shingles? UGH!

[PeteNYNJ]

Hello All

Last night I started to notice a band of sensitive tingly skin from my thigh across to right above my crotch.  It has gotten more intense as the day has gone on.  I don't see any rash developing, but I am quite concerned that this could be the beginning of shingles.  I have a doctor's appointment on Friday morning (for blood work results) and now I am worried that my counts might have dropped, hence the shingles.

I had shingles once before years ago before infection with HIV.  It didn't really hurt but the rash came up mildly and went away.  I thought if you had it once, it was kinda hard to get it again.

Anyone have any advice on what to look for so I can tell my doctor in case he wants me to come in earlier tomorrow?

Thanks

[Matty the Damned]

VALTREX. ASAP.

If you hit during the tingly phase (before the rash comes up) you'll be much happier. It really makes a difference to the duration and severity. Early treatment also reduces the likelihood of developing post herpetic neuralgia.

Shingles can recur with horrible regularity. Be happy it's not on your neck and face,

MtD

[jkinatl2]

I have nothing informative to report, just hoping that you listen to Matty. He knows his shit about this stuff. I have never had shingles, but have many friends who suffered from it, and would not wish it on my worst enemy.

Hope you get the meds you need, and the relief you deserve!

jk

[HARLEY_B]

 When I had it flare up, it was only on the one side and waited for a while before seeing a doctor about it. It hurt like hell. Yeah definately see your doctor about it and start the medication..usualy Valcyclovir or something akin to it for 10 days. It will clear up sooner if you don't wait...and yes, have heard it can recur from time to time.

[roy100]

It can be also just fungus, athlete's foot in your body.
You don't mention your CD s but, if they are less than 350 , you can expect fungus any time , and one of its characteristics is crying skin ( sensible skin).

My Dr told me to consider using fluconazole , as a normal resource, every month , and every two months as the Cd's grow. He calls this treatment pulses.

So far it works, and sign of rash in my mouth , fluconazole, for a weak, and like magic its gone.
Any burning sensation in my feet, or pubis area, fluconazole.

Greetings.

[PeteNYNJ]

Went to doc...Not shingles, looks like bites.  He thinks fleas or bedbugs!!!  YUCK!

I have to go and inspect tonight.  My mattress is brand new so I pray it didnt come with bugs.

[Miss Philicia]

Before others here think Pete's a filthy pig with bed bugs I'll just add that there's been a large-ish outbreak of this in the NYC area in the past few years, but definitely this year I've seen lots about it in the media.  You know Pete, even something simple as going to a movie theater can bring them home, all it takes is for someone else to have them hitching a ride.

Supposedly they've come down this way too but I haven't read that many articles about it to the degree I have in the NYC area, but it's not like we're very far away.  How many bites do you have on your body?

[smiteler]

what really skeeves you about bedbugs is
you can have them and never know it!
the bites are only noticed by people who have a reaction to them.
luckly that is the majority of people
but for some....

[PeteNYNJ]

I would say about 10...I have a follow up with a dermatologist to determine what it exactly is because I seem to be very allergic to whatever that bite is - they dont itch, they are painful 

[dixieman]

Pete... I've had the shingles 3 times... not fun at all... and usally a bite will itch not hurt? On my first experience with shingles my general practioner... stated he thought it was ant bites... until I stated in a very loud voice... I know what a ant bite looks like... fortunately for me he re-evaluated his diagnosis... it turned out to be shingles... so the dermatologist is the best way to go... best of luck...

[Hoover]

Let's hope it is bed bugs!

I have something the doctors can't determine if it is shingles or not.
Months ago I thought I had what I believed to be a torn a muscle in my thigh while doing lunges. The middle of my thigh would hurt after standing for a few minutes and I would have to sit down for it to recuperate. This was worse in the mornings and better in the afternoons. My partner sent me to the physical therapist who did electrical treatments. After two weeks I felt good and went on vacation. After 15 hours of flying my thigh started to spasm and walking hurt.
Thankfully we were in Amsterdam and I picked up the strongest hash they had to ease the pain, but two days later we went to the emergency room for a shot of demerol. The spasms ended and the leg got better but then I had stinging/numbness in the skin around my knee. There are no signs of rash, only pain if anything touches it.
After two months of that pain around the knee, it is almost gone but still unpleasant at times.
The doctors said it was not HIV related and a 2% chance it was shingles without a rash..... Only med prescribed is the Lyrica in 150mg but take only about 35mg at night due to feeling drunk.

Any thought on that one?

If this is what shingles feels like, getting the vaccination sounds like a great idea.

Hoover