Recurrent Shingles

[Louloubell]

I am a young healthy (34yo) female.  I had my first outbreak of shingles when I was 20 years old and would break out about once a year around the same time and in the same general area.  From 2005 to this past December 2007 I was outbreak free, but had the rash and symptoms reoccur in the same area only with more generalized pain in my right thigh versus the normal localized pain on my right hip.  Since that outbreak I have had 2 more outbreaks of shingles the most recent starting today.  I did notice that with Valtrex the last time my symptoms resolved much more quickly.  I'm wondering why I am having such frequent outbreaks and has anyone else encountered this?

[Domag]

I am 39 and have just been diagnosed with 4th bout of shingles, fed up.  I am a nurse so work is stressful and busy at times, so how do I reduce my stress levels and NO I am not leaving my career.  I eat quite healthy but don't have the energy to do too much exercise as I av OA and am now going thru the menopause.  I also av a lot of allergies, so am worried about taking certain medications.  Can anyone give me some serious advice how to try and reduce it recurring and coping with having shingles AGAIN. I empathise with u all, especially when people say u can't have it this frequent.  I av been quite lucky, only 4 times in 3 years and only have rash on shoulder, not on face.

HELP!!

Domag
Nurse

[Domag]

I am 39 and have just been diagnosed with 4th bout of shingles, fed up.  I am a nurse so work is stressful and busy at times, so how do I reduce my stress levels and NO I am not leaving my career.  I eat quite healthy but don't have the energy to do too much exercise as I av OA and am now going thru the menopause.  I also av a lot of allergies, so am worried about taking certain medications.  Can anyone give me some serious advice how to try and reduce it recurring and coping with having shingles AGAIN. I empathise with u all, especially when people say u can't have it this frequent.  I av been quite lucky, only 4 times in 3 years and only have rash on shoulder, not on face.

HELP!!

Domag
Nurse

[maatson]

While it is certain that Zoster does return in some, it is most unlikely to do so in most. Probably what we are looking at here is 'Herpes simplex' in a 'zosteriform' distribution.

[kafair]

Do you have scleroderma in your family?

[justrazorburn]

That doesn't sound right considering all the research on recurrent shingles outbreaks along the same nerve and the new vaccine.

I'm pretty sure a second outbreak is very common.
As well, my doctor says that a zoster pattern on the scalp is almost never hsv1. It's incredibly rare to get hsv1 very far from the mouth.

[maatson]

Zosteriform herpes simplex
smj.sma.org.sg/4902/4902cr9.pdf

This reference should answer you.
Regards.