A New Snag in My New "Normal" - SHINGLES!
I was wondering how many people get shingles while going thru cancer treatments. Is this more "normal" than we know? I know it can be brought on by stress and other things. I heard this may last weeks or months, so hopefully, it will just be for a short duration. I'm truly tired of being sick and know you all understand what I'm saying. Not complaining, just venting here only. This too shall pass. SIGH! (Sounds like I'm feeling sorry for myself, doesn't it?)
Comments
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Shingles?
Girl you have your hands full now. Keep taking your meds, don't miss one. I am on meds right now for my second outbreak in a month. First out break on right side, couldn't get to doc's office quick enough so missed the witching days of 10. Second out break on left side of neck and now on meds. If I new what was the cause besides stress I would do away with it. I haven't had shingles since 2001. I guess I can say I am fortunate my out breaks only itch. I feel you pain, and no, you have the right to feel sorry for yourself some times. This too shall pass. Hang in there.
Scotch Freckles0 -
Hi Sunrae, nice to see you
Hi Sunrae, nice to see you posting here again. I've never had the shingles but you've got my sympathy. Don't need more pain on top of beating cancer. I'm sure someone else will post soon who can be more helpful. Wishing you quick recovery.
~~Connie~~0 -
Shingles--catch it early if possible
Shingles are very common if your immune system is weakened by medications or disease. They can also be associated with fractures. I had them after I broke ribs--before I knew it was bone mets.
I had a weird sensation in my left thigh. It felt chapped, tender, almost like someone had slapped it. I told my sister about it--because she is a doc and I was a little worried that it could be shingles. She made me call my primary stat and get a prescription for valtrex. I started it even though I still wasn't convinced it was shingles.
Of course, sis knew best as, the next day, the rash broke out. Luckily, because I started the valtrex so quickly, I had a very mild case--never got much worse.
Catching it early is key! If you suspect shingles, call your doc!
"The medications should be started within 24 hours of feeling pain or burning, and preferably before the blisters appear."
Shingles0 -
shinglesCypressCynthia said:Shingles--catch it early if possible
Shingles are very common if your immune system is weakened by medications or disease. They can also be associated with fractures. I had them after I broke ribs--before I knew it was bone mets.
I had a weird sensation in my left thigh. It felt chapped, tender, almost like someone had slapped it. I told my sister about it--because she is a doc and I was a little worried that it could be shingles. She made me call my primary stat and get a prescription for valtrex. I started it even though I still wasn't convinced it was shingles.
Of course, sis knew best as, the next day, the rash broke out. Luckily, because I started the valtrex so quickly, I had a very mild case--never got much worse.
Catching it early is key! If you suspect shingles, call your doc!
"The medications should be started within 24 hours of feeling pain or burning, and preferably before the blisters appear."
Shingles
Hi all
I had them while I was going through chemo, it was also right after the doctor
told me my white cell count was very very low. Ended up in the er for that, but
saw the doctor a few days later and had the rash by then, ended up taking meds.
and staying out of work for a week. Still have a little twinge every now and then
and its been two years...
Feel better
Angie0 -
Yup! Shingles are common with chemoCypressCynthia said:Shingles--catch it early if possible
Shingles are very common if your immune system is weakened by medications or disease. They can also be associated with fractures. I had them after I broke ribs--before I knew it was bone mets.
I had a weird sensation in my left thigh. It felt chapped, tender, almost like someone had slapped it. I told my sister about it--because she is a doc and I was a little worried that it could be shingles. She made me call my primary stat and get a prescription for valtrex. I started it even though I still wasn't convinced it was shingles.
Of course, sis knew best as, the next day, the rash broke out. Luckily, because I started the valtrex so quickly, I had a very mild case--never got much worse.
Catching it early is key! If you suspect shingles, call your doc!
"The medications should be started within 24 hours of feeling pain or burning, and preferably before the blisters appear."
