My Mom has Shingles !
By Traceyjayne
@Traceyjayne (8839)
United Kingdom
March 3, 2026 11:10am CST
So, I was just about to leave the house this morning to deliver some books a lady had ordered from me , then into a nearby town for a mooch about.
The phone rang.
It was my Mom.
She had come out in a rash….it started last night but was not painful …..by this morning it had spread and was very painful.
She had phoned the Doctor's who didn’t want to know.
I cancelled my meeting and got round to Moms as quickly as I could.
I phoned 111 who agreed it probably was Shingles and sent a report to the Doctors saying Mom needed to talk to someone within the hour and have an appointment today if necessary.
I phoned the Doctors….yes, they had the report. No , there were still no appointments and no one available to talk to her.
I rang 111 back and spoke to a consultant….she found a local pharmacy with a high level ( can’t remember the exact word she used ) pharmacist. She sent a report and told them to expect us within the hour.
The pharmacist was brilliant. Very calm and understanding and took time to listen.
He examined her and confirmed, yes, it is Shingles.
Seems like it was caught in time. She has a weeks worth of tablets ….5 a day …but it will take about 4 weeks for the Shingles to actually go.
I’m so pleased that we took action straightaway.
I don’t like to see her in pain.
So I have had an eventful day !
What have you been doing today ?
7 people like this
8 responses
@Ineeddentures (21625)
•
3 Mar
Omg I want sure what shingles is.
I wish I hadn't read about it now
It's a bit risky for older people to get it.
@Ineeddentures (21625)
•
3 Mar
@Traceyjayne
Me and Yvonne got a leaflet about it
I thought it was something to do with the beach
@Traceyjayne (8839)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar
@Ineeddentures there is shingle on a beach …..but obviously it’s not the same thing.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (114743)
• United States
3 Mar
Oh, shingles, poor lady! Those are said to be terribly painful. I’m not old enough to get the vaccine yet, I don’t think, but when I am, I will go get it. Of course, I had a friend get shingles in her thirties, much younger than you expect people to get them. Sometimes you just can’t help it no matter what.
Be careful!
@Traceyjayne (8839)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar
Yes, she is in a lot of pain, hopefully the tablets will kick in soon. The Pharmacist gave her a sheet of info about Shingles and it mentioned the vaccine on there ….we didn’t know about it.
My Dad had is years ago …..he was in his 40’s ….he was very poorly with it.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (114743)
• United States
3 Mar
@Traceyjayne That’s really disappointing. I’m annoyed with her doctor for never mentioning it. Her doctor should have warned her. Commercials reminding people to get the shingles vaccine are in heavy rotation in the United States.
You’re such a good daughter!
I’ll be praying for your mother.
@DaddyEvil (169818)
• United States
3 Mar
You can help her with the pain. Buy some good aloe vera lotion and smooth that on over the rash. It will cool the rash and ease most of the pain.
I've had shingles three times and used aloe vera each time and it felt so much better! When I turned 50, I got the vaccine for shingles. I didn't ever want to catch that again!
@Traceyjayne (8839)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar
The Pharmacist told her not to put anything on.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (8839)
• United Kingdom
3 Mar
Yes, she is in a lot of pain …..thank you for your good wishes.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (14353)
• Ireland
3 Mar
@traceyjayne Awful affliction is shingles. My wife had it round her eye and didn’t know what it was but a friend told her it was shingles so she went to doctor immediately and got sorted. Hope mum recovers well. Yeah for a good pharmacist.
@LindaOHio (216159)
• United States
4 Mar
I've had shingles. It was horrible. There were no meds available when I had them. I'm so sorry your mum has them. I hope she feels better soon.
I'm getting my hair cut today.
@Traceyjayne (8839)
• United Kingdom
4 Mar
I know you have been waiting for your haircut…..are you keeping the same style ?
The rash has spread a bit more and she’s in a lot of pain…..ive come back round to her house and I’m staying till at least the weekend. She is taking the tablets though …..they are huge !
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (216159)
• United States
5 Mar
@Traceyjayne I remember lying on the couch; and my husband was in the kitchen washing dishes. Every time he made a loud noise, the pain would shoot around my mid-section. I hope your mom starts feeling better soon.
I have naturally curly hair; so when it's cut, it stays in the same style. All I have to do is run a brush through it when it's wet.
@cuttyrish (3047)
• United States
3 Mar
Glad everything worked out. My day’s been low-key compared to yours — I'm just taking a break here in the office, after here in mylot, i will go back to work.
@JudyEv (374040)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Mar
My Mum had shingles in her eyebrows and hair. It's very painful. I'm glad your mother's was caught in time. Vin and I have both been vaccinated against it now.
