<p>Well, this sucks. Had weird pain all last weekend–behind my shoulder blade, in my chest, in my side…was this close to going to ER until I woke up Monday with a rash which made it clear that I have shingles. Dang–thought that was for old people, lol (guess I fit that demographic now!)</p>
<p>Anyway, been off and on in pain all week, rash spreading, itching, feel mildly sick and tired. Did not see this coming. I’m on the anti-viral medicine which will hopefully keep this from getting chronic, but truly, this sucks. I’m trying to get ready for the school year (classes start in a week), but I just want to crawl into a cave till it goes away.</p>
<p>well it definitely is not just for ‘old people’ my H had it in college and in grad school to a mild degree, not in his later years. stress and/or bad luck. so sorry.</p>
<p>Oh, no - I’m sorry, garland. I hope you can rest up a bit before your classes begin. This is something that doubtless many of us have to look forward to - you’re just ahead of the curve, unfortunately. Feel better!</p>
<p>So, sorry, garland. I had shingles last year. Had back pain and a rash but nobody put it together until I went to the doctor . I had done some yard work and exercise so initially thought I had just strained myself. Should clear up for you and you should be as good as new soon.</p>
<p>No, definitely not just for old people. My DD had shingles at the ripe old age of 4 when our family was attending my brother’s OOS wedding. My 5yo niece who was also in attendance consequently ended up with chicken pox. DD also spread chicken pox to a few at her daycare, as she was not diagnosed until the day after returning home from the wedding. Ironically, my mother thought it was shingles, but when we called ‘Ask-a-Nurse’ from our hotel, we were told that she was not old enough to have shingles.</p>
<p>Sorry you’re going through this. I hope the worst is over and you recover quickly.</p>
<p>Snlmom…why did they think your daughter had shingles and not chicken pox at age 4 (i didn’t think shingles was contagious, or could cause chicken pox).</p>
<p>BalletMom, DD had chickenpox when she was one. Shingles is a re-emergence of the virus that causes the chickenpox. The shingles rash is very different looking from chickenpox. My daughter’s rash was a 2" wide scaly band from her sternum to her spine that was only on her right side. It first emerged while swimming in the hotel pool and was located just under her bathing suit top, so we originally thought that it could have been an irritation from the suit or residual detergent.</p>
<p>Doctors, correct me if I’m wrong, but we were told that you cannot spread shingles from shingles or chicken pox, but you can spread chicken pox from shingles. And you can’t contract shingles without having had chicken pox… Which would be an added benefit of the chicken pox vaccine.</p>
<p>I wish the CDC would reduce the age they recommend for the shingles vaccine so insurance companies would start covering it for younger patients. At least down to 50…</p>
<p>Yikes, garland! I’m so sorry! Is there anything you can do for the pain? I’ve heard it’s miserable, but I do know someone who had it in college, so it’s not just something old people get.
There is a vaccine. Has anyone taken it? It does have some risks, as it’s a live vaccine, but I’ve been debating getting it for awhile now.
Really hope you feel better soon! {{{ very gentle hugs}}}</p>