Shingles.

My DH had it not long ago, calamine was the only thing that helped, he also has a good diet but that doesn't seem to make any difference to the shingle fairy. Hope you're feeling better soon rubylady

Shingles can sometimes be treated with a course of acyclovir tablets so make an appt with your doctor asap. I believe you need to start the course within five days of symptoms appearing.

My mum took acyclovir and it stopped the shingles in its tracks.

Hope you feel better soon!

Yes rubyget to your GP asap. Acyclovir do work but only if you get them quickly. They did the job for me. Don't know why 111 didn't tell you. My DIL told me I must see the doctor immediately.

I told them about the long list of medication I am currently taking. Maybe there is a counterinteraction with one of those. The calamine is bringing relief if I apply it regularly enough.

I just wanted some sympathy as son is back home and not getting any off him. Good job he is only here for Easter! Right, milky coffee with Judge Rinder and then back to bed with my gorgeous cuddly doggie.

Thank you for your lovely support. X

Oh Rubylady how horrible for you. I hope you do manage to stop the horrible thing before it gets any worse. My poor DM had it on her face and I remember how bad it was. I don't think diet or anything like that has anything to do with it. I seem to remember being told it was a latent chickenpox virus (or bacteria). I do hope you feel better soon

I don't think your diet has anything to do with getting shingles, rubylay It is because the chickenpox virus lurking for years in a body cell in some dark corner has been reactivated. Most likely your other health problems made you generally rundown and gave it a chance to start up again. Get straight to the GP for the acyclovir tablets and nip it in the bud. Don't waste any time, you have to do it straight away. They will regard it as an emergency appointment if you tell them about the shingles.

Wash the spots with ACV. Takes the itch away for a bit.

Also, go to your GP and get the acyclovir tablets as soon as you can.

Porridge paste did not help me, but did relieve DH.

You have my sympathy ruby, I had shingles for the second time a couple of years ago and I was so ill. I have now had the vaccination and hope that will put an end to it. I found that no topical treatment worked but the painkillers allowed me to get some sleep.

You could also try Poxclin which is magic for chickenpox.
DH is on a whole raft of medication including immunosuppressants and our GP faxed a prescription for Acyclvir to the left cal Boots in Poole where he was working at the time, when I got shingles about 9 years ago. It only works if taken early enough. Poxclin is much more effective than calomine.

Acyclovir obviously silly iPad.

Good grief -"to the local Boots" was also what I meant.

Feeling rough with it today but then was up til early hours again due to son being home.

Feel like some are on my back but I can't check and he's gone out for the day. Feel a bit used really by him but never mind, concentrate on myself.

I might phone the docs, see what they say but I feel too unwell to go really.

Have you tried ACV to dry the spots? That works for some.

Or porridge compressed on the spots, or in your bath? Could do alone.

ruby I think you should call your cardiologist for advice. Today.

You've only a short 'window of opportunity' to take the antivirals, so you need to contact your Dr asap, really. Maybe they would leave a prescription for you at the chemist?

You say you MIGHT phone the doc. I would say you MUST phone the doc. You have enough problems already. A phone call will get you the acyclovir, which could make all the difference. Stop being a brave martyr (you get no thanks for it!) and get that treatment!

With the greatest of respect rubylady you appear to be Here for sympathy only. So many people have given you the correct advice regarding getting acyclovir as soon as possible and yet you have not done so. Apologies if you have.

A good diet has nothing to do with this and another poster has quite reasonably explained the mechanism. Calamine will make itching worse as the skin edges of the spots lift and start to dry out which is why Poxclin cool mousse is preferable. It is available from boots online.

I hope you feel better soon. Also in the UK you can get the shingles vaccine if you were aged 70 or 78 years old on 1/9/2016. It is not available on the NHS if you are over 80. Contraindicated in steroid use or anyone immunosuppressed.

Doctor contacted, prescription issued. Tried then to contact son who was out to pick it up for me. He text back saying he was out with his mate. He came home and kicked off again saying that I am just like my mother and that I am constantly ill and that he is going back to uni tomorrow.

So, no help there then. The chemist will deliver my tablets tomorrow.

Izabella I did speak to 111 on the first day of getting the spots so I did take medical advice initially. I am on a lot of medication due to awaiting heart surgery and for numerous other conditions too so I really didn't want to take another onboard if it could be treated topically. I had great pain in my back today and coupled with it being very itchy, it became a bit too much. Some posts are done in the heat of the moment and things calm down a while later. And what is wrong with wanting or giving a little sympathy? I've not been on here for months to have a break from people who can be uncaring. It's time that we all hugged each other and cared more, not less in this world.

Thank you to all for your continued support and care, it really does make a difference. Xxx

Izabella I'm 52.

I can sympathise rubylady - I thought they were bites, but then the pain started last night. I should have known as I've had it twice before
It's too late for anti-virals apparently, so the GP prescribed painkillers and I bought calamine cream

It can occur if you are anxious or run down or have a low immune system. The chicken pox virus lingers in nerves at the base of your spine.

I will try to buy some Poxclin tomorrow.

rubylady I am concerned my earlier post may have been misconstrued as unsympathetic. It was not meant to be. Lost in translation perhaps as they say. It was meant to be informative to everyone as well as yourself (hence the general vaccine advice). Perhaps my concern in a possible delay in you getting treatment coloured my choice of words. I am however most relieved you are getting the treatment you need.

If you should ever read my posts in other areas I think you will find I am usually (and hopefully) supportive, helpful and empowering. In some cases, such as your own, I will give a nudge if I think a nudge in the right direction is needed. If I misread the situation I apologise.

Another thing that may help with your back is a gently heated wheat bag if you have one. Certainly worth trying.

I hope the tablets help, Rubylady and you're feeling better v soon.

Another thing that may help with your back is a gently heated wheat bag if you have one.

Someone suggested an ice pack today

I suppose alternate ice and heat?