No, I don’t have shingles again, but I noticed that it’s one of the biggest searches that brings people here. To skip to posts that mention shingles, click here.

I’ve had shingles three times. The very first time, I had no clue what it was. Each time thereafter I did.  There have been clear signs that I was going to have a case. In advance of the rash, I felt generally unwell. My most recent outbreak was on the left side of my head, and was preceded by an earache, headache and sore throat just on that side.  Each time, the skin in the area where the rash would soon appear was extremely sensitive and sometimes felt almost as a burning sensation, but very mild.

Once the rash appears, there can be itching and sharp stinging. Sometimes the stinging is enough to make me say ouch! Even after the rash clears up, there’s still some stinging and itching.  It eventually wears off, but I still have itching on my head where the rash used to be. Certain spots are still extremely sensitive at times.

I’ve been told that it’s necessary to start an anti-viral such as Famvir as soon as possible to lessen the likelihood of post herpetic neuralgia, but that it will not be effective if started too late. If the rash has been present for more than 3 days, it may not do any good to be on an anti-viral.  Some myeloma patients are on an anti-viral persistently in an effort to prevent the ocurrance of shingles.  I’ve not done that, because I don’t like the side effects of the drug Famvir, which gives me headaches.

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same thing that causes chicken pox.  If you have never had chicken pox, you won’t get shingles. You can get chicken pox from someone who has shingles though!

More about shingles

Possibly Related Posts:

• Shingles almost gone
• And I thought famvir made me sick
• Eye doctor
• Shingles, schmingles
• Another bout of shingles

chicken pox, herpes zoster, post herpetic neuralgia, rash, Shingles, varicella zoster

This is what my head looks like now.  The rash is gone.  There’s discoloration there, and the skin is extremely sensitive.  Sometimes it itches, too. I have another appointment to see the eye doctor on Tuesday, and I think it will be the last one for this.

If you’re wondering, the thing sticking out of my ear is from my iPod. This has been the first time I’ve tried to use it since before I had shingles. The virus caused pain even in my ear, which made it hurt to listen to music or even the telephone on that side. I still have headaches on the left side of my head, but they’re not as bad and not as constant as they were even a week ago.

You can see that my hair is growing. I hope to look half way normal by spring.

The picture was taken with PhotoBooth on the Mac, which, for reasons unknown to me, produces a mirror image.  So, when I talk of having shingles on the left side, it’s true.

More about shingles

Possibly Related Posts:

• Latest electrophoresis, proteins and free light chains
• My two m-spikes
• Dr. Brian Durie to host a teleconference
• International Myeloma Foundation’s 3rd Annual Comedy Celebration for the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund
• Message from Pat & Pattie Killingsworth

acyclovir, eye, famvir, Myeloma, Shingles

On Friday I started taking famvir for an outbreak of shingles.  I knew from previous times that famvir gave me a pretty bad headache, but I thought I’d do it anyway and maybe this time it wouldn’t happen.  I withstood it for almost 4 full days, but then called the doctor to get something else. It was a wicked headache and I thought anything else had to be better.  I got the rx for acyclovir Tuesday and took my first dose with dinner. Pretty soon I was experiencing nausea.  Those of you who know me, know that this is a serious situation. I fought off the nausea for four hours and then finally had an episode of vomiting and diarrhea.  It was over fast, and probably not worth the four hours I spent trying to avoid it. We do what we do though, and it’s hard to overcome a phobia you’ve had all your life. This could have very well been a coincidence, but I attributed it to the acyclovir (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are reported possible side effects).  I called my doctor the next day, and a nurse asked me if I could tolerate the famvir headache for just 3 more days.  So, I’m back on famvir now.  Just a couple of days to go.  Afterwards, I will probably take one a day to help prevent a recurrence of shingles.

The eye doctor told me that he saw no internal goings-on in my eye.  Only the exterior was affected, including the eyelid (outside and inside).  I have an antibiotic ointment to apply twice daily and a return appointment next week.

I should expect to have a complete recovery anywhere from a few weeks to 6 weeks.

More about shingles

I just learned that shingles’ name comes from the Latin cingulum, which means girdle or belt. There’s a lot of useful information about shingles at the FDA web site.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Latest electrophoresis, proteins and free light chains
• MRIs and Mutliple Myeloma and gadolinium, oh my!
• Required reading
• My two m-spikes
• Dr. Brian Durie to host a teleconference

acyclovir, eye, famvir, Myeloma, Shingles

I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon about my left eye, which is afflicted with shingles. If an eye is ever affected by shingles, get to a doctor, asap!

Here’s a new picture of what the rash looks like.  Don’t click on the thumbnail if you don’t want to see it.  I think it’s hideous.  I try to stay in so that I don’t attract mobs of torch-wielding villagers out in front of the house.

I’m still taking the 500 mg  of Famvir three times a day and am taking some oxycodone as needed.  I never thought I’d say this, but I wish I had some dex.

More about shingles

Possibly Related Posts:

• Latest electrophoresis, proteins and free light chains
• MRIs and Mutliple Myeloma and gadolinium, oh my!
• Required reading
• My two m-spikes
• Dr. Brian Durie to host a teleconference

eye, famvir, Myeloma, Shingles