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FakeNoose

(39,182 posts)

115. My sister had seriously painful shingles about 9 or 10 years ago

Mon Oct 27, 2025, 05:53 PM

Monday

She didn't go through the awful back pain that you're experiencing, but I remember that she had a pretty awful time of it. It started as a rash in her upper thighs and it moved up into her woo-hoo area.

Sis had no idea what it was, but she thought maybe it was poison ivy. Went to the Emergency Room after a few days of unbearable pain (middle of a hot, humid summer too) and finally they told her it was shingles. Wow it was shocking news because nobody in my family had ever had shingles. We're all baby boomers, grew up in the 50's and 60s, so all my sibs had chicken pox growing up.

The ER doc gave her some topical ointments and pain pills, but that's about all they can do. My sister really suffered for close to 2 weeks and finally it was gone.

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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. [View all] LuckyCharms Monday OP

Yes shingles pain can be very bad. Irish_Dem Monday #1

It's nasty business. LuckyCharms Monday #3

I wonder what your pain level would have been without the vaccine. Irish_Dem Monday #7

Probably much worse, if that's possible! LuckyCharms Monday #14

I agree, hard to imagine worse pain that you are describing. Irish_Dem Monday #15

It makes you wail in agony. Horrible shit. LuckyCharms Monday #16

I once had severe dental pain that bad. Irish_Dem Monday #18

Yikes! : ( electric_blue68 Yesterday #125

I had shingles all over upper front, sides, and back. Dixiegrrrl Yesterday #131

They goodness they found out what is causing your pain, dear LuckyCharms. choie Monday #122

I'm scared shitless of getting samplegirl Yesterday #133

Glad to hear you've finally got a dx that might be helpful. Good for you. Biophilic Monday #2

Thanks, Biophilic. LuckyCharms Monday #6

At least you know what you're dealing with True Dough Monday #4

I'm glad you are here too. LuckyCharms Monday #8

Oh gosh Nittersing Monday #5

Thank you, Nittersing. LuckyCharms Monday #10

At you least you have a diagnosis for the pain 10 Turtle Day Monday #9

Thank you, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that LuckyCharms Monday #12

Thanks for the education! chowder66 Monday #47

Me too Katcat Monday #49

I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm very familiar with the soul-sucking pain shingles causes. catbyte Monday #11

catbyte, I'm so so sorry. LuckyCharms Monday #13

Dang! : ( electric_blue68 Yesterday #126

Well shit, Lucky! Niagara Monday #17

Thanks, Niagara! LuckyCharms Monday #19

You're welcome, Lucky! Niagara Monday #103

Oh you dear heart! So very very sorry you are dealing Ninga Monday #20

Thank you, Ninga! LuckyCharms Monday #22

I had the shingles vaccine Mblaze Monday #21

I'm so sorry you went through that, Mblaze. LuckyCharms Monday #24

I am so glad you have an answer, and now maybe can be treated effectively. niyad Monday #23

Thank you, niyad! LuckyCharms Monday #26

Thank you! Sorry you had to go thru all that suffering first. Yes, shingles is weird and FailureToCommunicate Monday #25

Wow. I'm glad it worked out for your brother! LuckyCharms Monday #29

No, no visible sores, systemic. And they said if he hadn't been treated right away FailureToCommunicate Monday #76

I ask because I just had a sudden retinal bleed... LuckyCharms Monday #78

Oh dear. Well, hang in there. FailureToCommunicate Monday #104

I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. Thank you for your generosity in sharing that info. nt AnotherMother4Peace Monday #27

Thank you LuckyCharms Monday #31

My Father in law got a bad case years ago... MiHale Monday #28

Thanks, MiHale! LuckyCharms Monday #34

So awful that you are going through this people Monday #38

I've been procrastinating my shingles vaccination. No more! Calling to schedule it today! Ziggysmom Monday #30

Thank you. I dread to think how bad this would be... LuckyCharms Monday #35

Re - Shingles pain drmeow Monday #32

The thing is... LuckyCharms Monday #36

I've had that happen Farmer-Rick Yesterday #140

Did Dr tell you the contagion doesn't spread shingles dweller Monday #33

Thanks, Dweller... LuckyCharms Monday #39

Three cheers for your NP who determined what is causing your pain. greatauntoftriplets Monday #37

Thanks greatauntoftriplets LuckyCharms Monday #40

That's a long time to spend with a patient. greatauntoftriplets Monday #43

I'd rather see a NP than a MD. Actually almost any nurse (PA, RN, etc.) are more personal erronis Monday #54

Thanks, erronis... LuckyCharms Monday #72

"Sure, they can't all give diagnoses and prescribe all the drugs... 3catwoman3 Monday #111

Didn't mean to spread misinformation. I thought many specialties had to use MDs. erronis Monday #112

Depends on specialty and what we've learned/been taught to do. 3catwoman3 Monday #116

"No clavicles" - wow. Sometimes it is just astute observation and common sense. erronis Monday #118

It's good news that at least you understand what's going on. NNadir Monday #41

Thanks a lot, NNadir LuckyCharms Monday #44

I've been thinking about you ReRe Monday #42

Thank you, ReRe! LuckyCharms Monday #45

If you've already had Shingles, can you get it again? CTyankee Monday #46

I got my shots too... LuckyCharms Monday #50

How do you get Shingles? I used to know this but my memory fails me here... CTyankee Monday #52

It's a virus... LuckyCharms Monday #82

all us geezers already have the virus in us Skittles Monday #120

If you've ever had chicken pox, you can get shingles later in life. LudwigPastorius Monday #94

