaneous , up through the body and then out my skin kind of monster.
Very helpful 🙏
Suffering with it for 2 weeks now.I was having a lot of discomfort for a few days then the rash appeared.It actually feels like a dull stabbing pain at the moment.Rash has faded but pain hasn't decreased whatsoever.
Thank you for this amazing video that clarifies almost everything about shingles. But then even though it's triggered by compromised immune system why some doctors pressure patients to get tested for hiv before treating them ? What if the patient refuses to test... is there a difference in treatment?
Shingles is not related to "compromised" immune system and routine HIV testing is not recommended by experts. You do not need an HIV test before getting treated for Shingles.
Did you mention whether it keeps reoccurring or is this a onetime thing ? I have a rather mild case now.
From my research shingles can reoccur at any point as you can get it more than once. I will get the vaccine called shingrix. It's the latest and best vaccine to get.
wow great info wish I had came to this sight months ago I nowhave shingles and in so much pain cannot stand for clothes To touch me my chest and right arm are all scared up what will help vet rid of the scars? only have had the shingles 2 weeks I look so ugly the pain meds are not helping but she did say that one you mentioned Gab. takes some time to start working
I am so sorry that you are miserable with the shingles! It is a frustrating problem. If you have had them for 2 weeks you could ask your doctor about the lidoderm patch which numbs the nerve from which the pain radiates. Unfortunately the patch can only be used for about a half of a day. The other frustrating problem is that insurances often decided not to cover the cost of the patch. They do this by saying it has to be "pre-authorized" by your doctor. This means that they don't want to pay for it but they want to blame it on us, your doctor/NP, for not getting it for you. The scars gradually heal over but it takes months. Some of the lesions leave scars forever. Gabapentin and amitriptyline are treatments for post-herpetic neuralgia but they take a while to start working. We generally don't diagnose post-herpetic neuralgia until a patient has had symptoms for 4 months. Hang in there Linette... they will get better. You will tell your shingles story to MANY people as you show them your scars.
I have read and listened to 10-15 physician and Dr. Q was by far the best. I am currently in my fourth day of taking Valtrex. Thank goodness I think I had a mild facial shingles attack that started on my right forehead close to my hairline. After the first day of the antiviral the blisters broke out in two other places. After the second day I of the antiviral I have no additional breakouts. Everything has scabbed over and I did go see my opthamologist and was cleared of any eye issues. I wish I had been more aware as I felt the tingling in the area where the first cluster appeared but I'm a big golfer and in the past I have not put on enough sun screen. I am a fitness person and eat healthy but I am 73 in great shape. My analysis is that my skin in that overly sunburned area lowered my immunity.
Maybe that had nothing to do with it. Regarding the post hepatic neuralgia, I continue to have sharp episodic pin prick pain in the occipital area. I have had this issues on occasions before getting shingles but probably the increase is do to the shingles. Advil usually helps but I'm hoping the frequency of this neuralgia will go away. I would also recommend called "Magic Mouthwash" a RX that really helped me because my gums on the right side were so swollen and painful I could hardly open my mouth. The mouthwash number my gums an I think it has an antibiotic in it too.
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge Dr. Q.
David Raque
Your analysis is probably incorrect... shingles is just bad luck. You can't diagnose post-herpetic neuralgia until you have had pain that lasts for more than four months after your original infection (according to the books). Thank you for your kind words about my video... I am glad it was helpful.
Thank you for a most comprehensive explanation. I have shingles around the eye socket, but am under the care of the local public eye clinic. My question is, I have had shingles for almost two weeks, the vesicles are drying up and the pain more or less gone, although I still don’t feel right, or steady on my feet. Would it benefit me to have the anti shingles injection once I feel better?
The "experts" recommend waiting 6 months to get the vaccine after getting shingles. Make sure to get the new vaccine... Shingrix. It is about 90% effective verses the older Zostavax which is about 50% effective. I need to amend the video info to reflect this.
Dr. Q, my husband battled internal shingles a year ago....never got a rash.
It was on his right side.
He was seen by several Drs and even had gallbladder surgery but pain continued. He was finally diagnosed with internal shingles.
A week ago he began having same symptoms itching, burning, stabbing pain but now it’s on the left side.
He saw his Dr and was given gabapentin and omeprazole.
The next day he was in excruciating pain.
He went to ER and had ct scan, X-ray, ECG 12 lead, blood work. All testing came back normal. They gave him Ofirmev, Omnipaque and Zoltan. He was sent home with ibuprofen 800.
The Following day he followed up with his Dr. She ordered more lab work C-reactive protein, CBC and differential, Comprehensive metabolic panel, Erythrocytes sedimentation rate and Urinalysys with microscope. All test came back normal. I asked her if it could be internal shingles since his symptoms are just like those of a year ago but now on his left side Dr. said no because they come back on same side not opposite side. She is going to schedule an MRI.
