Hopeful Loser

« 196 and interview questions • Main • Sick but motivated »

October 12, 2007

Shingles?

OK, I haven’t been feeling well for a couple of days and have a wicked skin irritation on my back. I went to the doctor today and he suspects it might be shingles. I’m skeptical. I waited an eternity for this guy to glance at me for a second and render his diagnosis. And he only “suspects” the rash is shingles.

I’m struggling with this because he prescribed me Prednisone (steroid) which, after reading the side effects, scares me. It looks pretty hardcore. Many of the side effects seem worse then the symptoms the medication is supposed to cure.

You know me well if you’re betting that “increased appetite” or “weight gain” is on the list. And yes, that may be all I had to read to discourage me from taking the meds. But how about “changes in the way fat is spread around the body”!? Yeah, I don’t know what’s worse, that or “bulging eyes”. I suppose I could conceal the side effects with a Halloween outfit and go as the hunchback of Notre Dame or because of the “increased hair growth” maybe Cousin It or Wolfman. Either way, with all the “inappropriate happiness” I would be feeling, I’d have a really good time.

Nope, it’s not happening. I’m going to wait and see if it gets any worse first. Wish me luck.

Posted by hopeful @ October 12, 2007 4:00 PM

Comments

Prednisone for shingles before acyclovir? That sounds odd, but I am not a doctor.

Posted by: H at October 12, 2007 4:56 PM

Try nightly baths with LOTS of epsom salt - it's cheap and helps with many skin issues. Worth a shot!

Posted by: Julie at October 12, 2007 11:17 PM

H that's exactly what I was thinking!! I'm guessing the doc didn't prescribe me the anti-viral because he wasn't sure it is shingles.

Julie, I love the salt baths they work awesome.

As it turns out I think I'm already getting better.

Thanks guys!

Posted by: hopefulloser at October 13, 2007 12:29 PM

I had to be on prednisone for a year and I was able to avoid weight gain.. it wasn't fun... no sodium (that meant no cola, no cured meat, no celery, etc). but, it can be done. I really truly hope you can avoid it..but if you have to... know that it can be done. Good luck. Glad the baths are working!

Posted by: Sarah at October 14, 2007 4:18 PM

Honey, let me tell you this...if you are not in major pain where the rash is then it's not Shingles...I wouldn't wish shingles on my worst enemy...I had it at a very young age...around 5 and let me tell you it hurt so bad that I didn't want anyone touching me nor did I want clothes on...I would fight my mom because I wanted to go around with no clothes on except undies because my front side and sides and back side hurt so incredibly bad....I would get a second opinion....

Posted by: donna at October 15, 2007 8:54 AM

You sound like me. I always wait in hope I get better on my own.

Posted by: Rachel B. at October 16, 2007 6:03 PM

hi, just being inspired by your site (i googled lose weight! so you know where I need inspiration...) anyways, I used to get shingle outbreaks all the time up until I was 30 (it's been 2 years); I got it behind my knees !ouch! I am anti-drug for this and that and everything else under the sun... I just keep it loosely covered in public (also very contageous) and at home... let 'er breathe! It takes a good couple weeks, but it should subside! caused by stress, likely... take it easy!

Posted by: Aileen at October 22, 2007 8:33 PM

hopefulloser(at)gmail(dot)com

Aileen on Shingles?: "hi, just being inspired by your site (i googled lose weig..."
Rachel B. on Shingles?: "You sound like me. I always wait in hope I get better on..."
donna on Shingles?: "Honey, let me tell you this...if you are not in major pai..."
Sarah on Shingles?: "I had to be on prednisone for a year and I was able to av..."

May 2008

Designed by Me
Powered by
Movable Type 3.31
Syndicate this site (XML)