Thanks. Yes I did have chicken pox as a kid (before we had a vaccine). I'm old. CTyankee Monday #98

Thank you LuckyCharms for the PSA! Faux pas Monday #48

Thanks a lot, Faux pas! LuckyCharms Monday #51

I feel for ya Lucky. darkstar Monday #53

Holy shit...I'm so so sorry. LuckyCharms Monday #57

Felt it in my bladder too. darkstar Monday #63

Damn! LuckyCharms Monday #66

Glad you finally have a diagnosis rurallib Monday #55

Thanks, rurallib! LuckyCharms Monday #61

a stress reaction? progressoid Monday #56

Haha! LuckyCharms Monday #59

Please keep us updated on how your treatment is going The Blue Flower Monday #58

Thanks, yes I will do that... LuckyCharms Monday #62

oh that sucks. barbtries Monday #60

Thanks a lot, barbtries. LuckyCharms Monday #64

I'm so glad they finally figured it out! CaptainTruth Monday #65

I had no idea either! LuckyCharms Monday #68

at least you have a cause for your pain now samnsara Monday #67

Thank you, samnsara... LuckyCharms Monday #69

One More Idea IroningBored Monday #70

Thanks so much for the good info! LuckyCharms Monday #73

Here's something for you to keep in mind. There's something even worse than shingles, although it sounds Vinca Monday #71

Vinca...I'm so sorry you went through that. LuckyCharms Monday #75

When the rash heals the pain can remain. Having them in your crotch area is unpleasant. twodogsbarking Monday #74

So sorry you went through that... LuckyCharms Monday #77

I doubt the intense pain will last long. Nerve pain from surgery isn't quite the same but shingles hits the nerves hard. twodogsbarking Monday #80

Wow. I am so glad you finally got a diagnosis. I would never have even thought about LoisB Monday #79

Thank you, LoisB LuckyCharms Monday #87

Sorry you've been through this IbogaProject Monday #81

Thank you. LuckyCharms Monday #88

Oh, wow Lucky Charms! slightlv Monday #83

Thanks for posting this Picaro Monday #84

"...and they ask if I'm okay with a PA." 3catwoman3 Monday #108

Well, dang.... Bayard Monday #85

So glad you found the reason for your pain. Hope you feel better soon. 58Sunliner Monday #86

After my mom died, a few months later my Dad started complaining of somewhat vague pain. vanlassie Monday #89

When I first read of your pain it made me sad because Polly Hennessey Monday #90

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

What kind of mega C dose are you talking about. It's been some yrs but I've take... electric_blue68 Yesterday #127

If I recall correctly (this was more than 20 years ago), it was 1-2 grams of vitamin C and 1 gram of lysine with highplainsdem Yesterday #141

TY. Oh, I wouldn't add anything *Until* I check w my practioners, and pharmacy! electric_blue68 23 hrs ago #142

Yep, my bout with shingles was a solid 9 out of 10 on the pain scale. LudwigPastorius Monday #92

I'm so glad you found some relief! Trueblue Texan Monday #93

It's getting difficult for me to respond... LuckyCharms Monday #95

I know the pain you are experience, Lucky Charms. I was on a Christmas tour in NYC and got Shingles on one side of my debm55 Monday #96

What a relief to know the actual diagnosis is something that will eventually go away. summer_in_TX Monday #97

Oh, Lucky Charms, I'm so glad you are actually getting help at last! HeartsCanHope Monday #99

I agree on the NPs - I have one now also and she's the best TBF Monday #100

Wow! Good news AND good advice! Thanks! Perhaps a "health tips" forum would be good here. I experienced a weird Exp Monday #101

Wow UpInArms Monday #102

Yea for you Lucky - hope this provides some light at the end of the tunnel of pain for you. Marie Marie Monday #105

Dammit. That is so deeply concerning. The pain must be intense. MRI will provide more insight. Take care, ED Evolve Dammit Monday #106

Just one more reason to love you, LC. littlemissmartypants Monday #107

Thanks so much for the words-to-the-wise, LuckyCharms! calimary Monday #109

As a now retired NP (peds was my specialty), it very gratifying to hear that an NP... 3catwoman3 Monday #110

NPs are the best. Sometimes they know things the doctors just don't. Get well sooooon LC 💚 Clouds Passing Monday #113

I got my Shingles shot when my neighbor told me how awful it is. BigmanPigman Monday #114

Unfortunately vaccinations aren't always 100% effective, BigmanPigman Niagara Yesterday #135

Good info! Thanks a lot. BigmanPigman Yesterday #136

You're welcome! Niagara Yesterday #137

My sister had seriously painful shingles about 9 or 10 years ago FakeNoose Monday #115

I have a family member who got their vocal cords attacked by shingles. It caused mucifer Monday #117

At least you found out what it is! 2naSalit Monday #119

Yikes! SleeplessinSoCal Monday #121

My husband used the really strong Capsaicin to relieve pain from shingles Marthe48 Monday #123

Thanks for the education indeed. Sharing. soldierant Monday #124

Woah, shingles! Who'd guess that! May each batch of hours bring you more, And More Relief, LC! And All Gone ASAP! electric_blue68 Yesterday #128

Thank you for sharing this. stillspkg Yesterday #129

Here's the question: What the hell is shingles?! Does any other virus do this? Wow! C Moon Yesterday #130

I hope mgardener Yesterday #132

we could solve all this shit if we got rid 0f the chickenpox vax. pansypoo53219 Yesterday #134

OMG! What a nightmare. Nurse Practioners & Physician Assistants rock! Joinfortmill Yesterday #138

Thanks for posting this. NH Ethylene Yesterday #139