This started with a pain on my right side on a Monday afternoon/evening which I assumed would go away overnight – as many things do. It didn’t. So I gave it another night then phoned the doctors on the Wednesday and they phoned back. After discussing it they said come in at about 3.30, which I did. A good examination later, there was no firm conclusion, but a possibility of gall stones, so I was to be sent for a scan.
On Thursday a rash/spots appeared, so I phoned the doctor again and after they phoned back I was again called in and shingles were confirmed (and the scan cancelled). I was prescribed some anti-viral tables to take for a week and told to continue with the paracetamol for the pain. Everyone I mentioned it to said I should also take things easy as that should speed up recovery – I hope.
Initially there were shooting pains along the nerves, but that subsided into stabbing pain where the spots were – waist at the front and where the bra strap goes at the back, but only on my right side. This changed into more like a soreness of the skin, most of the time. The skin is also very sensitive and clothing rubs, which is a bit of a pain!
After nearly 4 weeks, it still hurts – but most of the time it is just sore with a few stabbing pains. I also feel really washed out and get tired very quickly. How can I sleep for over an hour in the afternoon and still sleep at night? I am also getting bored, fairly fed up and just want to get better! I have been doing as I was told and taking things easy, too. And I was just starting to get up my fitness at the gym and that has all gone – it will be like starting again. I keep thinking that the spots are fading, but I fear that is wishful thinking…… It is now 4 weeks and I am fed up……
So? Definitely not recommended. I would avoid it at all costs! Not that you can catch it – it just can appear if one has had chickenpox in the past.