SHINGLES!!! after 5 weeks of mastectomy Oh nooooooo!!

SoyFuerte
SoyFuerte Member Posts: 39 Member
Well everything looked sooooo good to be true after my surgery. And it was until the shingles came.... OMG!! they are horrible, I thought it was mosquito bite then it blistered all over left part of my trunk, very painful. Doctor says it's the way my body is reacting to the stress after all ca, surgery and medication..... well more pain, so what next???? Is someone dealing with this???

Comments

  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    Ouch! Sorry to hear about
    Ouch! Sorry to hear about the shingles. I had shingles years ago, no fun. I hope the drugs they prescribe zap the bug straight away. Hang in there.
    Ines
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944

    Ouch! Sorry to hear about
    Ouch! Sorry to hear about the shingles. I had shingles years ago, no fun. I hope the drugs they prescribe zap the bug straight away. Hang in there.
    Ines

    My husband battled shingles.
    My husband battled shingles. He was one of the unfortunate ones who got the break outs on the face. Unfortunately for him it did some damage to his right eye because the main impact point was just on the inside of his eye near his nose. He goes every six months now to an eye doctor to keep an eye on his vision and his virus. I guess once you have it, it can come back. It's funny I am reading this now because in a couple hours the hubby is going to get the shingles vaccine. He's waited over a year for it to come in and today is his appointment.

    Once you break out though, it's too late for the vaccine.

    Happy itching.. (sorry)
    Lorrie
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    Shingles
    Was very concerned about shingles and wanted to be vaccinated, but doctors decided my body could not cope with that since I had a horrible time during chemo, surgery, radiation, etc. etc. Internist would't even do the flu vaccine (I am a senior citizen). However, got one early this year, and am so relieved. Yes, our bodies are weakened and ready for any lurking virus/germs to cause mischief. Husband had shingles years ago, it spread down the arm, got caught too late, there is a short window where it can be treated effectively, and he had to take Neurontin for several months, very painful. What a bummer for you, many hugs.
    M.
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member

    Ouch! Sorry to hear about
    Ouch! Sorry to hear about the shingles. I had shingles years ago, no fun. I hope the drugs they prescribe zap the bug straight away. Hang in there.
    Ines

    So sorry. I've never had
    So sorry. I've never had the shingles, but, I know they are painful. Praying you are better soon.


    Love, Leeza
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    mruczko said:

    Shingles
    Was very concerned about shingles and wanted to be vaccinated, but doctors decided my body could not cope with that since I had a horrible time during chemo, surgery, radiation, etc. etc. Internist would't even do the flu vaccine (I am a senior citizen). However, got one early this year, and am so relieved. Yes, our bodies are weakened and ready for any lurking virus/germs to cause mischief. Husband had shingles years ago, it spread down the arm, got caught too late, there is a short window where it can be treated effectively, and he had to take Neurontin for several months, very painful. What a bummer for you, many hugs.
    M.

    Not me BUT
    my rads buddy got hit with this nasty bugger in week 2 of radiation, and she had to keep going. Not fun is right! She's doing okay now though.

    Sending prayers for speedy healing!
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    skipper54 said:

    Not me BUT
    my rads buddy got hit with this nasty bugger in week 2 of radiation, and she had to keep going. Not fun is right! She's doing okay now though.

    Sending prayers for speedy healing!

    Holy Hannah!!! Shingles
    Holy Hannah!!! Shingles are the worst!!! Hope they can take care of that quickly for you....how uncomfortable!!!!
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Shingles
    Hang in there! I am praying that you have a mild case and are over this soon!

    I had shingles in 2007, 2 years after I fractured ribs (age 54). I was very fortunate in that my sister, a physician, had me call my pcp late Friday afternoon for valtrex with only early symptoms: a weird slapped or chafed sensation in only one thigh. Nothing else. My pcp called in valtrex which I took, just to be on the safe side.

    By Saturday, I had the characteristic rash, but never had terrible pain. Cancer survivors are at higher risk for shingles (especially the postmenopausal amongst us) and, if you are over 60, you should defintely ask your physician about the vaccine.

