Still Unhappy Camper, but Better

[archangle]

My doctor said he thinks that those who do get shingles after getting the shot tend to get much less severe cases.

[kteague]

All this talk about shingles reminded me to check into getting the vaccine. Was told it is not covered by Medicare and is over $200. Oh well, I had good intentions. Keep us informed Maddie of how this all progresses.

[mgaggie]

Maddie I hope you are getting some relief today.

My mum had shingles last year on her upper back. Every time I visited I would have to scratch her back in places where she couldn't reach, quite often I find that she had gouged bits of her back because it was so itchy. It was actually a couple of months before she started getting what I called pocks. They reminded me of chicken pox marks. Unfortunately it took a long time for the pain to settle down and the ointment she needed was expensive.

Btw, you have every right to have a bit of a whine. Its not healthy bottling it up, and you need to be able to 'let it all out' to people who understand/empathise with the plethora problems that plague us humans.

[Madalot]

I am FINALLY starting to get relief. My back still hurts and I have to be careful about how I move, but it's better. I still have that shingles-type stinging/burning, but it's much less intense and tolerable. I think the increased gabapentin is helping a lot with that.

Assuming this trend continues (and I'm sure it will) I will investigate some physical therapy if the vertebrae/muscle issue is still bothering me next week.

Aside from being a little extra tired, I'm doing a lot better.

Thanks again for all the help and kindness.

[DoriC]

That's great news! Hope it gets better every day!

[Sir NoddinOff]

I've had more than a few bouts with shingles after I turned sixty and luckily haven't had a really severe case yet. Still, it comes and goes whether I get the vaccine or not. My GP says that it really reduces the intensity of shingles but how would I know if that's the case? Still, I count myself lucky that my flare-ups are not disabling in the least. Thought for the day: How come I can barely get my vegetables to survive in my garden over the summer, but shingles lives on in my body for five decades totally unperturbed.

[chunkyfrog]

Hubby got shingles after having the vaccine. Twice.
They say there is a chance that prevention is not always 100%
On the chance that this expensive vaccine has been improperly stored, diluted, or counterfeited;
have valacyclovir handy to treat an outbreak as quickly as possible.

[Madalot]

My husband told me last night that our doctor gave HIM the shingles vaccine last year (I swear I do NOT remember him telling me). I am curious why he would give my husband one and not me. Our next checkup is February and assuming I don't need medical care before then, will ask the new doctor at that point.

Feeling better has a nasty side effect - I tend to overdo and set myself back, which is exactly what happened the last few days. With my husband's help, I fixed dinner two nights in a row and spent a couple hours yesterday organizing my K-cup storage drawers (lots of reaching). I realized last night when I got out of my recliner to go to the bedroom that I was hurting a lot worse, but realized it was from overdoing it.

But even set back, I am way better than I was so I am NOT complaining. My back muscles are still very tight and sore, but the shingles type pain is minimal, so I will take it.

[Hawthorne]

Good to hear that things are better.

I am guilty of overdoing when I am feeling good and my RA sure lets me know!

Continued good things!