PSA. I'm home from the doc for my back pain. If you are suffering with pain of unknown cause this info may help you.

[highplainsdem]

91. LC, I'm glad your doctor gave you a diagnosis.

Vitamin C and lysine can also prevent and help get rid of shingles. It worked for my mother when she got shingles years ago, before there was any vaccine.

She had blisters across the back of her neck. Couldn't stand to have even strands of hair touching the blisters. The pain was agonizing.

Her GP diagnosed it as shingles and gave her a prescription for it, but told her the prescription might not work. It was fairly expensive for something he didn't have much confidence in, so she didn't bother getting it.

It was already known by then that lysine was effective against the herpes virus that causes cold sores.

Shingles is also caused by a herpes virus.

She took megadoses of lysine and vitamin C. Most of the pain from the blisters was gone by the next day. The blisters themselves were almost gone within a week. When she saw her doctor again, probably to have her INR checked because she was on a blood thinner for a-fib, she told him what she'd done, showed him the improvement in the blisters. He'd been positive the week before that she had shingles, but seeing the quick improvement, he wondered aloud if it had been a misdiagnosis. Even though it was common knowledge then that lysine helped against another herpes virus.

Btw, as for conditions that can make it more likely for either cold sores or shingles to appear - those include getting too much arginine in your diet. Arginine is an amino acid that counteracts the amino acid lysine.

The most commonly eaten.foods that are high in arginine are nuts and seeds. If you were binging on sunflower seeds, peanuts, etc., that makes it more likely you'll get a cold sore or shingles. (And I mean really binging, not having just a handful of those seed foods.) I found out years ago that binging on nuts and seeds can result in a cold sore for me. Haven't ever had shingles, though I had chicken pox as a child, so I have that herpes virus. I do take lysine regularly.

I hadn't known that shingles can cause pain even if blisters haven't appeared. That's important information, and I'm glad you posted it.

I just saw the same info on a website set up be dermatologists:

https://www.dermatologyaffiliates.com/blog/shingles-treatment-options-what-works-best

Another early indicator of shingles is skin sensitivity or pain that precedes the rash by several days, often mistaken for other conditions like a muscle ache or kidney infection. It's essential to recognize that these sensations are the varicella zoster virus reactivating within the body's nervous system.

That same page recommends lysine for shingles:

In my practice, I've observed that a well-balanced diet plays a pivotal role in bolstering the immune system, which is essential for patients battling shingles. Incorporating foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants can aid in the body's defense against the Varicella-Zoster Virus, especially for those with autoimmune conditions like lupus or skin sensitivities such as contact dermatitis. I advise patients to focus on nutrient-dense foods that support immune health, which can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing shingles in the neck area, where discomfort can be pronounced.

Moreover, I recommend that patients with shingles increase their intake of foods high in lysine, an amino acid that has been shown to help manage viral conditions. This is especially important for individuals with immune-compromising conditions like uveitis or a history of measles, as their systems may require additional support to combat the shingles virus effectively. By ensuring a diet that supports immune function, patients can create a stronger foundation for their overall shingles treatment plan, potentially reducing the severity and duration of their symptoms.