    Here are the symptoms BEFORE the rash:

    Pain, burning, tickling, tingling, and/or numbness occurs in the area around the affected nerves several days or weeks before a rash appears. The discomfort usually occurs on the chest or back, but it may occur on the belly, head, face, neck, or one arm or leg.
    Flu-like symptoms (usually without a fever), such as chills, stomachache, or diarrhea, may develop just before or along with the start of the rash.
    Swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes may occur.
    http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-symptoms

    It is very important to take valtrex (or similar drug) as soon as possible.
    "If you begin medicines within the first 3 days of seeing the shingles rash , you have a lower chance of having later problems, such as postherpetic neuralgia. Early treatment of shingles is important, because the problems that can arise can be serious and resistant to treatment. For example, 40% to 50% of people with postherpetic neuralgia do not respond to treatment." http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-treatment-overview
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    Shingles
    Hang in there! I am praying that you have a mild case and are over this soon!

    I had shingles in 2007, 2 years after I fractured ribs (age 54). I was very fortunate in that my sister, a physician, had me call my pcp late Friday afternoon for valtrex with only early symptoms: a weird slapped or chafed sensation in only one thigh. Nothing else. My pcp called in valtrex which I took, just to be on the safe side.

    By Saturday, I had the characteristic rash, but never had terrible pain. Cancer survivors are at higher risk for shingles (especially the postmenopausal amongst us) and, if you are over 60, you should defintely ask your physician about the vaccine.

    Here are the symptoms BEFORE the rash:

    Pain, burning, tickling, tingling, and/or numbness occurs in the area around the affected nerves several days or weeks before a rash appears. The discomfort usually occurs on the chest or back, but it may occur on the belly, head, face, neck, or one arm or leg.
    Flu-like symptoms (usually without a fever), such as chills, stomachache, or diarrhea, may develop just before or along with the start of the rash.
    Swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes may occur.
    http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-symptoms

    It is very important to take valtrex (or similar drug) as soon as possible.
    "If you begin medicines within the first 3 days of seeing the shingles rash , you have a lower chance of having later problems, such as postherpetic neuralgia. Early treatment of shingles is important, because the problems that can arise can be serious and resistant to treatment. For example, 40% to 50% of people with postherpetic neuralgia do not respond to treatment." http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-treatment-overview

    C.C. .. Thanks for all the information ...
    Shingles .. Be Gone! If only it was that easy..

    I am so sorry for anyone .. having to deal with shingles, and all the itching, pain, suffering and scarring.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    SueRelays said:

    Holy Hannah!!! Shingles
    Holy Hannah!!! Shingles are the worst!!! Hope they can take care of that quickly for you....how uncomfortable!!!!

    Praying for you to feel
    Praying for you to feel better soon!
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    Im sorry you have to deal
    Im sorry you have to deal with that. I developed shingles when i was pregnant with my youngest daughter. They can give you anti-viral meds that you can start taking, and if you ever start to feel it flare up again, if you take them right away you can ward off another outbreak. They are super painful though :(
    *hugs*
    heather
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    VickiSam said:

    C.C. .. Thanks for all the information ...
    Shingles .. Be Gone! If only it was that easy..

    I am so sorry for anyone .. having to deal with shingles, and all the itching, pain, suffering and scarring.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam

    Yes, thanks Cynthia for the
    Yes, thanks Cynthia for the information. Why do we have to wait until we are 60 for the shingles shot? It seems like we all should get it no matter what age.


    Very sorry you have them and I hope that soon you will feel much better and never have them again.


    Hugs, Megan
  • SoyFuerte
    SoyFuerte Member Posts: 39 Member
    Hanging there...
    Thank you Cynthia for the helpful information... I am learning.
    My doctor told me that once you got shingles the vaccine is not helpful, no vaccine for me just pray that I wont get them later ;( that s$%#@.... I am 52 and I know once you got them they return ouch... anyway, another thing to add to my list hehehe. I am taking valtrex, it works wonderfully, the blisters are already shrinking, also he gave me gabapentin which make me drowsy and percocet for pain. All this combine is helping, but since I have to drive to work I can not take the pain and nerve medication grrrrr, only at night, so the valtrex is doing all the job which is very good. Thank you everyone for the prayers and good wishes, with all this shingles stuff I forgot the other pains ;)) Please take care of yourself and I hope nobody get this nasty thing.... Love,

    Vicki
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member

    Im sorry you have to deal
    Im sorry you have to deal with that. I developed shingles when i was pregnant with my youngest daughter. They can give you anti-viral meds that you can start taking, and if you ever start to feel it flare up again, if you take them right away you can ward off another outbreak. They are super painful though :(
    *hugs*
    heather

    Very sorry to read that you
    Very sorry to read that you have shingles. I've never had them and pray I don't.


    Pray that you will get better really quick!