My husband is a diabetic, and has an autoimmune disorder, could it possibly be internal shingles? What other test could be done to rule out internal shingles?
Can someone post a video discussing shingle vs a metal sheet for roofing??
Thank you for this. I have just today been diagnosed with shingles, and every thing you said rang true, but i have one question. My shingles are around my right forhead and eye, The precursor was extreme sensitivity on my scalp. The thing that has me puzzled is that it was over my entire scalp (ie left AND right) Once the reash started it was just on the right side circling my right eye, with swelling under the eye. I was immediately given an appointment at the local hosital eye center. I am now having some nerve pain and "girding my loins" for a fight. Thanks again for the info.
Make sure you get the right eye evaluated by an eye Dr. because shingles can injure the eye. Typically the eye is at risk for infection if the nose is involved by the rash. The dermatome (nerve pathway) that involves the eye is the opthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. This pathway is high on the head and is very close to the midline so it might be close. Sometimes the inflammation from the rash can cross the midline but it should be mostly on the right...the same side as the rest of the problem. As I mentioned many times before, shingles does NOT involve both sides of the body symmetrically. If it does in your case, you have a case report for the world medical literature.
@@emilyquesenberry9313 Not doubting you in any way. When the rash came out it was only on one side in the form of a circle around my eye, ending almost exactly at the mid-line of my forehead (directly above the nose. It has been nearly a week since I was diagnosed, and I am going back to the Ophthalmologist For another look see in 2 days. Got OK immediately after diagnosis. The asymmetrical mention i made was only in reference to the painful scalp (which was the first sign, I suppose). Sorry if it sounded like I was "nay saying" anything you said. I truly appreciate your efforts to educate us.
Can a child having just received a vaccine for chicken pox give and adult who has never had chicken pox, shingles from contact ?
I have shingles now , im 36 and the doctors i saw hadnt seen it in people my age, they gave me intivirus and gabapentin, seems to ease some pain and the spread of the rash on my back left side, thanks for the video
I hope you feel better. Shingles can be a nasty problem. I have seen 12 year old patients get shingles. You do not always need to treat it under the age of 50 if you are not having significant pain
Thank u so much for ur reply, great video
I'm 23 and currently have it. It's the worst
Is there any connections between a outbreak of Shingles and filler injections? Can I safely get my filler done?
Thank you
I am not sure what you mean by "filler injections". In general, outbreaks of shingles have been blamed on all kinds of things like stress, other infections, etc but no one really knows why people get outbreaks of shingles. It seems to be a bad luck thing.... Yea really, just bad luck.
Does the Post-herpetic neuralgia tend to be just as painful or less painful than the singles themselves (i.e. rash)? Is it ever MORE painful?
It is usually less painful but different and longer lasting. The virus injures the nerve so the pain can last for a long time,
I have shingles right now. It's the most horrific pain I've ever felt. I have it on my face and eye on the right side of my head. I've been on the medication for 11 days now. The eye dr is treating Inflammation in my eye so she is keeping me on the meds at least another week. My issue is the excruciating, constant itching on my head all day and all night. I've tried every topical med I can think of and ibuprofen wont even come close to helping with the pain. My fear is this pain not going away and shingles reoccurring. I am 50 years old here, the picture of good health. I eat right and exercise every day. I will get the shot when this clears up but is there anything I can do for the horrible itching?? I haven't slept in days. I will try anything. I'm desperate.
Thank you, Dr Q but unfortunately you didn't cover my problem but maybe you have some ideas. I am 78 and had shingles 3 months ago which led to encephamyelitis. It has left me with various neurological problems but the main problem I have is intense itching on my whole torso. Is this the usual residue of shingles or something totally separate? Thankyou, AJ
Herpetic encephalitis is a completely different matter. That is a viral infection of the brain/meninges and it is a miserable potentially life threatening problem. It can cause a whole different set of problems. The itching on your torso is possibly related but you need to seek professional help. Itching can be from liver problems, kidney problems, skin problems, and a host of other things.
I been having this shit gor almost a week now right side mid upper back and right rib is killing me feels like im being punch in my rib and kicked on my back and then it switches to some other type of pain like a hot blade stabbing me
From last 1 week I have: 1. A 2 inch area of blisters on inner surface of left elbow. 2. Burning sensation on left part of stomach, though no scar, no blister on stomach. Whenever t-shirt/shirt touches that area, it feels burning pain like sunburn. As both are happening on left side, I think its shingles. No blisters on any part of body apart from elbow. Also, the elbow one is drying away.
Simple question, which doctor should I consult? General Physician, Dermatologist or Neurologist?
