Harv, I'm so sorry you are going through this.  My aunt and my daughter have
had bouts in the last couple of years.  My aunt's was shear torture.

To what degree is it contageous?

Anyone that has already had chicken pox already has it hiding in their
nervous system.  Anyone that has been vaccinated for chicken pox is immune,
right?  That should include pretty near everyone nowadays.

For any adult out there who has had chicken pox, there is a vaccine to
prevent shingles outbreaks.  Insurance won't usually pay for it and its
fairly expensive.  But well worth the money according to anyone who has had
shingles.

Its on my to do list for whenever I'm not in the middle of some other
medical fiasco or other.

Jo

Harvey - sorry you're dealing with Shingles. I have it recurring - get
it a minimum of twice a year, and sometimes every 2 months, depending on
how ornery my immune system is being. Very, very painful and
frustrating. In fact i had a dream town nights ago that instead of in my
usual spot on the front of my thigh, I had it on the back of my leg,
covering my butt, and all the way down to my ankle. It was definitely
not a happy dream. I'm feeling a little "bah humbug" this year myself.
Been a rough year. I'll be happy to see 2008 come in.

Hang in there. It will get better. I hope you have pain meds. It's
nearly unbearable at times with no medication (I've been out of pain
medsfor a year due to being in between docs and the last one told me it
was all in my head while looking at the visible damage on the Xrays. As
you often say, "so it goes"

It will get better. Sending you a hug from the wet and rainy grey state
up north.

Aim

(((Harv)))

I'm sorry this flared up at such a lousy time. I hope you're feeling better
soon.

Kelly C.

((((((((((((((((((((Harv)))))))))))))))))))))  I've watched friends who live
nearby go through the shingles and have seen their agony.  Did they diagnose
you fairly quickly and get you on medication?  I understand it pass much
faster if so.

What does your doctor say about contagion and how long you will be at your
worst?  Perhaps your family could delay part of Christmas and do it a week or
two late at your place?  It wouldn't be entirely the same, but would still
give you some of the family joy AND would give you something to look forward
to while you are going through this torture.

My family has had to shift the gift thing around throughout the years due to
various folks working and travel schedules.  W've learned it really doesn't
matter when you do it, the important part is having fun as a family.  

Hang in there, fella, we're sending tons of prayers that this passes quickly!

  I have had shingle 4 times now.  Once the blisters break and dry up>

  Lyrica or Neurontin for the nerve pain.  So maybe by Christmas, the
  blisters will be dried up and you can still have your company or go
  see them.  If you are still not convinced just don't hold the little
  ones.  Harv don't let this ruin your Christmas.  Ask your doctor he
  will tell you the same thing.  My rheumy treated all of my bouts.
  Good Luck and Happy Holidays.  Don't let it ruin them for you.
  Ellie

Harvey, I have suffered from shingles and it is not fun. Once the
blisters dry up you will not be contagious. If they are weeping
the varicella virus can be transmitted to others. The pain is
intense.

However, by Christmas, which is still a bit over a week off, you
may be over the worst of it.

I presume your doctor has you on medication for it. Nerve pain is
awful. I was on something for it that gave me bad headaches that
were worse than the shingles so they took me off it.

I used lashings of Calmoseptine lotion on the areas, applied it
often with a cotton ball and just kept layering it on until it
formed a white covering. I think that helped a bit. The nerve
pain that often persists afterward is hell, and it can persist
for ages.

Wear loose clothing. I don't know where your lesions are, but if
they are around your waist, wear loose jogging pants to lessen
pressure. By the way, that old wives' tale about if shingles meet
around the middle you will die, is NOT TRUE.;

Rest, be waited on, take your medicine and the worst should be
over by Christmas.

If you are feeling better by Christmas and the grand-kids can
come over the best advice I can give you is hand-washing. Wash
your hands well before touching them or their toys. Use a liquid
soap if you have one, or get one, forget the antibacterial soaps,
just a good soap, use warm running water, and wash your hands
well, not forgetting the backs of your hands and between the
fingers. Wet your hands before applying the soap. Wash for one
minute, time it by the clock. Dry them well on a clean towel.

Once the blisters have dried you might want to try one of those
creams with Capsacin in it. Sounds wild, but my doctor
recommended it and it does help decrease the nerve pain, sets up
an irritant effect that blots out the nerve pain. I use it when I
get those post-shingles nerve tingling. I certainly wouldn't put
it on a raw lesion though.

Hang in there, and good luck. You will get through this.

Joan

harv, i'm sorry to hear this! i've never had shingles (yet), but know
many people who have and it seems excrutiating. i hope you're feeling
better by Christmas and can enjoy the holiday.

diane

it must be a joke

DON'T LAUGH! Ive heard that topical steroids help..even the over-the-counter
cortisone stuff  ie. 'Cortaid'. OTOH there is some evidence that this causes
the lesions to spread so YMMV. In any case, wishing you well and very rapid
resolution of this painful condition.

Bud

((((((((((((((((((((harv))))))))))))))))))))  well, if it is a joke, it's
not funny!  sounds like a bummer, guy, and with rotten timing.  hope you
feel better quickly, harv.

kate

sSShingles,,,,  I must of done something really bad to have this and it is
very very painful day and night all the time..   How manyother poor soles
have had this?    It has stopped by Lung doctor appointment,,, a stress test
and
Christmas,,, bahh h umbug.   Yes,, Christmas.  I can not stand the idea of a
grandchild of mine having this much less getting it from me.   They will
have to put the toys together and that is more than have of the fun.  A
little oil here a dab of grease there and works just right.  Now what they
do with them after the leave here is someone elses problem.   I am litterly
broken hearted.  It is my favorite time of the year..... I know, I know, it
is the most stressful time of the year people  are pushed to go deeper and
deeper in debtll.  Let me make a true statement,, Jesus Christ is not the
cause of any of this as we struggle to keep balance in our lives..... This
is mans doing.  How do we get from a babe in asleep in the hay to what we
have today? Honestly,,, the devel never sleeps  and  anyone that can not see
that should open their eyes.
  We have come together in my house 46 out of 49 and that hurts as much as
the shingles but not quite.   I have never had this kind of pain.   Yes, I
am taking the right kind of serscription and rubon's.  Just think what it
must been before modern medicine.  Shudder,, no I don't want to think about
it,, maybe next.   Oh, yes,,, Merry Christmas and if you understand the true
meaning of that it has been a good day.
Harv

Poor Harv, shingles!  I had them years ago on my upper back.  Back then,
they didn't have the meds they must have now, so I think I had to just wait
it out.  You're right, it's hard to describe the pain.  My shingles didn't
look so bad, but the pain and burning went so deep.

Take it easy now.  Kids make Christmas.  And, even though I do know the real
meaning of Christmas, I find myself getting caught up in all the gift
buying.  Time to do some reflection.  Nanny

Have been praying for you since you wrote this Harv. I hope each day gets
better for you and that you have a quick recovery.

Harv.

Belatedly I am afraid. Because I have not been here for a few days.
My profound sympathy. I understand shingles can be very painful,
though fortunately I haven't had it.
I did have chickenpox when I was five - when evacuated to the Isle
Wight (of all places) at the beginning of WW2 - and I understand that
if you have had the disease it can come back at as shingles..

Anyway, I wish you better fast and hope you have a reasonable
(hopefully GOOD) Christmas.

Also best wishes to all you other asp addicts who read this.

Peter