Shingles

Not about shingles but my GP gave me amytriptiline for two reasons. First to ease my fibromyalgia and secondly as a sleeping aid. It started at 10mg at bedtime, then 20mg still without any benefit for sleep. Then upped to 50mg. Still no benefit for sleep. I am now weaning myself off it rather than take a medication needlessly. Don't see that it has eased my fibromyalgia either.

My friend had shingles 3 years ago and still has pain. I hope you have a better result.

harrigran, I had 10 mg amytriptiline, which did make me sleepy, and definitely shifted the pain. The antidepressant dose can be over 100mg, and I’d hate to try to function on that amount!
As it’s only available on prescription, I’m sure the G.P. will be aware of contraindications.

Amitriptyline is not a pain killer as such and there are quite a few contra-indications for usage.

I’ve had it twice, and found that amytriptiline really shifted the pain when nothing else did.

Oh dear I know exactly how you feel as I’m just 2 weeks into my shingles outbreak. It will get better but please please get the anti virals asap !
Ive had quite a bad rash but luckily just my torso not my face or eyes. A burning pain on my left side was the first sign, I thought I’d just pulled a muscle or something. Rash quickly followed and spread front , side and back but luckily I got the anti virals in the magic 72hour timeframe and as soon as I started these the pain eased. Rash is still there although blisters have dried up now and it’s still painful although not as bad as before. Calamine lotion cream really helps. I’m still really tired but keep going with rest when I can. I don’t know if the pain will gradually ease - I hope so but in the meantime ibuprofen / paracetamol is taking the edge off it.
I really hope you feel better soon and try to get as much rest as you can

I had shingles ten years ago and I never really got over it, health took a nose dive. I tried to get Aciclovir but they faffed until it got past the crucial 72 hours.

Oh thank you ,all of you,will need all the advice and try and see a doctor ! had shingles 35 yes ago didn't know could get it twice?have 'googled' re baby and it says contagious if fluid from blisters is touched?is that right?

I got shingles in mid August. I saw my brilliant GP who diagnosed it on the basis of a swollen eye, one spot near my eye, one on my scalp and two in my throat. I started a course of antiviral tablets immediately, but three nights later, at 4am, I was in hospital hooked up to a drip and awaiting the senior ophthalmic consultant to come and treat my eye. It was so bad a friend said I looked like I'd been in a car crash! The accompanying fatigue was like nothing I'd ever experienced and I'm only just getting back to normal now; my eye has suffered permanent damage. My very strong advice is to rest as much as you possibly can farview - not easy at this time of year, but really necessary I think.

90% ?

The current shingles jab is only 50% effective, so the practice nurse informed me when I had mine. There’s apparently a new one undergoing trials which offers up to 900% protection.

I'd like to have the vaccination, too. You can pay to have it in America. I'd hate to have shingles.

Oh dear,how dreadful for you.
You are aware, of course. that your baby grandchild could contract chickenpox.
My mother has just started to feel better after 4 weeks from a particularly nasty outbreak. Hope yours is less severe.
Calamine lotion really helped.

What a shame!

Get to a doctor quick and get a prescription for anti virals. DH has just had shingles and anti virals and feels so much better.. He had the vaccination last year so it wasn't as bad as it might have been.

During our research we discovered that the anti virals are much more effective if they are started within the first three days.

You could phone 101 ( or is it 111) and see if they can arrange for you to be seen at your local ucc.

My friend had it a couple of years ago and still gets occasional pain so it is worth acting quickly!

I've been trying to get the vaccination privately, as I'm too young to have it on the nhs (I'm not very often too young for anything nowadays!) but there is a shortage.

I hope you feel better soon.

You must have a course of aciclovir tabs asap

Oh, poor you farview Please take it easy and don't try to do too much. Shingles is horrible and can be very debilitating, so look after yourself. I'm sure your DD and family will understand.