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(Message started by: Sid_Lewis on Aug 29th, 2002, 7:22am)
Title: Shingles anyone?
Post by Sid_Lewis on Aug 29th, 2002, 7:22am
Is it just me or are there other CH sufferers who also suffer from Shingles?

Also, was it my imagination or was the shingle pain similar, although not in the same location, to CHs?

Just another thought for the board.


Sid
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Cin on Aug 29th, 2002, 8:37am

Good morning,

I had shingles 3 years ago, and it was painful, but that pain was not even close to my cluster headaches.  Sure wouldn't have been nice to have both at the same time though.  

Smiles,
Cin
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by oringkid on Aug 29th, 2002, 9:02am
No thank you. ;D  I'll just have a drink please.



Sorry.


Never had shingles but had a boss who had them and they manifested on her temple and caused excruciating pain according to her.

Sherry
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by NancyMcFree on Aug 29th, 2002, 9:09am
Never had shingles but my sister did.  Very painful ....
isng't shingles another "stress related" illness ???????  
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Sid_Lewis on Aug 29th, 2002, 9:16am
Yes, I think it is associated with stress but I always understood it was a part of the chicken pox virus or something.

I just wondered if there could be a causal link.


Sid Lewis
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by sailpappy on Aug 29th, 2002, 10:05am
;D ;D Yes your right it is a variation of the pox virus, they are all members of the herpes family and I understand that Neurontin has been very successful in treating the pain from shingles!  JMHO check Google's search.   Pappy
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Jim R on Aug 29th, 2002, 10:07am
They are a late effect of the herpes zoster virus - you cannot have shingles unless you have already had herpes zoster. Jim R
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by gtar_man on Aug 29th, 2002, 12:10pm
Shingles occurs to people who had chicken pox in their youth - the virus stays dormant in the body and manifests inself in later years as an extremely painful malady that presents as a group of itchy, stinging blisters that break out along a nerve strand.
It is usually responsive to the acyclovir family of viral inhibitors - Valtrex and Famvir esp.
Richard Nixon had 'em. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
-mean ol Mike
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by oringkid on Aug 29th, 2002, 12:24pm
I've had chicken pox but never shingles.  What causes shingles to show up in some?

Sherry
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Ted on Aug 29th, 2002, 1:09pm
I'm wondering if shingles cause mosquito bites.
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Sid_Lewis on Aug 29th, 2002, 1:35pm
I don't know any mosquitos with shingles!  :-)


Sid
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by gtar_man on Aug 29th, 2002, 3:10pm
Chicken pox is also a herpes virus. It just remains dormant in the body and - in some people - pops up in later life as shingles. And it WILL make you miserable, although it ain't a KIP/10...

Ted and Sid, you never heard of West Nile Shingles? Crack a case of OFF.
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Tom on Aug 29th, 2002, 3:34pm
from:  American Academy of Dermatology:

