Shingles

[xelasnave]

I got it hem two weeks ago.
Minor blisters but the left arm painful.
It is from having chichen pox.
There is a vaccine and I encourage all members 60 plus to look into the matter.
There is a wait so get your name down.
Leaves one extremely down.
Be warned.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Damn can't edit..guess what I would fix.
Alex

[julianh72 (Julian)]

Alex, you have my total sympathy.

I contracted shingles just before Christmas, (around half of the torso in my case), and it laid me out for about two weeks. I'm still recovering - I still have a tingling sensation around the waist, which only stops when it is replaced by a sensation of pressure (like being hugged too hard), and my general fitness / endurance is still way down on where it usually sits. I reckon I've got another 2 - 3 week before I'm fully back to my usual self.

[Atmos (Colin)]

I've heard of the nastiness that comes with shingles, feel sorry for you!

[JA]

Sorry to hear you're not well Alex. It may help to treat it with some antiviral drugs and also all the good stuff for your immune system.

Get well soon

Best
JA

[xelasnave]

Thanks but my concern is for others.
If you are 60 plus seek the needle don't put it off.
I will be OK I can handle suffering I stay calm and remember I am but a spek in the universe.
But please seeing I have found out save yourselves.
Alex

[speach (Simon)]

you poor *******

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

My sympathies

Just a reminder the Shingles vaccine- zostavax is free for those aged 70-79 on the immunisation schedule.
And if you do feel like you have it- don't delay- anti- virals are technically only PBS supported for within 72hrs of onset of rash. They reduce infectivity and post infection pain. Any rash with blisters and pain would be suspicious for shingles. Usually you notice the pain/burning first.
Get well soon!
Graz

[deanm (Dean)]

The bug that causes Chicken Pox is a member of the herpes virus family.
During the initial infection, the virus inserts its own DNA into the DNA of your peripheral nerve cells, where it sits dormant until activated by some stressor. You can never be rid of it.
It uses your nerve cells to get around - which is why episodes of shingles follow a physical pattern, usually around your torso.
An old friend of mine had such an infection in the nerves of one of her eyes as a young child. She ended up with permanently very-degraded vision in the infected eye & has to take medication for the rest of her life to avoid recurrence, so it's not just an annoying or uncomfortable - it can do real damage.
Follow Alex's advice.
Dean

[Shiraz (Ray)]

agreed - vaccine if you can.

For the last 8 years, my wife has has had post shingles nerve pain - it will go on for the rest of her life and greatly limits her ability to do normal things. Her quality of life was roughly halved by this $%^#^ virus.

thanks for the thread Alex - get well.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Get well! I too have had shingles...it was not fun.

Get the shot if you can.

[Exfso (Peter)]

Thanks for that, I turn 70 in May, so it should be free then...

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi Peter

Good idea to get the free vaccination. You should book in with your GP as ours told us that they were rationed to 10 per week and there is a bit of of rush on them as the word gets out. My wife got the freeby but I was just outside the top range so I had to pay about $125 for my jab - well worth it I think.

Cheers Peter

[leon]

Bloody hell Alex that is just not good mate, I do wish
for a speedy recovery.
I will be thinking of you.

Leon

[xelasnave]

I beat it.
Was pretty down for a while, arm got better rash went away, doc visit saw skin cancers sorted so all is good.
Alex

[xelasnave]

The doctor didn't suggest a vac...it occurred later maybe my appearance he pegged me as an anti vaxer...
May getting over it it does not come back.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I am not anti VAX to be clear.
Alex

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

I am not a Medical Doctor...I understand that shingles can come back a second time but this is unlikely to happen. It is rare to come down with a third case too but not impossible.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

I am not a Medical Doctor...I understand that shingles can come back a second time but this is unlikely to happen. It is rare to come down with a third case too but not impossible.

Hi,

The doc told me that the risk of a recurrence is higher than previously thought, about 1 in 3 people who had a previous episode.

That puzzled me, I wondered how they could have under estimated it in the past. Maybe it was under-reported.

He said too that the worse it was the first time, the more the odds edge up for a second round. I plan a vaccination as well, it was a shocker when I was 18.

Cheers

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

I beat it.
Was pretty down for a while, arm got better rash went away, doc visit saw skin cancers sorted so all is good.
Alex

Excellent,

You know that's a really great thing about astronomy, the risk of skin cancer is low

Cheers