Stomach and elbow are too far away from each other to be shingles. It is incredibly rare for shingles to affect 2 areas of the body at the same time. In general, if you do not have a rash you do not have shingles.
Thanks doc for quick response!
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Thanks Doc for enlightening me. I never had chicken pox when I was a child but began feeling the pain just last week and the blisters started three days ago. I am fifty seven and a half years. Why did I got it.
Your story is incredibly common. I am fifty five and many people our age had mild chicken pox and never knew they had it. You HAD to have chicken pox to get shingles. If you want to prove that....you can do blood work to prove it but your insurance company won't pay for it.
Having healthy, clear looking skin within 3 days, it’s just a good feeling. A method such as the one in Kaena Ramingler’s website, that I found googling, can make shingles die off easily. One other alternative could be heavier antivirals, that do have their place.
Kaena wants $37.77 to tell you about his great cure in 3 days. Most likely he has gathered some alternative info that can be of use to those who suffer from shingles. I started intermittent fasting 10 days ago and the shingles I had for months on my neck and shoulder is going away very rapidly. The small pox virus can get activated when the body becomes too toxic. The safest way to gradually detoxify is to go on intermittent fasting. By detoxifying the body not only is shingles addressed but just about everything else that is threatening the quality of your life. Do a search on intermittent fasting. Try that out for free. Save the $37.77.
I just found out I have shingles today. :( On Monday I felt a sharp pain in my fore arm, I thought a insect bite me but I didn't see one. On Tues and Wed, my forearm turn red/swollen, then a cluster yet linear chicken pox looking rash developed on my forearm/upper arm. The dermatologist said she thought I had shingles but she said I'm young to have it. I'm not surprised because I have been under a lot of stress in the last year and I think my immune system has been suppressed. My forearm is little sore, but not very painful mainly very itching...I'm kind of upset, cause the rash is soo unsightly and uncomfortable. I'm going to visit a immunologist on Tues, to check my immune system.
My mom recently got shingles This past Sunday I took her in to Urgent care the following morning and got her on the antiviral meds that same day. If you go on the meds within the 72 hours will the virus go away faster and lessen any possible complications?
Also my mom said I had the chicken pox as a kid so does that mean if i come in contact with the fluid from the shingles I won't get anything? also can u get it from that persons salviya or bodily fluids.
Also one last questions I just wanted to get educated about this its so sureal to me my mom got it. What's the best way to keep the area clean and to handle clothes etc from someone who has it just wear cloves and wash your hands often?
Thank you Doc informative video.
The antiviral medication is not like an antibiotic. The antiviral medication (valacyclovir, famcyclovir, acyclovir, etc) decreases the intensity and duration of the illness but does NOT kill the virus like an antibiotic does. It works better the sooner it is given and its effectiveness is limited if it is started after 48-72 hours after the appearance of the rash. Many experts do not recommend taking antiviral medication if the rash has been present for more than 48-72 hours.
You do NOT get shingles from someone else, you can only get it from yourself. The varicella-zoster virus shows up in your body as chicken pox first, hangs out for decades, then comes out again as shingles. You can contact her body fluids all you want and you will not get shingles. It is possible to get chickenpox from someone who has shingles lesions that are actively sheddiing the virus. So if you have already had the chicken pox you can help her all you want without gloves and you will not get it.
It sounds like you are freaking out a little about the shingles but I would not freak out. Most people do fine with shingles and it blows over without any problem.
Thanks for the reply Doctor very informative info. Tomorrow is my moms last day taking the valtrex it was given for 7 days after its discontinued will the rash heal on its own? she is developing crust but not the whole thing has crusted over will it require more of the medication or just wait?
Thanks
Paul Quesenberry l
ive had shingles for 2 week but my rash didnt get blinsters just red bumps painfull fells like my skin is burning. i search many web sites and its says blister after rash and my rash didnt blister. whats the r a ason for that please reply as in curious to know why
Sometimes the rash just forms papules (red bumps) and not vesicles (fluid filled bumps). They are painful either way because the problem is the Varicella-Zoster virus growing in the nerve body and injuring the nerves that send feeling to that part of the body.
Paul Quesenberry
thank you so much for your reply
i have diagnose as having a chicken pox right now, but i havent got this virus until i was 33 (current age) but the symptoms somehow shows a combination of cpox and shingles and i am confuse if this is really a cpox, i got red fluid in my scalp actually now its all over my face but currently doesnt infect the middle nose, but the right side in lower part of my eye i got red bump and red fluid bumps. in case of my previous diagnose, i got impetigo in my left side of my face but not all, only a little. also i didnt got flu but i got dry cough. so is this really a chicken pox or is this already a shingles? i hope you can reply to my question. thank you very much.
You should watch the video. Shingles is a defined rash that follows a clear band over a small part of the body... only on one side. Chicken pox is almost always a generalized rash and not usually preceeded by pain/tingling.