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles or zoster, is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Anyone who's had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster. The virus remains dormant or inactive in certain nerve root cells of the body and only when it reactivates does zoster occur. About 20 percent of those people who have had chicken pox will get zoster at some time during their lives. Fortunately, most people will get zoster only once.
It is not clear what prompts the virus to reactivate or "awaken" in healthy people. A temporary weakness in immunity (the body's ability to fight infection) may allow the virus to multiply and move along nerve fibers toward the skin. Although children can get zoster, it is more common in people over the age 50. Illness, trauma and stress may also trigger a zoster attack.
People with a weakened immunity for any reason are more prone to develop zoster. They are also more likely to have a serious form of it. Diseases that weaken immunity include cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, and AIDS. Some medical treatments including chemotherapy or radiation for cancer, drugs taken to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, and cortisone pills or injections taken for a long time for any reason, may also lower immunity.
The first symptom of zoster is burning pain, tingling or extreme sensitivity in one area of the skin usually limited to one side of the body. This may be present for one to three days before a red rash appears at that site. There may also be fever or headache. The rash soon turns into groups of blisters that look a lot like chicken pox. The blisters generally last for two to three weeks. The blisters start out clear but then pus or dark blood collects in the blisters before they crust over (scab) and begin to disappear. The pain may last longer. It is unusual but possible to have pain without blisters or blisters without pain.
Great care is needed if the blisters involve the eye because permanent eye damage can result. Blisters on the tip of the nose signal possible eye involvement. The dermatologist will usually refer the patient to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) immediately.
Post-herpetic neuralgia is constant pain or periods of pain that can continue after the skin has healed. It can last for months or even years and is more common in older people. The use of medication in the early stages of the zoster may help prevent this complication.
A bacterial infection of the blisters can occur, and can delay healing. If pain and redness increase or reappear, you should return to the dermatologist. Antibiotic treatment may be needed.
Another complication is the spread of zoster all over the body or to internal organs. This can also happen with chicken pox. It occurs rarely and most often in those with weakened immunity.
The majority of people who develop zoster are otherwise healthy; however, if you have other medical problems or could have been exposed to the AIDS virus, be sure to let your dermatologist know. This could affect treatment. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and may order tests, such as chest x-ray or blood studies, to be sure there are no other problems.
The virus that causes zoster can only be passed on to others who have not had chicken pox and then they will develop chicken pox, not zoster. Zoster is much less contagious than chicken pox. Persons with zoster can only transmit the virus if blisters are broken. Newborns or those with decreased immunity are at the highest risk for contracting chicken pox from someone who has zoster. Patients with zoster rarely require hospitalization.
Zoster, usually clears on its own in a few weeks and seldom recurs.
If diagnosed early, oral anti-viral drugs can be prescribed to decrease both viral shedding and the duration of skin lesions. They are routinely prescribed for severe cases of zoster - with eye involvement, for example - or for those with decreased immunity.
The earlier treatment is started the better. These drugs do not seem to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia, but may shorten its duration.
Corticosteroids, sometimes in combination with anti-viral drugs, also are used for severe infection, such as in the eyes, and to reduce severe pain. Nerve blocks can also help to control pain.
Post-herpetic neuralgia can be treated with an oral medication at night and frequent use of pain relievers during the day. The oral medications are called anti-depressants and anti seizure medicines but are also used to treat other painful conditions. An ointment containing capsaicin, an extract of pepper, is helpful for some people. The ointment is applied to painful areas of the skin three to four times a day and the pain gradually eases over one to three weeks.
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by oringkid on Aug 29th, 2002, 5:07pm
Thanks Tom, that was excellent info!  Now here is a questions for you.  Could this virus affect the interior of the body...say the ....hypothalamus?? ;D without working it's way out to the skin?

Maybe sounds crazy, but if you think about it, both affect the nerves and cause pain.  There probably aren't many (maybe not even any) of us that have not had chicken pox.  Could there be a herpes that affects us from the inside?

Sherry
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Slammy on Aug 29th, 2002, 5:35pm

on 08/29/02 at 17:07:43, oringkid wrote:
Now here is a questions for you.  Could this virus affect the interior of the body...say the ....hypothalamus?? ;D without working it's way out to the skin?

Could there be a herpes that affects us from the inside?

Sherry



Jeezus, Sherry!  You are sounding more and more like Cat everyday now!  LMFAO!!!!    ;D


Love ya!   :-*




Slammy    8)
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Tom on Aug 29th, 2002, 6:10pm
» Could this virus (i.e. the chicken pox virus) affect the interior of the body...say the ....hypothalamus?? «

Sherry, thanks for your high oppinion concerning my medical capabilities - but I have to admitt to  don't have the touch of an idea about this really interesting topic. Nevertheless, you asked a truly scientific and exciting question ! Perhaps Prof. Goadsby in London could pick-up (or dismiss...) your idea.

Because: There has been alredy for years the theory that several neurological deseases could be caused by a group of the so called "slow viruses", i.e. either viruses that a priori act in a slow way or other "rapid" ones, that usually cause acute deseases and sometimes may be transformed into "slow viruses" due to a strange immunologic answer of the respective affected organism.  For example, the "subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)", a chronic encephalitis,  and very similar to the Multiple sclerosis (MS), is said to be caused by a "slow" measles virus. This and a lot of other information has lead many to suspect that MS is (also) caused by the measles virus or a close relative.

