shingles without a rash

[emtcc]

Is it possible to be diagnosed with shingles without having an external rash?  The pain is on my left side only in a band near my waist line.  The pain is horrific - even to the touch.  All symptoms seem to be consistent with shingles but after 2 weeks of this, there is no rash.  Narcotics, vicodin and darvocet have helped some but not completely.

[emtcc]

I guess I should expound a little more - the symptoms have been going on for more than a month and getting progressively worse.  My doctor has suggested shingles but is baffled that there is no rash and is hesitant to put me on antivirals.

[carrick]

12/2/05

I just got diagnosed with zoster sin herpete. Basically, shingles without a rash. It does exist. Please check some of
sites on the Internet. I was amazed at how many sites there
were.  I have had to do my own research. Hope your health
imporves. Carrick

[Levis' Mom]

I have an 18 y/o daughter that breaks out in rashless shingles during every finals time at school.  Any high stress period can put her into a case of shingles.  Sometimes she gets the rash and it's a long bout, but USUALLY when the rash doesn't show up the symptoms are shorter term.  I've had 3 different doctors diagnose the rashless shingles over the years, so I guess that's what it really is.  Good Luck!

[claramcf]

have been in severe pain 5 weeks, been to e.r. 2 times both times diagnosed shingles but no real rash,dr. sent me to muscle,bone,joint center they gave me every test there is, or so they say, on 2/2/06 the doctor threw his hands up and said theres nothing more could be done,since then i have been in deep depression,mainly in bed, cry alot, its like no one believes me,they say i have some neve damage on the left side where the pain is but not enough to be this severe,they now rule out shingles because they say it has to have a rash,
I have has the fever, chills. fatigue,I basically can not do aqnything and noone can help
hopeless in Philadelphia,PA
claramcf

[diggin]

Yes this is exactly what I have after having the zoster type one year ago , it started very very weak and 1 month later it was unbearable pain in my right hip area with no rash . I know it is related to shingles because it has moved from my back to my hip and the doctors cannot figgure it out but I convinced them to give me acyclovir and it did help. I still have pain and my skin is numb where the pain is.

[Bis1422]

My mother went through a horrific case of shingles without a rash this July 07.  She is a healthy 61 year old woman who got the shingles vaccine Spring 07.  Its started out as a pain under her shouler blade.  She thought she pulled a muscle.  The pain got progressively worse (especially when she moved around) and she ended up in the ER thinking she was having a heart attack.  The doctors had no idea what was causing the pain (all tests, xrays etc. turned up negative).  Ironically, my 36 year old husband had just had a case of shingles with a rash in May and the intensity of the pain got me thinking that it seemed similar.  She had all the symptoms except for the rash (a band of pain that wrapped under her arm from her back, it was horrible when she moved and nothing helped).  Thankfully, her Dr. listened to what we thought it was (even though she did not have the classic rash) and put my mother on anit-virals.  She started getting better in 24 hours.  She ocassionally has strange sensations in that area, but is fully recovered.  It did take a good 4 weeks for her to get her energy back.  I contacted Merck to let them know that they may want to start looking into the vaccine causing less "severe" (althought the pain was severe) cases of shingles without the rash.  Some doctors will not think out of the box and if every classic symptom is not present they won't buy into the diagnosis.  I am convinced that more of these cases will start popping up because of the vaccine.  People think because they have had the vaccine that they will not get shingles, but that is far from the truth.  I hope people don't languish with this horrible illness because the anti-virals do help.  

[DAG48]

Thank you all so much for posting this information on the web about shingles. I have been having pain and sensitivity on one side of my body and I knew if I went the doctor without having an idea about what is wrong that it would cost me a small fortune. I think I have a pretty good immune system but it needs help to fight his off. I only pray that I am not left with some of the residual pain that is sometimes a side effect of this virus. This is so nice to be able to read what everyone says and benefit from it. Peace and wellness to all of you who have suffered.

