I'm off work again as I've been diagnosed with shingles. I have a rash on the back of my neck and scalp.

Before today, I'd never realised what Shingles is. I just thought it was some kind of pain which only old people get. Apparently, if you have chicken-pox as a child, the virus stays dormant within your spinal cord but can re-activate if your immune system is weakened by stress, old-age or an auto-immune disorder. I've been reading up on it on the net. Some of the pictures are horrible and my rash is nowhere near as bad as that.

Earlier this year, I developed tonsillitis which I'd never had before - not even as a child. I've generally been feeling very run-down and tired for the past twelve months or so. In the past, I've just put this down to stress.

However, after today's diagnosis, I'm becoming suspicious that these illnesses are a symptom of something else. I thought the rash may have been an allergic reaction to something I'd eaten, but apparently not.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

How long did it last for? Did the rash leave any scars? I feel sort of fever-ish too.

Justin1972UK said:

it took a while to go away completely - i'd say about 3 weeks or so. if you haven't already, be sure to go and see a doctor.

No medical advice, I'm afraid, but hope you start to feel better soon, Justin. It's horrible being ill, especially just before Christmas.

Try not to worry too much, though - especially without good reason. Otherwise, you'll end up making yourself worse. Just take some time out, look after yourself and try to relax. There's no point working yourself up over things that haven't happened yet.

Take care.

try to get plenty of rest i hope you get better soon

IrresistibleB1tch said:

Yeah, I've got a prescription for some anti-viral pills. It's a really high dosage: 800mg five times a day.

onenitealone said:

Sometimes there's too much information on the internet... I've scared myself silly thinking that my (evidently shoddy) immune system could be a sign of something worse. I've calmed down a bit now. Thinking about it sensibly, two major viral infections in one year is hardly an all-out attack and I've recovered from sore-throats and colds without needing antibiotics, in the past year.

Raine said:

Thanks, Muffin.

It's just an awful end to an awful year - but at least it's a rest from work.

Justin1972UK said:

Of course! And it's that time of year - you may have been overdoing things a little, not getting enough rest... it could be all kinds of things that have brought this on.

The key thing is to get better and look after yourself. Worrying about it certainly won't help. But, y'know, I understand your concern.

Take care!

a few yrs ago ... i had an outbreak of shingles on my neck

very painful indeed



My medical Dr who is a personal friend ... and my alternate helaing friends

both mentioned that stress can bring an outbreak on .... i was under alot of emotional stess in that period of my life

i treated it with essential oils and it cleared up in a week and left no scaring

Justin1972UK said:

If I get what you're trying to say, my one suggestion is to see a doctor about the shingles and also get tested. No harm in that.

VoicesCarry said:

I heard that too.

Stress can do horrible things to your body, though, Justin. Don't worry...just take good, good care of yourself and you'll come through this fine

isn't that the same virus that causes herpes?

I had shingles in October and it sucked. And they gave me Valtrex for it and I knew the girl at the pharmacy from high school and I wanted to scream "I DON'T HAVE FUCKIN HERPES!!!" and she'd be like "riiiight..."

That medicine made me dizzy as hell at shows, but it was over in about a week and a half. No scars, nothin. So take heart. You'll be alright.

Thanks everybody. It's nice to know that it is quite common amongst younger people. All the websites I read up on this morning seemed to suggest that if you developed the condition under the age of 60, it may be a symptom of a bigger underlying illness.

And yes - the virus which causes chicken pox and shingles is the herpes virus. I s'pose it's kind of funny getting herpes for Christmas. Well, I mean it would be funny if it didn't hurt so much.

I photocopied my prescription in lieu of a sick-note as I went to the Accident and Emergency ward of the nearest hospital and they don't dish out declarations of illness for your employer. I gave the photocopy to my boss at work as evidence of my illness and it had "HERPES ZOSTER" scrawled on it. I was a bit embarrassed but once my boss saw the blistered skin on my neck and scalp, I think they got the picture.

I've got towels all over my pillows on my bed, which feel like sandpaper but I'm waiting for the blisters to pop. It's so disgusting. Apparently, as soon as they pop, dry up and scab over, I can leave the flat. It's like something out of the dark-ages.

I'll read up on treating the lesions with essential oils.

The most importaint thing you need to do is to desolve the stress.

Stress is an illusion we create in out own minds. We can truly be our worst enemy.

MickG said:

I agree. Have a wank to the Cocteau Twins, Justin.

Number23 said:

Um... I'm staying away from my pee-pee area as much as I can, until the blisters have gone. I mean, cross-infection and all that. I haven't scratched the rash all day though and I'm dying to. Everytime I get an itch, I slap more antiseptic cream on.

I hope you'll be better soon. 's from me. for you.


There seems to be so many people
thinking nice thoughts about you
and wishing you a quick, easy recovery
and I'm one of them too.

from the site "get well soon" poems