This zinger of pain makes me cry out. Any ideas?

Lie on my couch, make yourself comfortable, and I shall diagnose you.

I'm highly trained, ar the school of "GPS behind closed doors".

So, how long have you had this pain?

Right.
Times up.
Thank you.
Next please!

Keep an eye for a small rash/blisters. Shingles is very painful before the rash appears. Unfortunately still very painful once it appears but it can be the cause of yet unidentified sharp stabbing pains .

I was going to say shingles as my daughter had exactly the same symptoms.

Yes, that's what o was thinking, plus the fact that it's just on one side.

I think there is medication you can get for shingles, but it has to be used in the first little while.

I though of Shingles too Grannynannywanny. If you tell your GP you think that's what it might be FGT hopefully you'll get to see someone .

FGT you might mention shingles to your surgery and they should see you speedy quick. It’s a double edged sword with anxiety (as we know) if it is shingles, you have an answer, but it needs early intervention - good luck!

If it is shingles (and that sounds like a distinct possibility), the sooner you have anti-virals the better.

Doesn’t sound like shingles to me as my experience was pain followed the rash. Having said that sorry have no idea. I would wait and see if it settles. These odd pains often come and go and usually settle.

Thanks everyone. Miss A you made me laugh!
Health anxiety is horrible really. My thoughts fly to what ifs. And our family situation doesn’t help. I did think ? Shingles last night, but no rash or blisters (yet).

I’ll keep you updated.
It was just so weird , random and exquisitely painful (for a few seconds). I’ve had half a dozen of these episodes now over the past month, so I ought to mention it to a doctor I think.

I feel better for sharing my symptoms - like discussing amongst friends really rather than bottling it inside.

It can take a while for the blisters to appear.
It sounds like nerve pain to me, so that fits shingles, like an electric shock sort of zing.

I have a friend with heath anxiety, and I know it's awful for her, so you have my sympathy.

GrannyIvy

Doesn’t sound like shingles to me as my experience was pain followed the rash. Having said that sorry have no idea. I would wait and see if it settles. These odd pains often come and go and usually settle.

I've had shingles more than once and the sudden sharp stinging pains preceded the rash.
The pains can go on for a while after the rash disappears but not always.

I think a gp appointment might be called for, so anti viral could be prescribed, because they need to be used promptly to work.

Best get it checked as you have had lots of episodes to put your mind at rest especially as it is exquisitely painful. Try not to worry I know easier said than done. Do hope all will be ok. As we get older we feel more vulnerable and worry more about these things

I can’t go tomorrow as we’re at are at Christie’s from noon till 8pm. For Himself (a scan).

To be honest I was going to enquire soon about the shingles jab! I was 70 in August and got a text saying I’m now eligible. Bugger me if it’s shingles just before I was going for the jab.

Thank you MissA. Sorry your friend has health anxiety too. It’s pretty draining. Mind goes into overdrive to the exclusion of much else.

I will try to get to the surgery on Tuesday (whilst looking out for rash/blisters).

Perhaps it’s a pinched nerve though as I’ve had this on and off (about twice a week) for a month now.

Sorry to be so self absorbed.

Yes you’re right GrannyIvy. And thank you.

You're one of the least self absorbed people, fgt

It couldn't be from your bra, could it, by the way?
A label or something?

The nylon stitching can be painful.

FGT2, all I can say is try and get an appointment with your GP asap.

No I checked that MissA. Not an underwire either.
Kind comments thank you especially when I feel vulnerable.
Bit scared.
Silly really (I hope).

One thing that stops me ‘spiralling’ is that I attend for an extensive appointment for research purposes last month (5 hours of scans - DEXA, heart, neck carotids, brain, lungs) with BioBank as a volunteer and I never heard anything back (good).
I was apprehensive about going and kept putting it off.

That’s me. Scaredy cat.

You're not alone in the scaredy cat department FGT. I'm a big baby when it comes to health. GP recently asked me to get a blood test due to meds I am on. I put it off for weeks and was scared to look at the results on my app. Everything was fine as I'm sure you will be.

Sorry to read this FGT- living with and loving Mt FGT will have heightened any existing anxieties about health , at least, that was my experience
Definitely see a GP asap. If you’re registered as your husband’s carers at your practice, that should ensure they see you as soon as they can
Fingers x
Best for you both at the Christie tomorrow. We are so fortunate to have it

If you suffer from health anxiety FGT it’s understandable you’re going to worry till you get to the bottom of it. But try to take reassurance from your recent research appointment and extensive checks.

Hopefully your GP can reassure you. It does sound like nerve pain although perhaps not the shingles variety as you’ve had it for several weeks and still no rash/blisters. I had something similar 20 odd years ago. Without warning a prickly very sharp jolt of pain in my ribcage. Then seconds later fine again. My GP diagnosed intercostal neuralgia. A painful irritation of the nerve that runs through the rib cage. It took several weeks to settle.

Thank you Iam Nail On Head. Our situation has heightened anything medical for me.

I hope it’s what you had GrannyNW. I could release with such a diagnosis.

I’ve given myself a headache to be honest worrying. I’m going to take some paracetamol.

You are all so nice chipping in with your suggestions. I know I’m a wimp but anything untoward makes me jittery nowadays.

I promise to come back in a couple of days when hopefully I’ve been seen (I hate that 8am scramble to put your case forward for an appointment) and let you all know how I get on.

Why is it dentists are happy to still make appointments 6 months away yet you can’t ring the surgery tomorrow and ask to be seen on Tuesday or Wednesday? “Ring on the day”. Gah!
Who introduced this madness of ‘every day scrambling’? I think it makes things worse to be honest.