Get Well SOON OSO member excavator!
12-22-2003, 11:39 AM
#13
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brick NJ
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Paulie
I really like pain cause it feels so good when it goes away!!!!!!!!! My wife went through that a few years ago, real night mare. Hope you feel better soon. Smitty
12-22-2003, 11:39 AM
#14
Gold Member
Gold Member
For those that don't know what "shingles" is:
What is shingles?
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection of the nerve roots. It causes pain and a band of rash that spreads on one side of your body. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you've had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant (inactive) in your nerve roots. If it becomes active again, it causes shingles, not another case of chickenpox.
What causes shingles?
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your nerve roots. In some people, it stays dormant for the rest of their lives. In others, the virus can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened, possibly by disease, aging, or stress.1
What are the symptoms of shingles?
Early symptoms of shingles include headache, sensitivity to light, and flulike symptoms without a fever. You may then feel itching, tingling, or extreme pain in the area where a rash will develop several days later. The rash commonly occurs on the back or neck. The rash progresses into clusters of blisters that then fill with pus and eventually crust over. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal, although some scars may remain.2
The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia—pain that continues even after shingles heals. Another complication is a spreading rash called disseminated zoster. A dangerous complication of shingles occurs when the rash develops on the forehead, cheek, nose, and around one eye; this is called herpes zoster opthalmicus. Herpes zoster opthalmicus can potentially threaten your sight. Immediate treatment should be sought for this type of shingles outbreak.2 Early treatment of shingles with antiviral medications may prevent herpes zoster opthalmicus.3
How is shingles treated?
Shingles is difficult to treat. Antiviral medications (such as acyclovir or famciclovir) can reduce pain and duration of this condition. Sometimes antiviral medications are combined with other medications, such as corticosteroids, for more effective treatment. If medications are begun within the first 2 to 3 days of the rash, your chances of developing complications of shingles, such as postherpetic neuralgia, decrease.
If you do develop complications of shingles, antidepressants and topical creams are sometimes used to reduce pain and speed recovery.
Who gets shingles?
You are at risk for developing shingles if you:1
Had chickenpox, even a mild case. You cannot develop shingles if you have not had chickenpox.
Are over the age of 50.
Have an autoimmune disease.
Have another medical condition or stress that weakens the immune system, such as HIV, cancer, or diabetes.
What is shingles?
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection of the nerve roots. It causes pain and a band of rash that spreads on one side of your body. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you've had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant (inactive) in your nerve roots. If it becomes active again, it causes shingles, not another case of chickenpox.
What causes shingles?
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your nerve roots. In some people, it stays dormant for the rest of their lives. In others, the virus can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened, possibly by disease, aging, or stress.1
What are the symptoms of shingles?
Early symptoms of shingles include headache, sensitivity to light, and flulike symptoms without a fever. You may then feel itching, tingling, or extreme pain in the area where a rash will develop several days later. The rash commonly occurs on the back or neck. The rash progresses into clusters of blisters that then fill with pus and eventually crust over. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal, although some scars may remain.2
The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia—pain that continues even after shingles heals. Another complication is a spreading rash called disseminated zoster. A dangerous complication of shingles occurs when the rash develops on the forehead, cheek, nose, and around one eye; this is called herpes zoster opthalmicus. Herpes zoster opthalmicus can potentially threaten your sight. Immediate treatment should be sought for this type of shingles outbreak.2 Early treatment of shingles with antiviral medications may prevent herpes zoster opthalmicus.3
How is shingles treated?
Shingles is difficult to treat. Antiviral medications (such as acyclovir or famciclovir) can reduce pain and duration of this condition. Sometimes antiviral medications are combined with other medications, such as corticosteroids, for more effective treatment. If medications are begun within the first 2 to 3 days of the rash, your chances of developing complications of shingles, such as postherpetic neuralgia, decrease.
If you do develop complications of shingles, antidepressants and topical creams are sometimes used to reduce pain and speed recovery.
Who gets shingles?
You are at risk for developing shingles if you:1
Had chickenpox, even a mild case. You cannot develop shingles if you have not had chickenpox.
Are over the age of 50.
Have an autoimmune disease.
Have another medical condition or stress that weakens the immune system, such as HIV, cancer, or diabetes.
Platinum Member
12-22-2003, 09:39 PM
#18
OSO Content Provider
Commercial Member
I wish a quick recovery for you Excavator!
