I have "shingles" for the new year.

The ointment Zostrix or any capsaicin containing cream is what they used to use topically, based on the theory of counter irritation.

Capsaicin, I had friends that wanted to dig their eyeballs out and would have paid someone to kill them. Mild, maybe, medium, stretching it, but the severe people, I would not recommend it since shingles really affects nerves and in one case I knew a person who couldn't breathe and was having trouble with thinking. So severe, I would not try capsaicin, esp if the nerve(s) involved included lungs, eyes, brain. Mine is tolerable right now. I will keep it in mind if it only gets a little bit worse. I've heard rose geranium helps severe people if you can actually find the real stuff.I'll have to research that more.

I'm trying and so far, it's tolerable. Let's hope it stays that way. Thanks and take care.

Mine looked like bug bites at first,too. So I thought the Nurse Practioner might be wrong. But the more I learn, the more I think she's correct. I can't stand it when doctors don't even look at you. I hope you called back and gave him or her a piece for your mind. My Mom never got shingles that I know of and she fought cancer 6 times in 20 years. So this was news to me.

The only way you can get shingles is if you have had chicken pox before. It stays in your your system until something triggers the shingles and then it moves along the right side of your body along the nerve path's to the nerve endings. That is why it can be very painful. No I never did call them back. I was in so much pain, I just wanted it to go away. Mine also lasted at least 8 weeks. But, I had pain and numbness for several months after. Shingles can also trigger other things, such as my skin became very sensitive to the touch. Which made my Restless leg syndrome worse. But, after all these years it seems to be settling down, and my skin is not quite as sensitive. Shingles can also cause permanent damage and can reoccur again. Good luck to you.

Sounds like I need the good luck. Reminds me, I'd better take my meds right now.

Eating well is kind of an open ended statement. Include things like garlic, horseradish, ginger and spices like oregano and turmeric. Eat lots of antioxidants. Vitamin D is critical. The recommended 400 units is barely a maintenance amount for a healthy person. You need upwards of 2000 units a day and unless you live in the tropics or eat wild caught salmon or trout every day of your life, you're not getting it. Right now I'm taking 50,000 units a week. Echinacea and elderberry are great immune boosters (but not recognized in the "traditional" medical world, of course). You can take them in tea or capsules. They work by building up the amount of scavenger cells in your blood. State of mind is important, too. Studies have shown that happy people get sick less often. The book of wise King Solomon also says that "a merry heart does good, like medicine."

when I had a sore throat, I was taking echinacea and came to the conclusion that I'm allergic to it. I got worse until I switched to eucaliptis. I eat garlic, horseradish and ginger all the time. Oregano is in my diet quite often. Don't use tumeric unless eating India Indian food. I like sweet hot, not hot hot, but will do cayenne for my sinuses.Also when your mouth and throat are already sore..... I will research how much vit D since that seems like 5 times the recommended and I think that's a lot.I'm extremely white, so I doubt my ancestors had more vit D than they could get in their diet. I drink lots of vit D milk and other fortified with vit D items. I'm going to start a multivitamin. I eat tons of fruit so I think the antioxidants are covered. Right now, the only bad levels I have are for iron. 10.7 instead of 11.7. Calcium, magnesium, everything else is fine. So I'm upping my greens and red meat.

What do you suggest I do to build it back up? Eat well and exercise, esp. T'ai Chi was what I've been doing.

The medical treatments you had weakened your immune system for now. The client I had who got it on her hand was only twenty five. I knew a physical therapist in the schools who had to quit working in the schools because she got it every time chickenpox went around. Not sure why.

Mine is near my right arm pit. I used to work with a woman who had full blown shingles very badly a few years ago and I didn't get it then. I'm always working with kids who have chicken pox. Thought I'd get it when I was older, not now. OH well. So far, it's tolerable and that's what's important I guess.

She should have her white blood cell count checked and her spine. I've heard that people with low white blood cell counts often get it. There is a shot for shingles not that works to keep it a way from most people. Never heard of anyone in her 20s having it. 50s and working in a correctional facity where lots of inmates statt meds, but don't keep taking them, esp. on the streets and create superTB, super hepititus, super everything. Thanks and take care.

That makes sense, vit B helps with nerves. Thanks and take care.

I'm glad something makes sense in my world. hehe

I think you are correct about the chicken pox shot. At least I've heard it to be so. I figure all this year can do is get better, at least I hope so. I think if you read above, there is also a shot for shingles. Take care.

They prefer high risk professions or over 60s in years, here. May be different where you are.

I saw the reference to that. It is the first I have heard of a shingles vaccination but why not? If they are going to vaccinate against chicken pox, they should be able to vaccinate against shingles. I wonder if there are a certain criteria for the shot...age, exposure, etc. Hmm...interesting.

That's what I'm thinking! It can only go up from here.

I hope so, too. Thanks and take care.

So far I'm tolerating it well. I hope it stays mild, too. Thanks for your positive wishes, I'm sure they'll help. Take care.