Thought I had a bite

[emilyB]

I've been out in the garden working and thought I had got bitten by something as two nasty looking blotches appeared on my right side.  They multiplied and moved over to my back and wouldn't you know it's a holiday weekend and the doctors are all gone and in our little town there is no urgent care, just the ER.  I can't justify this as an emergency but the pain woke me up so many times in the night and also during the day yesterday.  The rash is getting worse too.  I didn't want to drive into the City to find an urgent care so I was able to talk to the on call Doctor where I go for regular visits and it was determined that I have shingles and there is only a 48-72 hour window when the medication will do any good, so she called in a prescription and I'm waiting to get the call that it's ready.  Bummer!

[sunshine]

Shortly after I got my shingles shot, I got shingles on my lower back! I could not believe it. Hope your pain goes away. I did not go to the doctor for it either...I survived.

[luvtimes]

Shingles???

Got to look that up...

[luvtimes]

They have a shot for that... Going to get one when I return to Ohio. .

[emilyB]

I couldn't believe the long line at Safeway pharmacy today as it was the only one open in town.  I got Valacyclovir and just hope I've caught it in time so it doesn't get any worse.  Bad enough the burning pain on my back.  Oh well, carry on!

[sunshine]

That's what they gave me for it too.

[luvtimes]

Hope that works for you...

[emilyB]

I think it's a tad worse but I've only taken 2 pills so far.  3 a day with food and they are so big I have to cut them with the pill splitter.  I'm not up yet and I had a night of being stabbed with hot needles.  Damn we are supposed to be going away middle of next week!

[takncarabizniz]

Oh no, shingles are the worst!

Just remember emily, this too shall pass, but listen to your docs, take the meds, and ask them exactly what can be done to relieve the pain (compresses, soaks, etc).

Take care.

[sunshine]

They are horse pills!

[emilyB]

Sent hubby to get Calamine lotion from the store today and it's really soothing.  Hopefully I will get in to the doctor's office tomorrow.