??Shingles??

[samncrzy]

Help!
I took my wife to the ER about a month ago because she developed "raised red "bumps" on her left eye, photosensitivity, blurry vision, and pain around the left side of her eye and down the side of her face along with nausea(maybe from pain?). They dx it as a conjunctivitis and put her on antibiotic drops and an oral antibiotic. The "bumps" and reddness subsided, but her vision is still blurry (previously 20/15, now 20/50!) and the pain has been progressively increasing, along with nausea and diarrea, without a fever. We have been to the opthamologist 6 or 7 times, and family doctor on Friday and no one can figure out what is wrong! Last night I had to take her back to the ER because of intense pain, and vomiting. They dx "eye pain", gave her narcotics and set up another appt. with opthamology. No one has even mentioned the possibility of shingles. Is it possible? No rash.  HELP!!!!

[samncrzy]

Thanks for your response! We are still in the process of ruling things out. FMD is treating her for Shingles with Valtrex, and Post Herpatic Neuralgia with Neurontin and Vicodin, but nothing has helped yet!  Haven't considered Lupus at all. Her vit. D, and B12 has been historically low, and she is on supplements for both. Oral vit. D, I give her B12 injections monthly and levels have been normal! Diabetes has been ruled out already.  We will suggest Lupus testing on our next visit on the 12th as we were just there yesterday. New rx for prednisone started this am, also discussed Tri-cyclic antidepressants, and maybe some counciling for pain control and tolerance. Thank you again for your consideration on our problem, and happy new year!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
There is a possibility of Lupus, which should be ruled out by ANA test and the 11 criteria for lupus diagnosis. Also assess the level of Vit D, Vit B12, calcium, potassium, iron, hemoglobin etc. Diabetes too should be ruled out.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[samncrzy]

Now she is having pain in her lt hip and lt knee that she describes as feeling like "glass" in her joints??? What is going on??

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Yes, shingles can be thought of as there is intense pain and it started with raised red bumps. Often a rash is missing. The other possibility is eczema, dermatitis, photo dermatitis, Lyme’s disease, optic neuritis, and corneal abrasion. Strangely even diabetes can cause similar symptoms.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!