@@paulquesenberry4461 thank you so much for the fast reply, i watched it fully, its just i got confused, i believed this is chicken fox, cause its itchyness is so irritating, this gives me nightmare as i cant fully sleep at night due to the itchyness.
I had shingles when I was 28. But no pain or itching. The blisters lasted for 3 month. But I the whole time I got some other infections and had fever and I felt really tired. My vitamin d b12 and iron was very low. I got medications the rush healed but the tiredness isn't gone. My temperature is mostly 38 degrees and I have night sweat.
Hi heard your video am very happy with the knowledge you shared so explicitly my dad has shringles since jan 7th 2019.He was on antiviral for a week but pain has lessened to what it was but still bothersome he is on trimethazone but due to its side effects can he use it with a combination with Gabapentin..awaiting your reply ..
I am not sure what Trimethazone is. The one reference tells me that it is donepezil which we do NOT use for shingles pain in the US. Your father is still in the acute phase of the illness which is different than post herpetic neuralgia. Post herpetic neuralgia is diagnosed four months after the initial outbreak as I outlined in the video. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and nortriptyline are the medications that seem to be best in LONG term for post herpetic neuralgia. Gabapentin is a second choice for post herpetic neuralgia. For the short term the Lidoderm (lidocaine) patch can be helpful but that is only used for 12-15 hours per day. You have to remove it for part of the day or it looses its effectiveness.
Thank you Sir for your prompt reply but will clear your confusion .My father (80 yrs old ) on 7th jan 2019 had rash on right side of the chest..We saw a dermatologist and he put him on antiviral therapy for 7 days.He is applying lacto calamine and taking vit B12.Now he has started taking calcium K2 tablets which contains calcium,magnesium zinc etc.He is taking amitripteline 10mg twice .at 6 pm and 10 pm .For sleep is taking alprazolam0.25.He has high blood pressure too.How much mobility can he do ?He has relief in the pain about 60%.So for the residual pain do you advise Gabapentin 100 mg and amitripteline 10 mg twice to reduce the side effecs of more drugs ?
We live in India which part are you based would love to know ..thank you
Cure shingles. Eat freshcut pineapples. 1-2 cups for 2-3 days.
Nikola Rodman ....doing pineapple thing, i wait, & wait as its a great anti-inflammatory
This worked for me.
Cups? So fresh cut or fresh squeezed? Your confusing me.
Hello doctor! Is there any way I can connect with you ?
What is on your mind?
Paul Quesenberry I have like a patch of skin on my genitals what is growing! It's been there for like a couple of months and it's discolored! What do I do? I'm worried sir!
Hey Dr. Q - I'm 50 and I had some discomfort on the outside of my left tricep a week ago. Burning, itchy and sore. A day or 2 later I developed 3 clusters of red bumps , an area the diameter of a tennis ball. They are still quite red and sore and the area around my arm hyper sensitive but overall, look a little better. I didn't want to bother my doc during flu season. Do you think since it doesn't seem too serious that it can go away on its own or should I still get it looked at? Now that I've had shingles, am I now immune like with chickenpox or should I still get vaccinated?
If you are 50 and it is not bothering you very much it is reasonable to forego treatment.
@@paulquesenberry4461 Thanks for the reply. Cheers!
Female, and 67 I have had a terrible case of Shingles since the first full week of April, it is now July 3. I have been in so much pain, about 5-6 kinds. Pain meds did not work. Gabapentin...300 mg. every 8 hours did help. I have suffered with difficulty breathing since first of May. Finally, got doctors to take this serious. Prednisone has helped, by making the blisters stop trying to break out. I don't think I got on the proper protocol soon enough. I am getting better and the pain is better, but the effect it has and continues to have on my lungs is no laughing matter. Very, very scary. I have never had asthma in my life, I say this as some seem to think that it might be a precursor to lung issues with Shngles. Inhaler 's are useless! Breathing treatments are helpful if you can get someone to give them to you and better get allow you to buy the thing to have at home. A few times I pretty much thought I was a goner, as I thought this thing was going to put me 6feet under. F you get this bad you could die, or wish you were. The older you are the more scary this is if you are alone. I had Jesus and a husband that could get me to my many E.R. Visits. God Bless. Get the vaccine. My husband and I had been on a waiting list for the vaccine for 8 months when I got this dreaded Shingles. I could have avoided this or at least a horrible case like this. I am not out of the woods yet. I wonder if this child hood chicken pox vaccine has car this increase in Shingles. I also wonder how children who have gotten the chicken pox vaccine can end up with Shingles at age 8 or 9? Also why are more young adults getting the Shingles since they began vaccinations in the late 1990s? Suspicious!!!! Still not well!