If you are intersted to learn more about this topic, put " measles multiple sclerosis " into the Google - you'll get 64 (yes, sixtyfour !) pages of informations.

Wish you a painfree time !        Thomas
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by oringkid on Aug 29th, 2002, 6:23pm
Thanks!  And I will!

Sherry
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by SFChris on Aug 29th, 2002, 6:30pm
Sherry - FYI.  I have never had chicken pox, or measels, mumps, etc.  My mother never knew how or why, but I escaped them all.  Although, I did have a nasty bout of mono-nucleosis (sp?) while a teenager.
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by oringkid on Aug 29th, 2002, 6:41pm
I also had mono.  My spleen almost burst according to my doctor.  I never knew I had it cuz I was dancing at the time and fatigue and pain were just part of my daily life.  I forget what it was that finally made my mom decide I should go to the doc...

Oh, by the way for all youse guys out there.  You don't have to have contact with anyone to get mono.  You can get it all on your own.  ie. I did not get it from someone else by kissing or any other type of fluid transfer.  :P  I just let myself get run down.  I was a ballet dancer and weighed all of 94 lbs at the time.

Really catholic, goody, goody (back then ;D) old Sherry
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by ZAIRA on Aug 30th, 2002, 1:58am
Hey,
for your knowledge in Italy SHINGLES i colled FUOCO DI ST. ANTONIO.
Fortunately I have not suffered of it, but I know a Madam who suffers of this shingles and she told me it was very painful.
I have, for exemple, an herpes which in danaging my cornea, and it is very painful.
DANNED IS HERPES!

Many wishes Sid

ciao
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Tom on Aug 30th, 2002, 6:36am
Jeez, what a confusion,
shingles are called in Italian "erpete zoster", the so called "Fuoco di San Antonio" is a completely different desease !

The "Fuoco di San Antonio" or in English "St.Anthony's Fire"  is a severe intoxication with ergot alcaloids produced by the ergot fungus. Apparently it mostly affected rye, in Italian rye is called "segale", while the ergot fungus is called "segale cornuta".

The medical term for this intoxication is "ergotism", and ergotism is one of the most severe complications of the long-term use of our ergotamine drugs (like (Ergomar®, Ergostat®, Cafergot®, Ercaf®, Wigraine® etc).
--------------------------------------
For more information look at: www.gardenforum.com/ergot.html
the following is a part of that text:

Every school child learns of the unique period in American history known as the Salem witch trials, a brief time of fear and frenzy when three young girls suffered a series of convulsive visions in which they saw the mark of the devil on certain women in the village. During 1692 the town executed 20 innocent women based on the girls' accusations, and ever since there have been investigations to explain such abnormal behavior.
This story begins in fourth century Europe when rye was the staple grain of the poor. At this time epidemics ran through the villages which left in its wake many dead, or others mutilated if they were unfortunate enough to survive. From the ninth to the fourteenth centuries, and even much later, eastern France saw a string of epidemics then called "holy fire" or "hell's fire". This was such a great affliction that the monastic Order of St. Anthony was founded to care for the sufferers of a malady finally named, St. Anthony's Fire.
It is very small, too small to see except with the aid of a microscope. It's a tiny speck of fungus which infects only the grain of rye plants, and does so more often in cold, wet weather. Once the grain is infested it becomes highly toxic. Those unfortunate enough to consume that grain suffer intense burning pains in the limbs from restriction of blood flow, then they quickly become gangrenous and fall off. It also caused spontaneous abortion. Many died of the disease, but others survived horribly mutilated for the rest of their lives. In the year 994 alone, over 40,000 people died of the disease.
Until the end of the sixteenth century the only recourse for sufferers was to make a pilgrimage to the various shrines of St. Anthony where the doors were painted red or flame colored to better mark them for the sick. There the monks bore a blue 'T' on their robes, which many believed represented the crutch since those who lost one or both legs would forever use it to walk.
Midwives knew of the powerful effects of ergot long before it was officially "discovered" by medicine as the cause of St. Antony's fire. It was not uncommon to administer five to nine grains to women in difficult labor in order to speed the contractions, and reduce postpartum bleeding.
-------------------------
Thomas
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 30th, 2002, 7:01am


Just to add a bit more confusion...............