[carol1960]

I think that I had shingles about 6 months ago. I kept having a severe pain on my right side and it wrapped around to my back.  I knew it wasn't my gallbladder because I don't have one.  I couldn't stand clothes touching my body.  Went to 2 different doctors and they did all sorts of blood tests and even a CT scan with dye.  Nothing showed up and they told me I didn't have shingles because I didn't have a rash.  Now the pain is not so intense but I have weird sensation on my right side, can't explain it, sometimes it just feels like something is not right.  Does this sound familiar to anyone else????

[Karenl1960]

I have something odd going on too. Haven't gone to the doc coz I did not have a rash.  Lots of stress this April, then suddenly my right side starts itching, burning and hurting.  Now six weeks later I have numbness.  But no rash.  I have the worst pain in the am, and can barely get out of bed.  Once I get moving I'm better.  But by eve I'm itchy and numb and in pain.  If you get any help let me know.  I hate going to the doc to hear it is in my head.  But I think I have shingles with no rash. Is there a test.
karen1960

[Beckoz]

Is it possible for a ten year old to have shingles without a rash??? He has been unwell for nearly a month now, but has had extremely sore neck front and back,chest and shoulders for about 2weeks. We have had two lots of blood tests all coming back normal. He is in excruiating pain mainly in the evening, he cant even stand water falling on his neck when having a shower and he definately wont let me touch it. He cries himself to sleep because he is in so much pain...painkillers arent even working. The doctors havent even brought shingles into the equation, but when I asked them, they say it is highly unlikely. I'm feeling like they think I'm making it all up...in my head or my sons head. Can I request a specific test to been done to either confirm or rule out shingles. I feel so helpless;(

[mokarena]

I have had the "flu" for over 2 1/2 weeks. I went to see a Dr., but of course there was nothing they culd do for me. The "flu" is getting progressively worse. Now I have pain on one side of my body- the right side, mostly in my hip area and in the rib area underneath my armpit. Every now and then I get chills and pain and feel cold. I am in tears as I write this because if I went to see the Dr. again, there would be nothing they could do, and I am in pain and weak and I have 3 young children to take care of. Thank you for all the information everyone wrote. It was really helpful.
Karena Lee

[JEC114]

I have been having terrible pain on my left side around my waist area.  I can't stand to have clothes on that area.  I get stabbing pain and a constant deep shooting pain all around the area.  I have been to the ER 4 times this past week and the doctor's are not listening to me.  Because I have no rash, they are ruling out shingles, but I think I have them.  I have had lots of stress lately and I believe it has come from that.  Has anyone been diagnosed with shingles that didn't have a rash and if so, what did you get to help the pain.  Nothing I have is working.

Janet C.

[witchy57]

I too have had the same pain without the rash on my upper rib area.  I am going through a lot of tests as Physician's do not seem to be educated enough on this type of out break.   My pain has be going on since Oct of 2007, I do believe I have PHN but cannot get the Doctors to understand how much pain I am in. There seems to be no test's they can do so its a process of elimination.  My primary care Physician does try and does care but is at lost so he referred me to a pain management physician from a very large hospital in Boston,  Mass General to be exact.  He is aware of Shingles without a rash but because I could touch my ribs, he does not believe its PHN.  He suggested to my primary care that I get a cat scan of my abdominal  area and perhaps go to a gastric specialist.  By the way absolutely disagreed with me that its impossible to get Shingles without a rash.  I plan on printing information about this and mailing to him.

[ditq1201]

I had the Zostavax late Apr and then 'flu' for 2 wks starting about July 9 - I fully intend to contact Merck *AND* the CDC of FDA because no manufacturer is going to admit to any problems with their vaccine unless the Govt. steps in.....seeing someone else (Biz 1422) above mention having had the vaccine prior to a non-rash shingles virus diagnosis by a dr.  made me perk up and notice!

I had been under a lot of workload stress at work prior to this 'flu.'  