Is shingles along the c5 dermatome(back of neck into shoulder and down arm) common, and can the virus do any destruction to bones, tendons, etc?
Can it permanently inflame or destroy nerve?
If TENS Machine gives some relief, does the electricity further inflame nerve?
Shingles can affect the body anywhere from head to toe. The virus does not cause any destruction to bones, tendons, or soft tissue unless there is a secondary infection or other complication of the disease. These kind of complications are unusual in otherwise healthy individuals. The "permanently inflame or destroy a nerve" question is answered by knowing that a small number of patients have long term pain related to post herpetic neuralgia. I would say months to years of pain is a yes.
Thanks for responding. Do you think the electricity from a tens machine would delay the calming of the nerve if the pain is in the neck/shoulder area? My shingles started 10 tens ago with this pain and while I caught the rash early and just finished 7 days of valtrex, the pain continues unabated even as the rash has all but disappeared and never even blistered. The tens is the only thing to bring a bit of relief.
Hi Dr Q, Just like to know , how for how long shingles can be contagious? Can I get close to a pregnant woman? I'm a bit concern,my family from overseas are coming over and I don't want to cause any problems, the baby just turn 4 months, and my other niece is pregnant too.Thank you
The time period of contagiousness is variable. . If you keep them covered and wash your hands you should be ok. Often they are contagious as long as the vesicles are present... the clear fluid filled blisters. The pregnant family members are OK as long as they have had chicken pox. If they had chicken pox they are immune to the virus as I mentioned in the video.
Thank you so much Paul Q,
I didn't get chicken pox till I was 35 years old . Now I'm 57 . My PC Doc gave me some antibiotics, and 5 days of Prednisone. He wants me to get blood work, to confirm it . I also have herpes , been taking acyclovir . I have vocal cord cancer, they removed my vocal cords , voice box & lymph nodes . My neck hurts the worst, and I'm so congested, really thick crap . Is that normal to be so congested ?
Sounds like you have had a really frustrating time with several illnesses. It is hard to tell what is going on because you have several things going on at the same time. Some people do not get chicken pox until later in life but that is unusual and it can be confirmed by blood work. It sounds like you will need some specific help sorting out these symptoms and getting to the bottom of the problem.
Good evening Dr.can shingle get into your fingersand damage your nerves in them if your dr.respond late
Shingles can affect any area of your body. You would most likely have had a rash down your arm and/or hand when you initially had the outbreak.
I have shingles and im only 23 im so scared to come back again 😔😔😔😔😔
Hey doc,
I'm 23 and have been diagnosed with shingles in the face. It started on my nose wing, and spreaded to my upper lip and two spots on my cheek. I got used to the burning skin sensation and eye pain. But my teeth are soo sensitive, I can only drink room tempature water and eating hurts. It's like really bad tootache and you need a root kanal. Is this normal? And will it improve, I'm on day 7 and the spots on my face have dried up and didn't spread any further.
Also even breathing with my mouth open makes me almost cry I.only have an antiviral cream for the eye. Should I go back to my docter and get the oral antiviral?
The pain will improve as time passes. The video will tell you about the usual course of the illness. The younger you are the less likely you are to have long term problems with it. I hope you feel better!
One more question: I am having muscle pain in the exact area on my back where the worst rash is. It is definitely not the surface but very deep in the muscle, like a muscle spasm. Is this normal or do you see muscle issues like this with singles sometimes?
He mentioned this in the video mate, yes, he said the virus/disease lays dormant in your nerves, I can tell you I feel like I have broken bones in my back because of this, or a hole, so yes it's normal.
I suffered for several months before the blisters appeared. Thought I had pancreases, or kidney stones, I also have scoliosis so thought it was that? Then yesterday? BAM the shingles blisters appeared on my right bra strap rib line. Answers all my numbness questions now! I am gonna fast with the antivirals from the DOC and see? Fasting heals so much so why not this?
I had 2x cortisone injections and got shingles instantly along 2 nerve lines. Im in a great deal of pain as I have the original back pain from As.. Is this common from cortisone, does it weaken the immune system?
I’m pretty sure I have shingles. A few days ago I started experiencing a horrible headache and some throat pain. I then started experiencing a rash on my right leg leading down to my toe. My leg and my toes are in so much pain. I have had chicken pox as a kid. I’ve been taking nsaids to help with the pain but I’m still experiencing this burning/tingling sensation on my toe .
Recommendations are on the video if it is shingles. If the pain is severe and the rash is less than 2 days old treatment with antiviral medication is reasonable. There are other pain relief options but none are 100% effective. This is a frustrating problem. It is hard to diagnose without seeing it so I can't tell you what it is without evaluation.
am soooooo miserable the pain will not stop. deep pain in my ear and behind going down my neck. gabapentin is not working. tramadol was not effective. loratab did not cover the stabbing. toradol seemed to help a bit. back to dr twice to get diagnosis. am i to understand this pain could last 4 months please please tell me after all the blisters heal it is not as severe pain
try intermittent fasting. That is what is working best for the shingles that I have.
