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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
        
(Message started by: barry_sword on Apr 24^th, 2007, 8:53am)

Title: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by barry_sword on Apr 24^th, 2007, 8:53am

Sores have developed on my scalp(cluster side) so went to the Doc and he diagnosed me with Shingles. Thought I was coming out of cycle a bit ago but was wrong.

Seems like the Shingles have angered the Beast even more. Hits are more often and hitting at different times. Started meds for the Shingles yesterday and already starting to feel a little bit better.

Went to the ER first with this and was treated with o2 tubes in my nose and an IV for Migraine. [smiley=confused.gif]
ER Doc wouldn't even look at my head to check the swelling and blisters. I told him I suffer from CH's and he said he does too and proceeded to tell me stuff like quote: It is a man thing and women do not get these and at that point I just wanted out of there!!! What a quack.

Has any one else had Shingles while in cycle?

A very tender and sore Barry

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Langa on Apr 24^th, 2007, 9:05am

Wow Barry. That sounds awful :-[. I always thought shingles appeared on the torso [smiley=huh.gif]. They're painful enough...I can't even imagine on the cluster side of your head. Yeesh.

Glad you're feeling a little better though. Hang in there.

Langa

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by DonnaHar on Apr 24^th, 2007, 9:18am

Me too, Langa.

I always heard that they follow a path along where a nerve travels....like across your shoulder and chest or lower.

To have this on your cluster side must be horrible. I'm sorry to hear this.

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Margi on Apr 24^th, 2007, 10:30am

I'll third that opinion that shingles do start on the trunk, not the scalp. However, if this doctor thinks he has clusters but believes it's only a man thing - that should be a good indication that maybe it's time to change docs. Go to a walk-in or emerg, Barry and get a second opinion on your scalp issues. Might be something that can be controlled with a medicated shampoo. Look up shingles on the internet and see if your symptoms do match, too?

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by barry_sword on Apr 24^th, 2007, 10:55am

on 04/24/07 at 10:30:31, Margi wrote:

Margi, I will be getting my second opinion on Thurs. when I see my neuro. It was my GP not the ER Doc that suggested this was Shingles. I have had a couple of "hot spots" on my upper leg but thought it was something I might have picked up in the bush mountain biking. The meds he gave me is easing the pain in my head and neck and the sores are not leaking as much, the fever has backed off.

Thanks, Barry

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Karla on Apr 24^th, 2007, 10:56am

shringles are one sided and hurt beyond all belief. My son had a case around christmas time. One dr said it was a bacterial rash and sent him home with a cream. it continued to spread all over his groin and r. leg. He couldnt even walk. I took him back to er saw a different dr and then had 20 dr in there looking at his bad case of shingles. It was really really bad. They put him in the hospital for a day. It is gone now but lots of scars. I would get a second opinion if you need it.

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by DonnaHar on Apr 24^th, 2007, 11:35am

here's a site from the Neurological Institute..

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/shingles.htm

Notice that people who have not had chickenpox can get chickenpox from someone with shingles.

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Yorky on Apr 24^th, 2007, 11:42am

it never rains..it always pours down..

hope things improve barry

(that was lucky...gettin a doc....that gets ch....) (?)

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by barry_sword on Apr 24^th, 2007, 11:50am

Thanks Donna, I am reading up on this. It is all new to me right now. My ex boss(deceased)) had Shingles on the left side of his face about 7 years ago and I remember him taking several weeks off work because he could not stand the pain to be at work.
I am taking some time off also but hope for a speedy recovery. Us CH's don't let these things get the better of us, do we! ;;D

Thanks, and I will keep researching it,

Barry

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Rosybabe on Apr 24^th, 2007, 12:41pm

Hi Barry!
yes I had shingles when in cycle, I have the scar to prove it, right in my right temple, in the side where I get most of my clusters.

I remember I got up that night about the usual 2 am cluster hit and I put ice on it and rode the hit , I did not have any good medicine back then I just took 800 mg of ibuprofen and it was a very nasty hit.

When the pain was gone I passed out and when I woke up the right side of my face was completely swallen and I got a red patchy spot on my temple.

