Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • Gabe
    Participant
    July 28, 2013 at 6:05 pm
    Post count: 182
    #1060118

    Hi all, I’m heading to the urgent care walkin center in the morning but I’m pretty sure I have shingles on my right side (mostly on my back). Started 3 days ago…thought I pulled a muscle. It’s kept me up for the last 2 nights.

    Is there anything I should be aware of since I’m 8 weeks post TT? Will the antiviral meds affect my synthroid levels? I’m supposed to have 6 week blood work on Friday…will this affect my thyroid stuff? Of course I will ask the doctor all these and many more questions in the morning…

    I remember hearing somewhere that surgery can bring on shingles since its a dormant virus that can react to physical or other stressors. Hoy cow. One thing after another….

    Thanks! Karen

    SueAndHerZoo
    Participant
    July 28, 2013 at 7:52 pm
    Post count: 439
    #1180541

    I think you’ll be fine with the anti-viral and TT… I’ve been on Valtrex for about two years (daily maintenance dose) because I got shingles TWICE in 5 years. I’ve never stopped taking the Valtrex before, during, or after the TT so there shouldn’t be any interaction. Good luck!
    Sue

    snelsen
    Participant
    July 29, 2013 at 7:55 am
    Post count: 1909
    #1180542

    Agree with Sue. Plus, shingles is SERIOUS STUFF. The anti viral is wonderful, and we are lucky to have it. The pain and further involvement can be terrible. I did get the shingles vaccine, too.
    You can verify this by asking to speak with the pharmacist when you pick up your RX. Just ask if there are any contraindications to taking thyroid hormone and the antiviral. I think it helps us a lot to remember that thyroid hormone is a part of our life, and is necessary for life. It is just that we are taking it (cause we have to) orally, though the GI tract now, so there are a few things we need to be aware of, mainly to avoid oral supplements for four hours after taking the drug.

    so so sorry you have shingles. Not a pleasant experience, that is for sure. You will get better pretty darn fast with the antiviral.
    Shirley

    Gabe
    Participant
    July 29, 2013 at 12:41 pm
    Post count: 182
    #1180543

    Thanks Sue/Shirley… it’s confirmed it is Shingles…I’m thinking, what next…grow a tail! Jeez… enough already. Took the antivirals right away (biggest darn pills I’ve every seen) so now just hoping it doesn’t progress to the bad stuff (neuralgia, etc). Pharmacist and doctor were not concerned about thyroid stuff. So now a waiting game. Today the blisters have spread and the pain in a little more intense than yesterday but very manageable… if only I didn’t have to wear clothes!

    Since I have TED I’m super anxious about this virus getting into my already-messed-up eyes. Since I’ve probably been contagious a while before the rash showed up, I sure hope with all my fingers in my eyes I didn’t transmit it. I’m assuming I will know if that happens because I hear it’s the most serious place to get shingles and is an emergency.

    Appreciate the responses….Karen

    SueAndHerZoo
    Participant
    July 29, 2013 at 3:40 pm
    Post count: 439
    #1180544

    Glad you got diagnosed and started meds quickly….. hopefully relief will start as soon as tomorrow.

    I know what you mean about the additional worries that come along with this. Once you start reading about the virus and all the warnings and things to watch out for you can worry yourself into another outbreak. Google can be our best friend and our worst enemy. I worried about it spreading to my eyes and brain and still to this day panic if I see a red spot or pimple on the center of my nose. LOL I don’t even remember exactly what that’s a symptom of but I think it was something I obsessed over when I was worrying about that damned virus running through my system.

    There. Now you have something else to worry about just in case you run out. :) Rest assured the anti-viral meds are a God-send and will prevent this from spreading any further…. you will be fine. Rest and focus on growing that tail… at least you could become rich and famous if that happened!
    Sue

    Boomer
    Participant
    July 30, 2013 at 5:53 pm
    Post count: 110
    #1180545

    Hang tough Karen!

    You jumped on it and started the anti-virals quickly so let’s hope that works to your advantage. You’re due for a break and I hope you get one ASAP.

    Stay positive even when you don’t feel like it ;-)

    Rootin’ for you!

    Boomer

    amosmcd
    Participant
    August 2, 2013 at 5:32 pm
    Post count: 231
    #1180546

    Hi, Karen==

    I’m sorry to hear about the shingles! My step-father had them back in the 70’s and suffered horribly. Now they have great treatment for them. My brother recently had shingles and he pretty much breezed through it, although they were painful at first. No lasting effects.

    It’s frustrating when our bodies decide to pile on crap on top of other crap! Why wouldn’t our bodies just say, “Okay, I’ve been through enough recently…let’s do some self-healing…”, but no it’s always the pile on stuff!

    Maybe it’s the body’s way of telling us to slow down and relax. Either way, I hope you are feeling better soon and the anti-viral med knocks this down quickly.

    Take care,
    Amy

    Gabe
    Participant
    August 3, 2013 at 5:44 am
    Post count: 182
    #1180547

    Hi Amy. I’m hoping I got on the antivirals soon enough. They are uncomfortable and at times painful, but manageable. Worst time is middle of night…of course another thing to ruin my already ruined sleep! Thanks for the good thoughts. Another blip on the radar screen of life!

    Take care, Karen

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