Mitchell ....i bought some nerve pain oil, as 3wks now & yesssss, nerve pain is crazy/stupid. Oil kinda works, dulls it, doing advil(3pills) and advilpm(1)@ nite as it keeps me down atleast 4hrs. Yes this is crazy, oh and rash subsides nearly 2wks ago
Mitchell ....oh, yes, change ur diet during this episode, more fruit, leafy veggies, lots h2o
Mitchell try vapor rub, Matys organic, seems to work on nerve pain.
So I was just diagnosed with shingles a day ago, I am 30 years old. I asked my doctor if I could get the shingles vaccine. He seemed hesitant and replied that I need to take antiviral first and then we can discuss it. Will doctors deny younger people who have gotten this the vaccinne because we arent of the right age for the shingles vaccine?
The developers of the vaccine do not recommend it for patients under the age of 50 as Shingles is USUALLY a mild illness for those individuals. I say usually but not always as some individuals under the age of 50 have a bad time with shingles. You CAN get the vaccine... just tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are willing to pay out of pocket for it.
Thanks a lot dr is the shingles vaccine is good enough for once in life time or has to be done repeatedly?
The new shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is supposed to be 90% effective for life.
im 35 years old and just got shingles on the right side of my back. mom said i never had chickenpox as a kid and i did have chickenpox vaccine. what is the liklihood of me getting shingles again after this??? my main concern is bc id like to get pregnant within the next 2 yrs
If you watched my video, you know that you HAVE to get chickenpox before you get shingles. No worries for pregnancy.
Thank you Dr Q, for the information. I got shingles once gain too many times, so far 8 times, but every time is different, the worse pain is the nerve system, the virus does not completely disappear from the body but stays dormant in the nerves close to the spine for long time, Post-herpetic neuralgia stay in my body for about 4 months after the rush was gone ,this is terrible.. Unfortunately now I got shingles again, I thought, somehow broke a rib and pull my back some how when it first started hurting a week ago . Then the rush appears but this time my mouth got infected too, I can't describe how this virus is affected me , I can't find words, but just like to ask you, with diabetes can I safely receive zoster vaccine or not ? Been with shingles so many times and doctors still don't won't to approve the vaccine. , What else I can do? Hope you can give me some ideas. Thank you
Patients with diabetes CAN get the vaccine. The "experts" are not sure about the best timing of the vaccine after you get an active case of the shingles. The information from the ACIP gives an expert opinion that says that it would be best to wait about 6 months after having shingles to get the vaccine. It sounds like you have bad luck with shingles so it might be a good idea to get the vaccine if you are over the age of 60-65.
Thank you Dr. Q, for giving me the information...
I am 40 and have had shingle ' attacks' for around 4 years now. It first started on my left wrist/forearm with my hand losing strength first and I was unable to pinch my thumb and finger together. Then the pain came straight up my forearm to my elbow for s week then the rash/blisters. Doctors failed to diagnose for about a week or so meaning I was late taking anti viral meds. I now get an attack every 4-5 months in my arm. I also had an attack in my RIGHT arm which is not supposed to happen lol. When I have sttacks I also lose feeling in my legs which go to jelly. At this moment in time they are testing me for M.S and all sorts and I am sitting here with an attack happening ( about a week now) in my face. Pain down my forehead to my nose and across my right eye lid. Also my cheekbone feels like I have had a whack from Tyson. No blisters though ...my right side has gone numb with pins and needles type effect which is worrying. Apart from this I am wonderful lol. Living with shingles is hell and lucky you if it comes and goes quickly never to return. Good luck everyone.
If you take the antiviral medication more than 72 hours after the rash appears they are not beneficial according to the "experts". I doubt that your underlying problem is/was shingles. It is unusual for Post herpetic neuralgia to cause "attacks" as you are describing. Post-herpetic neuralgia causes persistent neuropathic pain but not motor symptoms (weakness like your legs "go to jelly"). If you had shingles in your leg it would not also cause symptoms in your face. Shingles definitely does NOT causes one sided symptoms, that is, the right side of your body getting paresthesias.
@@paulquesenberry4461 thanks so much for your reply. I have read that shingles can cause swelling in the brain...would this not maybe a cause of the weakness in my legs or the numbness?? I have had shingles about 6 times in my left arm/elbow and once on right arm upper/shoulder. This is first time on face though but no blisters yet. What else could it be in your opinion and do you think M.S and weak immune system is possibility?
Varicella-Zoster encephalitis is incredibly rare in immunocompetent patients (patients who have normally functioning immune systems). If you had shingles 6 times in the same place you and your doctor should write it up for a medical journal... I have never heard of that.