[Mandy10]

hello everyone, my sympathy goes out to anyone having this pain. It is a pain I wish on no one. For two weeks I have had severe pain in my upper right chest area, it felt like someone took a sledgehammer to my ribs. I had an upper resp infection and was told the pain was coming from a torn muscle in my chest from the coughing. It was horrible and I wasSo  sent home with allergy medication, and two inhalers, and cough medicine with codine. Still the pain grew worse, a few laters later my husband found me passed out in our hallway and I was taken to the ER. They did a chest x-ray and lab work and found nothing wrong , and my incident was considered a mystery, and the dr had no explanation as to what may have happened. So I was sent home. The following evening I was in bed sobbing in pain. The pain felt like I had swimmer cramps in the side but multiply that by like 10. I told my husband something was seriously wrong. So again we go to the hospital on base thinking maybe they could figure it out, at first they said shingles, but then said no cause there was no rash present. They thought it was my gallbladder, but to be on the safe side they did a chest x-ray, came back normal, did an ultrasound, that to came back normal,the doc said she had no idea what could be causeing the pain, so she went ahead and had the nurse give me a small dose of morphine, and for the first time in a week  , I felt goooooood. pain free. She sends me home with mobic some anti-inflammatory medication, and zantac , and listed the condition as " heartburn". After I get home, once the morphine wore off, I was again in pain, with chills, dizziness, and nausea, but still no rash. Finally lastnight I couldnt take the pain anymore and went to the hospital. The doc took blood in order to check for lung blood clots , etc....all lab tests came back normal. But....when he touched my skin it just burned and hurt so bad. He said i had " shingles" without a rash. He sent me home with valtrex, and vicodin for pain. The vicodin works just great, however my lips have been tinglely, and my face feels like I have a sunburn, but still no rash. I have been under alot of stress as my husband is away for a six month deployment, and our daughter is in a residential treatment center getting psychiatric care, my cousin came to stay with us after my uncle passed away, it is just not fun . I hope this has helped someone. Everyone else I hope you start to feel better soon.

[mama2babies]

I have just begun a round of famcyclovir for shingles without a rash. It began as a neuralgia type pain in a four inch band from my spine around to my belly button on the right side. I can push on the area and it does not hurt, but the lightest touch across it is excruciating. The shower hurts the area badly as well. I'm feeling slightly better after two days on the antiviral. I had shingles with a rash three years ago. I am a healthy 38 year old and my question is about how common it is for shingles to reoccur in healthy adults.

[gardenqueen57]

I have had this extremly painful area on my right side at my lower rib around my back and also on the rear right hip area. So painful and wearing clothes was the worst. thought I had shingles, but no rash,  just very painful. didn't relize how much clothes rub on your skin. I have been having laser treatments from my chiropractor and they seem to be helping. Also taking 2000mg vit C 4x a day and Natrual B along with a good natural multiple vitamin. Resting after work as much as possible. The front area has been very ichy and then painful, the iching just started on the 3rd week. The back area is much better. Hoping it dosen't last much longer. Also I felt like I was coming down with something for about a week before the pain started. Good luck to everyone. Frustrating at times.

[sensualwordz]

wow you folks sure helped me look at whats going on with me
I have always had a funny little spot on my right side  under my rib cage. it itched but when i scrathed it  it never seemed to be the spot where the itch was coming from. Then i began getting severe pain in the back which would move to the front. Putting pressure on them relieved it temporarily.That pain slowely left but left areas ranging from my back to my front right side under the rib cage. that felt like sandpaper on an open wound.   Yet touching it directly does not hurt but my clothing hurts, a shower hurts. things like that. At times I experience a shooting pain, that I can only describe as electrical but radiating as if it were like a fireworks display..
anyone with any insight  NO RASH

I have no medical insurance and am broke right now
have gone twice to doc  first time when it was just pain in ribs he thought it was inflamation (inflammation) of the ribs and for a month i took an antiinflamitory drug    then he tested my urine to rule out kidney   now i am supposed to go for blood work, but have to wait tilll I can save a bit more money

[tenai98]

I just got back from the emergency dept suffering from pain and burning sensation on left side. The doc diagnosed "shingles" even tho there is no rash.  He prescribe anti viral and I'm off work until futher notice.  So yes shingles does happen without a rash.