Shingles
After my third chemo treatment, I had the same sensation you described on my back, right at my waistline. I felt it (couldn't actually see the area), and it felt like some kind of bite. My husband looked, and said it looked like I had been bitten several times by a spider or something. Long story short, I went to the doctor the next day, he diagnosed shingles, and said it was because my immune system was so badly affected by the chemo, and because I had chicken pox during childhood, and had evidently been exposed to them again. Guess we are not only having to wash our hands, don't let visitors in who have colds, but now we have to watch out when we are out and about for little children....they can be carrying the virus, and not even actually having chickenpox. Guess we need to lock ourselves in a box, and only come out when no one is around. LOL. So sorry you are having these problems, Sunrae, but yes, it is common with chemo patients. Hopefully they will heal quickly, and you won't have too much pain. Mine were at the waistline, so I wore loose fitting dresses for a while. (Also, they left scaring, so please be careful not to scratch too much.) Let us know how you heal. Hugs, Judy0 -
I had shingles, too.creampuff91344 said:Yup! Shingles are common with chemo
After my third chemo treatment, I had the same sensation you described on my back, right at my waistline. I felt it (couldn't actually see the area), and it felt like some kind of bite. My husband looked, and said it looked like I had been bitten several times by a spider or something. Long story short, I went to the doctor the next day, he diagnosed shingles, and said it was because my immune system was so badly affected by the chemo, and because I had chicken pox during childhood, and had evidently been exposed to them again. Guess we are not only having to wash our hands, don't let visitors in who have colds, but now we have to watch out when we are out and about for little children....they can be carrying the virus, and not even actually having chickenpox. Guess we need to lock ourselves in a box, and only come out when no one is around. LOL. So sorry you are having these problems, Sunrae, but yes, it is common with chemo patients. Hopefully they will heal quickly, and you won't have too much pain. Mine were at the waistline, so I wore loose fitting dresses for a while. (Also, they left scaring, so please be careful not to scratch too much.) Let us know how you heal. Hugs, Judy
I had shingles several months before my diagnosis. Then I read how many people who have shingles are then diagnosed with cancer. I said that to one of my male friends who said that 6 months prior to his diagnosis of prostrate cancer he had shingles. When our immune systems are not working properly either because of stress or cancer treatments, etc. it seems that shingles are a side effect.
Roseann0 -
ouch!
Oh my gosh - I know firsthand how painful shingles can be - I had an outbreak of them (first one) while I was pregnant! Luckily, I did not have an outbreak during my chemo treatments. In fact, I was really healthy, didn't even get a cold. So now almost a month out of chemo, and I'm coming down with a cold
Thank goodness it's not on your rads side!
Hopefully you will get some relief soon, I'm so sorry you have to deal with shingles now on top of everything else.
*gentle hugs*
Heather0 -
My husband had shingles inHeatherbelle said:ouch!
Oh my gosh - I know firsthand how painful shingles can be - I had an outbreak of them (first one) while I was pregnant! Luckily, I did not have an outbreak during my chemo treatments. In fact, I was really healthy, didn't even get a cold. So now almost a month out of chemo, and I'm coming down with a cold
Thank goodness it's not on your rads side!
Hopefully you will get some relief soon, I'm so sorry you have to deal with shingles now on top of everything else.
*gentle hugs*
Heather
My husband had shingles in college and never got them again (knock on wood he rarely gets sick though). My aunt got them last year on her forehead and in her eye, she is still trying to taper steroids with little success. She wasa bit ticked that she did not know about the shingles vaccine. I think it is offered to people at age 60. Sunrae, I hope you get a mild case, you sure have had your share and you handle it with grace every time. Enough is enough though!!!!0 -
I have never had shingles,crselby said:Hi Sunrae, nice to see you
Hi Sunrae, nice to see you posting here again. I've never had the shingles but you've got my sympathy. Don't need more pain on top of beating cancer. I'm sure someone else will post soon who can be more helpful. Wishing you quick recovery.
~~Connie~~
I have never had shingles, but, I have a girlfriend that has several times. Hers are caused by nerves. Not sure if that is why yours might be? Good luck!0 -
Shingles
Hi,
I had them twice and hope to never have them again. They are caused by the same virus that causes Chicken Pox and if you had that disease you can have shingles.
I was 25 yrs old with the first bout and very healthy. I had the 2nd one 20 years later, before breast cancer.
If you are having chemotherapy and have a weaken immune system, you need to be careful.
There is a vaccine for older people for this condition. Before being diagnose with fibromyalgia, my internist told me I had shingles. I knew shingles and stated it was not shingles. It's a pain you don't forget.
The worst case I ever saw was a friend who had it in the eye. He had to retire, it took a long, long time for the pain to go away.
May the meds keep your time short!
SIROD0 -
Never had them,(knock on
Never had them,(knock on wood)but I know people who have and they say it's very painful. I've heard an ointment or salve made with thyme used externally helps. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Must be hard dealing with that as well as everything else.
hugs
jan0 -
So sorry Sunrae. I knowHeatherbelle said:ouch!
Oh my gosh - I know firsthand how painful shingles can be - I had an outbreak of them (first one) while I was pregnant! Luckily, I did not have an outbreak during my chemo treatments. In fact, I was really healthy, didn't even get a cold. So now almost a month out of chemo, and I'm coming down with a cold
Thank goodness it's not on your rads side!