I have Epstein Barr syndrome which is basically the virus that causes mono which is also a herpes virus. Sometimes called a "shedding virus". It can lay dormant for years and stress and other factors can bring it out. I now know the signs of an impending onset - sore throat that won't go away, low grade fever, being totally exhausted for no reason, etc. and I take the measures I need to until it passes. There are no medications for it and you just have to rest, eat well and let it take its course. I do take additional vitamins and minerals and herbs to help keep it at bay. I have never had Shingles but I believe it is in the same category. Is there a relation to CH's? I have no idea!!! :D :D

Chris L
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by ZAIRA on Aug 30th, 2002, 12:03pm
Thank you Tom for info!
But in my medical dictionary Shingles is translated either Herpes zoster or Fuoco di S. Antonio

REGARDS

Zaira



on 08/30/02 at 06:36:14, Tom wrote:
Jeez, what a confusion,
shingles are called in Italian "erpete zoster", the so called "Fuoco di San Antonio" is a completely different desease !

The "Fuoco di San Antonio" or in English "St.Anthony's Fire"  is a severe intoxication with ergot alcaloids produced by the ergot fungus. Apparently it mostly affected rye, in Italian rye is called "segale", while the ergot fungus is called "segale cornuta".

The medical term for this intoxication is "ergotism", and ergotism is one of the most severe complications of the long-term use of our ergotamine drugs (like (Ergomar®, Ergostat®, Cafergot®, Ercaf®, Wigraine® etc).
--------------------------------------
For more information look at: www.gardenforum.com/ergot.html
the following is a part of that text:

Every school child learns of the unique period in American history known as the Salem witch trials, a brief time of fear and frenzy when three young girls suffered a series of convulsive visions in which they saw the mark of the devil on certain women in the village. During 1692 the town executed 20 innocent women based on the girls' accusations, and ever since there have been investigations to explain such abnormal behavior.
This story begins in fourth century Europe when rye was the staple grain of the poor. At this time epidemics ran through the villages which left in its wake many dead, or others mutilated if they were unfortunate enough to survive. From the ninth to the fourteenth centuries, and even much later, eastern France saw a string of epidemics then called "holy fire" or "hell's fire". This was such a great affliction that the monastic Order of St. Anthony was founded to care for the sufferers of a malady finally named, St. Anthony's Fire.
It is very small, too small to see except with the aid of a microscope. It's a tiny speck of fungus which infects only the grain of rye plants, and does so more often in cold, wet weather. Once the grain is infested it becomes highly toxic. Those unfortunate enough to consume that grain suffer intense burning pains in the limbs from restriction of blood flow, then they quickly become gangrenous and fall off. It also caused spontaneous abortion. Many died of the disease, but others survived horribly mutilated for the rest of their lives. In the year 994 alone, over 40,000 people died of the disease.
Until the end of the sixteenth century the only recourse for sufferers was to make a pilgrimage to the various shrines of St. Anthony where the doors were painted red or flame colored to better mark them for the sick. There the monks bore a blue 'T' on their robes, which many believed represented the crutch since those who lost one or both legs would forever use it to walk.
Midwives knew of the powerful effects of ergot long before it was officially "discovered" by medicine as the cause of St. Antony's fire. It was not uncommon to administer five to nine grains to women in difficult labor in order to speed the contractions, and reduce postpartum bleeding.
-------------------------
Thomas
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by kim on Aug 30th, 2002, 2:34pm
Shingles.  Never by gawd got DAT.  My brother got em (he works ungodly hours as a contractor).  Run down/stress:  two key factors!  Bells Palsey, now that's a ripper.  Try drinkin a cup a coffee wit yur face all askew!   :D  Go to a diner and ask for TWO cups wit yur coffee.  One to sip from and one to catch the runoff :D

Here it is:  Stress, exhaustion, poor eating habits - they Fuck ya up! ;D
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Tom on Aug 30th, 2002, 3:59pm
Beg your pardon, Zaira, I did some more research:

It seems that in the English speaking countries, in France and in Germany "St. Anthony's Fire"/"Feu de Saint Antoine"/"St.Antonius-Feuer" was a popular/folcloristic term for the ergotism only - on the other hand, in Italy the term "Fuoco di San Antonio" was or is still used for both the ergotism  a n d  shingles.