@@paulquesenberry4461 We had better start writing then ;). I am waiting for results to see if I have M.S which may answer a few questions?
My son just came down with shingles but has never had chicken pox. How? What else could it be?
You CANNOT get shingles without prior infection with chickenpox. Many patients have subclinical infection with chickenpox, ie. they have a mild infection and think they have had a bad cold.
Great information! I'm an RN and have done my research so I think I have shingles. But my hubby, a computer systems analyst, thinks the blistery rash on the right side of my neck is poison ivy .... I haven't been outside tho. Wonder who is right? I have fibromyalgia so the whole pain thing? The answer is yes indeed!
I had lower back surgery at the last of Nov 2017 got shingles at the last of Dec they go away and then they come back I have taken gabapentin till I'm sick of it I don't know why this keeps going on is there anything I can do I have thought about a immune system Dr. I have had them 5 times I am desperate.
It is common (unfortunately) for shingles to happen after surgery or an acute illness. Shingles does not come back in the same place again and again. Your one shingles infection injured the nerves and is causing the dysesthesias (painful sensations) that you now feel. If it lasts for more than 4-6 months after the rash occurs, you have post-herpetic neuralgia. The best medicine for post herpetic neuralgia according to the "experts" is amitriptyline or nortriptyline. Gabapentin is a reasonable second choice. The other medication that works well is talked about in my video (but is not usually covered by your insurance so you will have to pay out of pocket for it). It is the lidocaine patch and you have to make sure it is applied correctly. Good luck and I am sorry you are having a crappy time with the shingles.
By the way, I don't know what an "immune system doctor" is but I do not suspect they will be able to fix your pain.
Yes 5 times and there not in same spot they are on my right hip and right side of back each time on different area except once and they were on the left side of my neck and ear and face. I have taken all the medicines you have talked about . I e en had someone tell me to eat or drink nothing for 24 hours that you can starve them
I suspect Shingles and Bells Palsy can be passed between adults who have had chickenpox. At my work place it came in waves. (Yes I know common explanation is that you will only spread chicken pox when u have shingles). I hope some further research will be done.
If you understood the immunology of the Varicella-Zoster Virus, you would laugh at the statement above.
@@paulquesenberry4461 he lost me at the "spread chickenpox while you have shingles" part. I just had shingles 2 weeks ago and did v large doses of lysine and lecithin. Shingles disappeared in 5 days, thankfully. Unthankfully, sores got infected after I used itching cream on open areas and I needed iv antibiotics. I'm very fair skinned, and have only ever had serious illnesses hit in the summer bc I think the sun really hurts my immunity. I have never had any significant results w antivirals for cold sores, but have had huge improvements w the lecithin & lysine. I don't get the sores often, so it took years of comparing healing times. I would recommend to any patients suffering (especially of they are naturally gingers like I am).
What do you do if you still have pain after completing your shingles tablets course.
Pain after completing the antiviral medication would be expected. The virus injures the nerves and that can last months. If you watched the video, I talked about several different types of medicine for treatment. There are meds for helping to kill the virus and then there is treatment for the pain. Some people never get complete relief of the pain. The video talks about different options for treating the pain.
Hi Dr., great tutorial. When does the 72hrs start of needing to begin the antivirals. Is it when you first feel the itch and pain or when the blisters appear?
The antiviral medication is most effective if it is started within 48 hours from the appearance of the rash. Some people say 72 hours but the sooner it is started the more effective is is. The "prodrome"...the pain and itching is NOT a part of the time period that is counted in the 48 hours...
Thanks for your reply. So I've started the antiviral, but let's say I'm not sure if the blisters showed possibly 4 days prior to starting--are they totally ineffective and not worth taking?
Chicken shingles are scientifically worse than chicken fingers.
I have shingles on my left side of my face and scalp. Am being treated with antiviral meds and a cream. I'm 70 and just recently had the flu followed by pneumonia. I'm also a diabetic. Very painful!
Just got bronchitis and shingles at 18
I have shingles and I have only 20 years old.
Do you have a lot of stress? I feel for you. This is my 3ed week with them.
I'm 23 and have a bad case of shengels on my face up into my eye right now. It's the worst pain I've ever been in and I've broken my jaw and my arm before. It's no joke.
I've had shingles on face , eyebrow head and forehead for 8 months now.im going nuts
my back and right side was acheing for a few days I couldn't lean on that right side or lie on my Back just so much Pain. few days later I had it on my Stomach above my belly button and on my right side and on the Back so much Agony. I just need a good cream so I can sit back
HI Warren, agony describes it perfectly
Hi. After you have had shingles, can it return? And should you still get the vaccine? Thank you
Yes, you can get shingles multiple times. In fact, the older you get the more severe you tend to get shingles so it is a good idea to get the vaccine. The vaccine is about 50-70% effective for preventing the shingles.