Hopefully you will get some relief soon, I'm so sorry you have to deal with shingles now on top of everything else.
*gentle hugs*
Heather
So sorry Sunrae. I know that they can be extremely painful. Hoping you get some relief very soon.
Hugs, Debby0 -
Sunraephoenixrising said:Never had them,(knock on
Never had them,(knock on wood)but I know people who have and they say it's very painful. I've heard an ointment or salve made with thyme used externally helps. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Must be hard dealing with that as well as everything else.
hugs
jan
Sunrae,
I am very sorry.
Wishing you successful treatment and speedy recovery.
New Flower0 -
Shingles
I got shingles in between my first and second chemo treatments. I got them on the left side of my face between my eye and my temple. I got meds to treat them then. However, I then had to deal with migraine-type headaches between my second and third chemo treatments caused once again by the Shingles. I now have to take an extra drug for the headaches. Since starting this drug I have thankfully not had any more head aches (Yeah!) but you can still see the Shingles between my eye and temple!0 -
I've finished one of thesbmly53 said:I am so sorry -
while I never had them, I do know how painful they can be. And, I know you - you never feel sorry for yourself. You are a very good role model, a ray of sunshine.
Sue
I've finished one of the meds which I had to take for a week, its supposed to shorten the duration, but I'm not sure about that. I've cut the pain meds in half as I don't want to become addicted to oxycontin, and I'm also backing out of one of the meds which treat the nerve roots, which cause the pain. The one med makes me so sick and drowsy and I'm anxious to finish it up. I still have lots of blisters but some are starting to fade. I was sorry to hear you can get shingles more than once. I had chickenpox when I was young. A couple of years ago I wanted to get the shingles vacine but my primary didn't want me to as he didn't approve of it yet. I wonder if I would have got the shingles if I had got the vacine. He said you still get shingles only a lighter case. Has anyone had the vacine and still got the shingles?0 -
Judy, just FYI, shingles iscreampuff91344 said:Yup! Shingles are common with chemo
After my third chemo treatment, I had the same sensation you described on my back, right at my waistline. I felt it (couldn't actually see the area), and it felt like some kind of bite. My husband looked, and said it looked like I had been bitten several times by a spider or something. Long story short, I went to the doctor the next day, he diagnosed shingles, and said it was because my immune system was so badly affected by the chemo, and because I had chicken pox during childhood, and had evidently been exposed to them again. Guess we are not only having to wash our hands, don't let visitors in who have colds, but now we have to watch out when we are out and about for little children....they can be carrying the virus, and not even actually having chickenpox. Guess we need to lock ourselves in a box, and only come out when no one is around. LOL. So sorry you are having these problems, Sunrae, but yes, it is common with chemo patients. Hopefully they will heal quickly, and you won't have too much pain. Mine were at the waistline, so I wore loose fitting dresses for a while. (Also, they left scaring, so please be careful not to scratch too much.) Let us know how you heal. Hugs, Judy
Judy, just FYI, shingles is not caused from exposure to others.
It is a reactivation of a dormant varicella zoster virus. The reactivation can be caused by stress, cancer, immune deficiency, etc. It is also more common after the age of 60 as your original chickenpox antibodies "wear out."
"Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It may not cause problems for many years. As you get older, the virus may reappear as shingles. Unlike chickenpox, you can't catch shingles from someone who has it."
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/shingles.html0 -
I am praying this passesroseann4 said:I had shingles, too.
I had shingles several months before my diagnosis. Then I read how many people who have shingles are then diagnosed with cancer. I said that to one of my male friends who said that 6 months prior to his diagnosis of prostrate cancer he had shingles. When our immune systems are not working properly either because of stress or cancer treatments, etc. it seems that shingles are a side effect.
Roseann
I am praying this passes quickly for you Sunrae and I am so sorry.
Lex0 -
sorry to hear...I have heard how painful
MY Mom had shingles several times over the years. (know the pain from watching her) LIKE you said good thing not on side with radiation. OK to vent...vent away!!!!!!!!!!!!
so to answer your question I have never had shingles-I hope it clears up soon!0 -
I hope you can get rid ofHeatherbelle said:ouch!
Oh my gosh - I know firsthand how painful shingles can be - I had an outbreak of them (first one) while I was pregnant! Luckily, I did not have an outbreak during my chemo treatments. In fact, I was really healthy, didn't even get a cold. So now almost a month out of chemo, and I'm coming down with a cold
Thank goodness it's not on your rads side!
Hopefully you will get some relief soon, I'm so sorry you have to deal with shingles now on top of everything else.
*gentle hugs*
Heather
I hope you can get rid of the shingles soon Sunrae. I have also heard how painful they are.
Hugs, Debby0
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