Well, leave it to me to come down with something I've never heard of. 😂
For the last week or so I've been feeling "off." Not really sick but low energy with a dull headache. The skin on my front upper leg started feeling numb then shooting pains started down my leg from my hip to knee and the skin on the right side of my right upper leg began feeling like I had a bad sunburn. The symptoms were exactly the same as when I had shingles down my left thigh about 7.5 years ago but there is no rash now as there was then.
I have a history of multiple shingles outbreaks--I've had more than a dozen since 1994. I take a daily dose of Valtrex as a preventative and haven't had an outbreak in over a year. This thing with my leg is driving me nuts and I haven't had more than 3-4 hours of sleep a night since Thursday so I thought I'd better see my doctor. Well, she thinks I have “zoster sine herpete” (ZSH)" which is shingles without the rash. I googled it and it sure sounds like what I have:
It is possible for a person to develop shingles without being affected by the rash, although this is rare. When shingles occurs without the rash being present, this is called zoster sine herpete (ZSH).
When shingles occurs without a rash, the first symptoms of the condition may involve:
A feeling of numbness in a certain area
An itchy, burning sensation
A painful sensation
Headache
Fatigue
Generalized aches
Hypersensitivity to touch
https://ada.com/signs-of-shingles/
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ARRGH! It's one of the more painful outbreaks and I'm just miserable. Since I have an anaphylactic allergy to aspirin and NSAIDs, the most I can do is take a double dose of Valtrex 3 times a day and try wearing a lidocaine patch for the skin discomfort.
This sucks so if anyone of you out there has not gotten the shingles vaccine, run--don't walk--to your doctor or pharmacy to get vaccinated.
I'm gonna go whine now.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I appreciate that very much.
Thank you!
...feel better soon!
I have an extended family member with rheumatoid arthritis who developed this and unfortunately had a very hard time since a lot of possible therapies could not be used with her.
With time the symptoms faded though her other issues made it less of a dramatic improvement overall.
Yes.. that is a definite yes to getting the vaccine. For those with timing questions about the Shingrex vaccine and Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, you should wait 14 days following receipt of either to get the other one.
Best wishes on what should be for you a far less drawn-out recovery than my aunt.
sensitive to certain drugs and I cannot take meds usually prescribed for nerve pain like Lyrica and gabapentin because of the horrific side effects. I'm sorry about your family member. It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy--well, maybe those involved in January 6 but I'll just leave that there, lol.
Thank you for pointing out that you should wait between vaccinations--that's an important tip.
Thanks again!
Last edited Mon Jul 19, 2021, 05:45 PM - Edit history (1)
My aunt almost went blind during one of her outbreaks. It hit her right eye and it was touch and go for a while. Multiple outbreaks run in my family. My grandma, dad, aunt, and my 3 first cousins all have had multiple outbreaks but I take the prize for most outbreaks. Lucky me!
I hope you bounce back soon! Take care.
Edited to add:
Do you have nerve pain? Have you tried Lyrica or something similar? I can't take it because of the side effects but I'm told it's quite effective for most people. I so hope you feel better soon. Long-haul nerve pain is absolutely soul-crushing.
like "tingling toes" on steroids and involved my upper thighs to the extent that I was unable to sleep.
I did track that down to suspected food poisoning though and since I'm avoiding that particular
product (store-bought California Roll sushi) I haven't had any repeats of it.
I wish you a rapid recovery and continued health.
That sounds miserable. I'm glad you haven't had a recurrence. Thanks again for your good wishes!
Thanks again!
So sorry to hear you’re suffering with this 
hoping you feel better soon!
The CBD salve and lotion at my local dispensary don’t have that ingredient, I just called them to verify; they thought you might be using hemp, but they’re east coast, not MI. They also suggested that if the CBD gummies you’re using are making you sleepy, to try 1:1 gummies instead - less likely to put you to sleep and also will likely help more with the pain. Also they suggested trying a salve that’s 1:1.
Also, have you looked into medicinal mushrooms to boost your immune system? Wondering if that might help.
You’re dealing with a lot and still manage to put smiles on our faces all the time.
and the place in California I get my gummies from only had cream with methyl salicylate in it. I try to stick with the mail-order company exclusively because they have a relationship with my pain clinic (I get 50% off) and their CBD products are certified THC-free. That's important because, even though weed is legal in Michigan, to the DEA it's not. There was a clause prohibiting THC in my pain meds contract because they could get in trouble with the DEA if they're allowing their pain meds patients to take--to them--illegal drugs. I don't blame them for being paranoid about it because the DEA has made their lives miserable (not to mention the lives of too many pain patients.)
I've had my immune system tested and it's very strong. For instance, I haven't had a cold in almost 4 years and the last time I had the flu was in 1982 but I just can't shake these shingles. The doctor was a little surprised at the results of my blood tests because he figured something could be awry but nothing showed up.
Thank you so much for your message. I appreciate it so much.
I'm going to try that tonight since the pharmacy was out of the lidocaine patches the doctor prescribed and they won't be delivered from their warehouse until tomorrow.
Thanks again.
before the vaccine was available. Don't know what kind, but I don't think it involved a rash. Alt doctor wanted to give her vitamin b12 injections into the site. She never went for it. Don't know if it would have worked.
My suggestion for all that ails anyone. Eat more garlic.
tomorrow and see what they say. Thank you for the suggestion.
Her doctor, now retired, was a well respected innovative alternative practice guy. Dissolving sclerotic blockages with EDTA IV drips for example. Don't know if he had success with this treatment.
Wish you well!
I hope you're over it soon, catbyte!
I appreciate it very much.
we are here for you
rest up!
Maybe I'll sift through some animal rescue videos to see if I can find any hot guys to take my mind off of all this. 
Thanks again, my friend!
Shingles is a dreadful condition. You need a virtual .
Be well soon.
/on edit/A couple of silly lorikeets:
It sounds horrible! I wonder if ice packs would help, since they can numb things out. That is usually my go-to for pain since i am allergic to any heavy duty pain meds. Also, look up anti-inflammatory foods and supplements and stay away from foods and other substances that cause inflammation.
I hope you feel better soon!
this one, not so much!
Your pain sounds horrible, and I hope you find relief soon.
I am so sorry. Nothing worse than not being able to sleep through one's misery. Sending positive, healing energy your way.
(I've had shingles and then post-zoster neuralgia, so I understand.)
I only have a little bit of nerve pain from the outbreak and it's getting better every day. Have a great, safe week!
Great turn of events. Big hugs of happy!