[SmokeyShelly]

My daughter had shingles with a rash at age 10.  Now she is 17 and she came to me today complaining about her back hurting.  After questioning her, I beleive it's back with no rash right now.  I'm going to call the doctor in the morning to see what he thinks.

[Swaracaroline]

We live in Montreal, Canada and my husband, at 27 years od has shingles with no rash. He has had Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy to treat Hodgkins Lymphoma this summer though as so no surprise to have shingles now. He has incredible pain on the top of his head and now starting to go down his neck. There are a few little 'pimple like' bumps on his head, but other than that, no rash yet. He is been taking VALTREX now for a week and now taking LYRICA for pain, but the Dr. said it would take weeks for the LYRICA to kick in...he has stabbing pain every 3-5 seconds with no pain meds and then with the pain meds, pain every 3 mintues instead...make it go away....

[achingback]

Could someone suggest the medical specialty to have look at my neck and shoulder?  I have had burning, pain - both shooting/gripping & constant for almost two months.  My primary care doctor gave me a course of anit-viral meds and pain meds for 10 days - then one refill of the pain meds for 3 days.  I had a faint rash but was sure this was shingles.  I have shingles in the same area with an obvious rash twice before.  She did not run a test.  Said since I didn't come in within 72 hours of onset the anti-viral meds probably wouldn't help but to try them anyway.  I have tried numerous otc meds & creams but they don't help.  I just read a website that said anticonvulsants help with post shingles pain.  Has anyone tried that?  The pain is excruciating and keeps me awake.  Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[chezza1968]

hi yes i have all these symptoms but no rash.. my doctor told me if i got the rash it was shingles...4 days on and i still have no rash but the pain is terrible and i'm so tired..
he did give me prescription for the anti-viruals but i'm not sure if to take them or not as he said take them when the rash appears...
thank you everyone

[crazyliblady]

You could also look at eczema.  I had had eczema for years without even realizing I had it.  I just thought I had dry skin.  Then, I started to get an intensely sore area in the eyelid area above my eye.  It did itch a little, but most of all, it hurt a lot.  It was so sore I had to be conscious that I did not touch it when washing my face.  On my back, I had an even worse case.  For temporary relief, I got a prescription for a steroid (very small tube and I used very little), but I also went to my chiropractor who does acupuncture.  It turns out it was some response of my immune system to something.  In one session of acupuncture, she managed to correct the problem.  I suppose I could still develop an occasional rash, but I have not had anything serious in about a year.

[Silverlilly]

I'm 32, and have had the exact same symptoms for over three weeks - a burning sensation on the right side of my stomach, just below my ribs.  It feels similar to a bad sunburn - it is extremely irritating when my shirt rubs against the area when I walk or move.  No rash, or other visible symptoms.  I'm booking an appointment with the doctor this week, and expect to be prescribed antivirals - I have no idea what else could cause such strange "pain" on one side only.  I've also been extremely fatigued and feeling generally run-down.  It all seems to fit.

[itstonyb]

I had Shingles without a Rash in 1992 and dosed up on L-Lysine. Got rid of it after 4 weeks.
I now have it again some 16 years later and still no rash. Am taking L-Lysine tablets and Cod Liver Oil tablets. Hopefully will go soon as the pain is horrible.

[tweet1]

I have had excrutiating pain on the left side of my face extending to the back midline of the skull on and off for about 4 years.  Not one doctor could figure out what was causing it.  I was starting to think I would just have to forget about doctors and put up with this pain.  I saw a new doctor today and he said he believes it is shingles  (even though I don't have a rash) affecting the cranial nerves.  He's the first doctor that didn't look at me like I was crazy.  He put me on antiviral and prednisone.  Hopefully this will work and I won't feel like I'm losing my mind any more.