Sorry !     Thomas
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by forgetfulnot on Aug 31st, 2002, 11:16pm
No thanks, not today :o
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by forgetfulnot on Aug 31st, 2002, 11:20pm

Quote:
Jeez, what a confusion,
shingles are called in Italian "erpete zoster", the so called "Fuoco di San Antonio" is a completely different desease !  

The "Fuoco di San Antonio" or in English "St.Anthony's Fire"  is a severe intoxication with ergot alcaloids produced by the ergot fungus. Apparently it mostly affected rye, in Italian rye is called "segale", while the ergot fungus is called "segale cornuta".  

The medical term for this intoxication is "ergotism", and ergotism is one of the most severe complications of the long-term use of our ergotamine drugs (like (Ergomar®, Ergostat®, Cafergot®, Ercaf®, Wigraine® etc).  
--------------------------------------
For more information look at: www.gardenforum.com/ergot.html
the following is a part of that text:

Every school child learns of the unique period in American history known as the Salem witch trials, a brief time of fear and frenzy when three young girls suffered a series of convulsive visions in which they saw the mark of the devil on certain women in the village. During 1692 the town executed 20 innocent women based on the girls' accusations, and ever since there have been investigations to explain such abnormal behavior.  
This story begins in fourth century Europe when rye was the staple grain of the poor. At this time epidemics ran through the villages which left in its wake many dead, or others mutilated if they were unfortunate enough to survive. From the ninth to the fourteenth centuries, and even much later, eastern France saw a string of epidemics then called "holy fire" or "hell's fire". This was such a great affliction that the monastic Order of St. Anthony was founded to care for the sufferers of a malady finally named, St. Anthony's Fire.  
It is very small, too small to see except with the aid of a microscope. It's a tiny speck of fungus which infects only the grain of rye plants, and does so more often in cold, wet weather. Once the grain is infested it becomes highly toxic. Those unfortunate enough to consume that grain suffer intense burning pains in the limbs from restriction of blood flow, then they quickly become gangrenous and fall off. It also caused spontaneous abortion. Many died of the disease, but others survived horribly mutilated for the rest of their lives. In the year 994 alone, over 40,000 people died of the disease.  
Until the end of the sixteenth century the only recourse for sufferers was to make a pilgrimage to the various shrines of St. Anthony where the doors were painted red or flame colored to better mark them for the sick. There the monks bore a blue 'T' on their robes, which many believed represented the crutch since those who lost one or both legs would forever use it to walk.  
Midwives knew of the powerful effects of ergot long before it was officially "discovered" by medicine as the cause of St. Antony's fire. It was not uncommon to administer five to nine grains to women in difficult labor in order to speed the contractions, and reduce postpartum bleeding.
-------------------------
Thomas



These chicks were doing mushrooms.

Lee
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Ueli on Sep 1st, 2002, 7:58am
That's another way to blow up the message board.   >:(

First quote an entire post of 50 lines and then add a single wisecrack that shows that poster didn't read and understand the quoted text.   >:(

A generally accepted rule of thumb: The quotation should not be longer than your own contribution.

And finally, this "funny" remark is an affront to those collecting data for a new treatment and are trying to be helpful to others.
Title: Re: Shingles anyone?
Post by Charlie on Sep 1st, 2002, 1:39pm
A pox on clusters

I never had chicken pox but I had my share of childhood measles and probably other stuff.  Actually, I was a healthy kid...no brain but healthy.  

So far my unsupported opinion is that ch is a flaw in our wiring somewhere. It's not an exciting "aha" thing, I know.........

Charlie


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