First I tought it was a burn from the ice but they send me to the ER (I was living at the college dorms back then) and they said it was shingles and they treated as they treat herpes zoster. I got an ugly scar I keep telling myself I have to have it removed but I never got to do it.
Later I had another cycle and the neuro told me my pain was a result of the shingle! [smiley=huh.gif]
He was a stupid Doctor.!! The damn shingle was a result of a nasty cluster hit!! no the opposite!!!

My next neuro told me that I was going to have a hard time with my clusters on my right side because with the shingle it only made that nerve ending area more sensitive...and it is...it not only hurts inside with the cluster but my skin is incredible sore.

I think I mentioned before that I can't stand anybody touching my head not even for a massage, it is just very sore.

Hope you get to feel better soon Barry, I really wish you do.

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Redd on Apr 24^th, 2007, 12:52pm

Shingles at the trunk site is the most common, agreed, I had a case in 2000 that began on my left soulder and spread all the way down my left arm onto my hand and fingers.

It does hurt, and itch and burn all at the same time.

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by artonio7 on Apr 24^th, 2007, 1:04pm

Wow Barry,

I'm very sorry that you're going through this. I'm praying that it passes quickly.

Keep your chin up.

With warm regards,
Tony

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Skyhawk5 on Apr 24^th, 2007, 1:45pm

In 2003 Shingles triggered an out of season cycle for me. Neuro said because it affects the nerves. I get long cycles and clearing up the Shingles didn't stop it.

I had them on my back & chest. No fun. It caused a bad nightmare for me. We left on a caravan trip from Mich to S. Carolina and I got hit with a kip-10 about 3hrs into the trip. I had 2 E-tanks of O2 with me but no seal so I couldn't use it. Went to the ER the next day (Sunday) and got some seals from them.

The next day I flew home, leaving the wife with family after 3 kip-10s overnight. Sorry had to get that out.
Skyhawk5

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Paul98 on Apr 24^th, 2007, 2:49pm

on 04/24/07 at 10:55:36, barry_sword wrote:

Sorry to hear about the shingles Barry. My mother got that on her forhead and she said it was very painful.

With the meds for the shingles are for herpes class of virus (chickenpox) and if I remember correctly you should avoid direct sun while taking them.

Hope things settle down for you Bro.

-P.

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by Jackie on Apr 24^th, 2007, 3:09pm

As if clusters aren't enough.... >:(

I sure would check with another doctor.....

"Feel better soon vibes"......

Jacks 8)

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by artonio7 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 2:48pm

Ok... so don't kill the messenger... I just saw on TV an interesting news story on the benefits of Tai Chi on reducing Shingles. It's said to have an amazing effect on bolstering the immune system. http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-1-67-112-3824-1,00.html

Give anything a shot!

with warm regards,
Tony

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by barry_sword on Apr 25^th, 2007, 3:09pm

Thanks Tony. My immune system is down for sure so am prone to lots of things. Stress was a big part so I am off work to take that part out of the equasion.

Tia Che eh! Does he do house calls? ;;D
J/K Tony, I sure appreciate the kind thoughts from all of you.
I see my neuro tomorrow so I will be 100% sure what it is.

Thanks again every one,
Please do not come with-in 3 feet of my head right now!!

Barry :P

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by testy01 on Apr 27^th, 2007, 3:21pm

Barry.

All I can say is that I'm sorry to hear this. Some of the abort-meds I've tried have made my skin feel weird and I don't even want to think about how that would feel with shingles. Hell, that's awful.

Jack

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by eddie on Apr 27^th, 2007, 4:33pm

i hope it gets better for ya

eddie

Title: Re: Clusters And Shingles Don't Mix
Post by barry_sword on Apr 27^th, 2007, 4:56pm

Thanks guy's. Meds are doing there thing very well. Not near as sore today but I still should stay clear of any one who has not had the Chicken pox.
One guy came up to me and I swear he was going to bear hug me, I guess he thought he knew me, and I said to him "Have you ever had the Chicken Pox?" He kinda looked at me and said "No, why? I said "No reason". The guy just stood there for a moment then started to back up.
Similar to midwestbeth's energy drink experience in another thread. I just find I say stuff daily that other's have never heard of. The Beast is an eyebrow lifter for sure.

Barry
PS: still learning names :-[