Last week I battled a nasty head cold that finally broke up over the weekend. Even though the symptoms are gone, I just haven’t had my bounce back yet and have been really tired and unmotivated this week. We have a few stressful situations going on right now in our family, so I thought I was just reacting to that.
On Tuesday while at the grocery store, I got this strange tingly sensation on my head and felt a large lump. I thought perhaps it was a reaction to some new shampoo.
Then last night, the left side of my face swellled up and my left eye was swollen and itchy. I started to get a little concerend.
At 2:30 this morning I awoke to terrible pain in my ear, jaw and eye and my husband called the shot to take me to the hospital.
It turns out that I have shingles. Ugh!
It isn’t too bad, I just have a couple of areas on my head and a little bit of pain in my face and shoulder, and I am really, really tired. Nothing unbearable and hopefully getting on some medicine right away helps. I’ll be stopping into our local natural pharmacy to see what they have to recommend.I would much rather do something natural than take prescription drugs if I can help it.
Not quite how I was expecting to start my day! We will be leaving for Disney in a couple of weeks, so I am really hoping and praying that this is the worst it gets and I will be all ready for some fun and sunshine by then!
No horror stories please, but have you ever had Shingles? Any natural remedies or recommendations? I’d love to kick this to the curb as soon as possible!
{ 9 comments }
Cod Liver oil and vitamin C will help tremendously!!
I’m glad the conventional medications have helped. If you get them thru your system with in the first 2 days, they work quickly. Do look after yourself, as like any herpes related virus, they stay dormant and come out when your run down or stressed…Immune system supporting herbs daily should help with stopping that.
Hope you feel better soon.
When I worked as a nurse I did see shingles a few times. Sorry no natural remedies that I know of.
Only word of advice. Don’t be around pregnant woman because it can affect the baby. Also, as someone else mentioned, it is the same virus as chickenpox. Because of this, someone who has NOT had the chickenpox can get shingles.
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Judy Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 2:25 am
I am replying to my own post.
Cyndy is right, you can get shingles more than once because it goes dormant in the body (like cold sores do—again, same family) and illness and stress on the body can bring them out again. Sorry : (
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Stephanie Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Yes I have read that too. I realize now the importance of keeping my immune system strong. I got a cold the week before and didn’t care for myself as I should have and I think it triggered this!
My mom has had shingles a couple of times (sorry, you probably didn’t want to hear that). If she were to give any advice it would be to stick with the medication your doctor has given you and if (God forbid) you should ever have them again get on the medication ASAP.
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Stephanie Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Thank you. I have read that quite often. Was it antiviral medicine they gave her, do you know?
Cyndy Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you on this. I hope you are feeling better.
I’m afraid I don’t know what the med is that my mom uses.
I hope you feel better soon!
Stephanie Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Thank you Cassy
Shingles (Herpes Zoster), the Varicella Zoster virus is responsible for Chicken Pox and Shingles. Sorry for posting a link, but this site had some very practical remedies for pain management. http://www.cedarvaleretreat.com.au/ishingles.html
Stephanie Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Thank you very much for your link. Although it says that medicine is not helpful, I have been taking and anti viral and steroid (due to inflammation of my parotid gland) and they have been very helpful!
I work for a dermatologist and I am always looking into natural things, but i do not know any for shingles, I know there is a vaccine out for it, but it is recommeneded for over 60 years old
Stephanie Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I am not finding too much either but do see that keeping your immune system healthy and stress levels low helps to stop you from getting it!
My dad had them and my naturopath said to rub a cut in half onion on the sores. He had a severe case and this was the ONLY thing that alleviated the pain. Onion juice pulls out the virus and kills it. I know it sounds weird and “witchdoctorish” but it works. And if it works, by golly you can count me in!
Hope you feel better soon.
Jen
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Stephanie Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Gee, I think I may have to wait on that one. Smelling like onions? Ew! But if I get desperate enough I will have to give it a try!
Oh, you poor thing! I’ve never had shingles myself, but my daughter actually had it when she was only 2 1/2 yrs old. Unfortunately, I don’t have any natural remedy suggestions… they put her an anti-viral topical cream (it was actually the same stuff that they prescribe for some herpes cases) and that seemed to help her a lot. I hope you recover very soon… I know they’re just miserable!
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Stephanie Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Oh your poor little girl! I have never heard of someone that young getting them. They gave me an anti viral prescription and some prednisone (sp?) too. I am not too bad and praying that it stays that way!
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