[LeftCoastChick]

The rash usually starts about 4 days after feeling really ill with the flu. It usually only comes up in adults who are malnourished or comprimised immune systems. I had it when I was twenty. The rash was excrutiating, with the blisters causes a shooting pain in my spine, my doctor gave me a med they use fo MS patients, knocked me right out, but it worked. I was put in quarantine as well, it's highly contagious to someone who hasn't had the chicken pox. I know they have anti virals that work that are out now, but basically you just have to treat the symptoms. I had blisters around my neck, chest and stomach, even in my ears and mouth. I ended up with temporary Bell's Palsy. I couldn't feel part of my face at all. It took me 2 months to get over it, I had no appetite and lost a bunch of weight (not complaining)

The folks that don't have a rash, have lab tests been done for auto immune issues? I've never heard of shingles without some rashing or blisters.  I had a mild bout about 5 yrs back, only a few blisters, so not full blown. I thought you could only get it once! grrr

[TheOnlyMannequin]

In 2007, I was diagnosed with "a textbook case" of shingles without a rash.  I'd endured two days of burning pain in my right ear, neck, jaw, shoulder, which sometimes radiated into my back.  Right side facial paralysis was progressive.  I developed an awful taste in my mouth.  My hearing was getting worse in that ear..sounds were distorted and amplified and caused pain.  I thought I had a very bad ear infection.  I'd thought I'd slept in a bad position and had a stiff neck.  (Leading up to this episode, I'd been under a terrible amount of stress for weeks...very tired...had some cold/flu like symptoms, including loose bowel movements. )  I went to the emergency room at 2 AM because I couldnt tolerate the worsening pain and the facial paralysis had me frightened.  

Doc checked for an ear infection and there was none.  Based on all the symptoms and tests he was very confident in his diagnosis.  He prescribed Valtex and prednisone.  I progressively regained total facial control within two weeks.  Sound distortion took a little longer to completely disappear...some loud or high tones caused shooting pain for a while.

Yesterday, a Sunday, I was back in the ER again.  Same set of overwhelming stressful circumstances that confronted me back in 2007 led up to the same symptoms presenting themselves.  Additionally, I'd had cold/flu like symptoms including the loose bowel movements...fatique/exhaustion/distress...twinges in back, shoulder, and neck, jaw...and just hoped that I'd "slept the wrong way" on my neck or something.  This time, for more than a week, I was taking zinc and echinacea supplements and some Airborne occasionally, as so many co-workers were ill with colds/bronchitis/even pneumonia!  Sunday morning, the pain in the shoulder and neck were pretty bad.  There was some throbbing/burning in the ear.  Pains were getting progressively worse.  I brushed my teeth and as I rinsed, I realized my mouth was pulling to one side a bit.  The paralysis got progressively worse as the day went on.  This seemed like a repeat of the 2007 episode...but this time, the left side of my face was afflicted.

I recalled one strange...or maybe completely unrelated item...early Saturday, I had a pain on my right inner arm...at the elbow crease.  I rolled up my sleeve and noticed a small blister.  Was it a bite?  A pimple?  No, it looked like a tiny blister with some redness around it and running my finger across it was really painful for such a tiny thing.  I popped it and clear fluid came out.  It scabbed over.  There was no other blisters anywhere.

Once again, I was prescribed Valtex and prednisone.  I am also going to try some Ibuprofen and perhaps some homeopathic remedies like Acai juice for anti-inflammatory properties.  (I am concerned with the facial paralysis.)

SInce the 2007 event, I looked online for info on shingles without a rash.  I found some info back then...not much...and some interesting information on my ear problem...Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome.  Again, I had no rash...and what looked like Bells-Palsy...but was more than just that.

I am looking forward to a complete recovery again...just need to find a way to de-stress a lot better!

I'd like to hear from anyone who's had the addtional ear problem with facial paralysis...