My son is 21 and never had chicken pox since he had the vaccine. How is it possible that he got shingles?
There are several possibilities. I am assuming that he has a rash at present that has been diagnosed as shingles. By the way, most "experts" do not recommend treatment of shingles in a 21 year old unless their symptoms are miserable, they are immunocompromised (or have some underlying condition that compromises their ability to fight off viral infections), or the symptoms become systemic (they have more than just the rash). The first possibility is that your son had chickenpox even though he had the vaccine. The vaccine is pretty good but not 100% effective. 21 years ago there was still a lot of chickenpox out there. Nowadays there is very little chickenpox circulating in our communities. The second possibility is that the rash he has right now is NOT shingles.
You need to come to Australia and teach some of the doctors how to interact with there patients instead of just trying to make as much money as possible. They seem to get you in and out as quickly as possible.
No chicken pox and today I was diagnosed with shingles🙁
U had it
How come i got shingles but never had chickenpox?
You had chickenpox but you may have had a mild case of them and not remembered. This is really common. You can do a blood test to prove this but we don't usually need to do this test to diagnose the illness. The virus is called the Varicella-Zoster Virus and you can check in your blood for the Varicella-Zoster Virus IgG, which is the long term antibody to the virus. Your insurance company won't usually pay for the test because it is "not medically necessary" so it will be an out of pocket expense.
It doesn't matter. Eat freshcut pineapple for 2-3 days. And anything else you want. Pineapple cured me. Spread the word. Peace friend
I got shingles but don't remember getting chicken pox where's the logic in that?
doctor is it common to get shingles in the age of 19
You can get shingles at any age. I have seen 12 year old patients with shingles. The only prerequisite is a chickenpox infection. The younger you are the less likely you are to have significant pain or long term problems. In fact, many "experts" don't recommend treatment with medication for patients under the age of 50 unless their symptoms are severe or there are other compromising circumstances.
so should I avoid medication and let it heal naturally .. I been taking a lot of medications for the past two days
I had fever, headaches, muscle pain in the back of my shoulders and chest once the shingles showed up?
Adrian philip ...i had it when i was 9-10yrs & again in jr.high
I get reoccurring shingles every month just before my period imagine always having up burning rash it goes for a couple of weeks and then guaranteed it's back again I'm sick of always feeling run down tired and all the bad scarring it's left the only thing I found that really does help my shingles is coconut oil
That is NOT shingles.
@@paulquesenberry4461 The first time I got it i was so run down ill & tired the rash wasn't to bad I actually thought I had a spider bite.That was till it returned again a few months later it was so painful & burning. It then happened again another couple months later I was sent to a dermatologist who took swabs & results showed Herpes zoster (Shingles) They reoccur in the same place.The outbreaks aren't as bad as they used to be but I've noticed every few months before my period il get shingles
OK Sitting here 11 pm about an hour & a half ago BOTH my legs from above my ankles to my knees have been tingling & itching like mad-cant fall asleep When I rub the areas it seems to stop As soon as stop rubbing it starts again The tingling is NOT like a charlie horse type Its a constant pins/tingle on both legs Ever hear of this?
Shingles would not cause symptoms in both legs like this. This kind of itching and tingling is more likely to be a neuropathy or back issue.
thanx for responding It went away
l lysine, vitamin c, oil of oregano and high dose vit D/K2
silkhead44 Take anti viral meds!
silkhead44 ...great! But still need anti-virals as this virus can be serious
silkhead44 What do you do with the Oil of Oregano? Topical or orally?
Well, feeling how the blisters on my torso began to shrink within 3 days was very soothing, I applied what I talked about the other day and in two weeks the pain was gone. I just go'ogled Kaena Ramingler's Shingles Solution and now I feel as smooth and relaxed as I've ever been.
Can I pop my shingles blisters? I have it on my right palm
Heart Marie Deiparine
NO
I started with excruciatingly sharp pain on my right side 5 days but don’t have a rash. Started Acyclovir and Norco that day and then Gabapentin the next day. Is there a possibility that I will not develop a rash?
Irma Bosquez o
Vaccine did not work for me!!
That is incredibly frustrating! The old vaccine is about 50-70% effective and the newer vaccine is supposed to be about 90% effective.
There is a new vaccine for Shingles called "Shingrix" and it is more effective for preventing shingles. It is a 2 dose series that is now available. It is about 90% effective compared to 50% effective for the Zostavax (the previous vaccine mentioned in the video). The doses are given 2-6 months apart to individuals after age 50. Check with your insurance company to see if it is covered. If you get it, make sure to let your doctor know the date that it was given so they can document it in your chart.