I have shingles. The severe pain (worst I've ever experienced) started 5 days before the rash started, I was misdiagnosed at my first ER visit. I am 21 days into the rash, and both the rash and the pain have lessened in intensity. When it lets me sleep, the pain usually wakes me at 4:00am. I started a altered and Gabapentin the day after the rash appeared (my 2nd ER visit). My outbreak is along my right rib age, from my spine to the middle of my stomach. This morning, as it was waking me, I scratched at the rash, and before I knew what I was doing, I rubbed my eyes. As soon as I realized this, I shot awake, and am now terrified that I might have just contaminated my eyes! It's still only 5:30am here, too early to call anyone, and I can't find any helpful information on the web. Does anyone know if I've just screwed myself? Please answer if you know ANYTHING!