Thanks for listening!
TheOnlyMannequin

[donsept]

I have had back pain on my left side with a rash with tiny bumps,itchy,burning,numb feeling and it drives me crazy,its very annoying.And everytime I have this it seems mt stomach acts up to.constant belching.I also have a dark patch of skin were this is happening.I have this most of the time about 4years now.It seem when I am streesed it happens more.My doctor said it was shingles when I first went to him,but now he said when I went to him that they only come out one time.Does any one have this problem,too many years,I woory its something serious.Anyone with an answer.
Thank you
desperate

[herman94]

I had shingles with a rash around 3 years ago. That was my first time and I was not familiar with the symptoms. I had chills on one side of the body for a few days and then the rash appeared and the associated burning pain under the skin. Now around a month back, I started getting the chills and burning pain again so I went to my doctor and asked for Valtrex. There was no rash. He gave me a prescription and I took it for 2 weeks. There are still days when I feel significant burning pain. But no rash has appeared. I had a small surgery and was stressed out going into it. May be that triggered the virus. I am hoping that it will get better now that I have already gotten my surgery done and am recovering.

I came on this forum wondering if it's possible to have shingles pain without a rash and sounds like it is!

health and happiness to all.

[mfomfo]

I have recently had pains that were sharp, like someone sticking hot needles in my skin along the rib and into my breast on the right. This is where I had breast cancer and surgery 3 years ago. The pain was triggered by movement, and the more often it was triggered, the worse it got. So I moved very very carefully. I got on Famciclovir (antiviral med) after 4 days. 8 days later it is definitely better. My range of motion is improved and the pain is almost gone. I never got a rash. One website said the pain of shingles can show up days and even weeks before a rash. My guess is that the antiviral meds kept it from erupting. I take the pills for 2 more days. If I still have some pain left I'll take some herbs or a homeopathic remedy.  Yesterday I had an acupuncture treatment from a Classical Five-Element acupuncturist and that helped a lot!! It boosted my spirits, relaxed my body and I left feeling healthier and in less pain. I feel much much better today.

[Pritama]

Thank you for this information. I have had symptoms of rashless shingles show up I am now in the midst of a new bout.  I feel achy, freezing cold,headachey,  I need to cry at least once a day.  The burning sensation around my belly feels like my skin has been sandpapered down to cause a strong sensitivity.  Once I had just one blister show up on my palm but so far nothing which is good. I am going for an accupuncture treatment and I am picking up a prescription of anti viral medication.  Sometimes it feels like there is too much current or energy running through my system that's why I am hoping accupuncture will help.

[soapflakes]

Thank you all so much for your rashless,shingles stories!!  I thought
I was going crazy, or at least my doctors thought I was. I too had
the initial diagnosis of diverticulitis. I was put on antibiotics with no
help. After going to the E.R. with severe pain in my left side into
my abdomen, the G.I. surgeon told me I most likely had shingles.
My doctor put me on an anti-viral and said call when I get the rash.
(NO RASH after 2 weeks, just pain) slightly better after the anti-
viral was prescribed. But, I can deal with all of this since I read your
stories. Thank you all so much.

[Jackie48]

I cannot believe their are  so many of you with shingles without the rash.
I think my family thought I was nuts.  I woke up on January 15th 2009
with severe back pain on the left side.  I was put through a few test before
they, meaning my Gastro Dr. decided to take out my Gallbladder.
They sent me home three days later still in pain but softed some by
Vicodin.  Two days later the severe pain had returned.  They then sent me
to a Neurologist, who has be my saving grace.  I still had to go through
spinal taps and lots of other tests to get to the shingles.  I still have severe
pain though.   I am alot of nerve medication and pain pills, it helps some
but you still cannot touch my back in that area at all.

[stubby226]

I was diagnosed with shingles on my rght lower leg about 3 months ago.  I also was diagnosed approx 2 months ago with encephalitis.  I was hospitalized for 18 days due to some delirum that made me non functional.  I also was dx with neuropathy about 4 months ago.  (By the time I do my introductory people will shy away from me.) WEith numbness in feet radiating to my knees blaterally'  I have Hep C which has not responded t treatment.  Approx 4 months ago I also was told I was HIV positive.  Before jumping to conclusions I am a nurse and was expsed to the last 2 diseases via a needle stick after drawing blood from a client that was positive for both.  Now that I have given the low down this is my question.  Does anyone know what could be cusing me to loose my balance and fall.  My R leg seems to just turn to mush causing me to fall.  Alot of bruises, a 4 wheeled walker and limited activies I am surviving but it seems to be getting worse.  Yes I a in physical therapy and have pending appts with the neurologist. Just yesterday I have started getting numbness in that leg around the knee.  It is radiating up from my foot.  It is just my knee and 3inches on either side.
I have been tld to much info causes confusion so will close and wait for possible answers or suggestions.  Thank you

[ducatimike]

About 2 weeks ago I started having pain on my right side just under my ribs.  It was very severe at times,  Difficult to get comfortable sitting or laying down or standing.  A hypersensitivity spread around to my back.  Very sensitive to touch or clothes.   I have one small lesion just below my right rib that I became aware of when the pain started.  It is very sore to the touch but also itches but scratching it doesnt help.  Like it is numb and hurts at the same time.  Went through a bunch of tests and ruled out gall bladder or other digestive disorders.  The doc diagnosed me with shingles and put me on anti viral (Zovirax) and an anti depressant (Nortriptyline) which is used to treat nerve pain.  Been on the medication about 5 days and tonight is the first night where the pain has maybe diminished 10%.  I was going nuts this last week as I couldnt sleep or get comfortable.  I am hoping I will get better soon.  Thanks to everyone who posted and I hope you all get over or have gotten over this miserable disease.
Mike

[bieny]

Thank-you for the reports.  I have read about myself and glad I'm on the Acyclovir.  I went to the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack.  After all the tests confirmed everything was fine and I was medicated and feeling out of it the Dr. said I may be coming down with shingles.  I went to our family Dr. the very next day and he prescribed the medicine and said come back if I broke out in a rash.  The pain is on the right side under my rib cage.  Touching does not hurt but sometimes there is a shooting pain like an electrical shock.
No rash has developed and the medicine will be gone tomorrow.  I take a nap but otherwise feel fine with just that once in while sharp pain.  I am 62 and will get the shot in 2 years!

[janq]

My shingles started with an earache.  Had a small rash area next to my lip (about half an inch by 3/4 of an inch--it never really looked much like a rash, only the blisters formed after a few days.) Doctor recognized the symptoms immediately and put me on Valtrex and Prednisone) Couldn't take the combo and wound up dehydrated from nausea/vomitting) Stopped the prednisone and continued the Valtrex.  Still have burning and numbness (tongue and lip).  But am on Gabapentin 900mg daily to help relieve it; but it isn't even close to being 75%.  This is now 19 months since start.  Wishing you well and good luck getting diagnosed correctly.

[kellykellz09]

I am 20 years old and i have had chicken pox when i was 5. Last month i broke out with a whelp like rash on my back and went to see my dr. He prescribe some antiviral meds to take for 6 days. Its now 4 weeks later and my breast are swollen, nipples burn, feels like a fist is imprinted on my back, and can not lift my arms over my head... Someone please help me.... Should i go to the er or what???

[alice914]

I am 56 yr. old female who has a reoccurance of rashless Shingles.  I had them 5 yrs. ago and went to the ER in NYC and they diagosed me with Shingles.  Now I recently felt the same pain on my left side under my rib cages that went around to my back, it spread to my left breast and left sholder blade.  I went to an urgent care unit in Texas and they put me on Valtrex and increased my Lyrica to twice a day.  This is day 3 and I still have the pain but no rash.  Hopefully this will subside in the next few days so I can return to work.  I was lucky that both doctors knew what this was and did not go through the test some of you have experienced.  

[susieque313]

In Feb 2008 I started feeling very fatigued, really dragging, then pains, hard, stabbing, pressing pains,  in the heart area and left arm; it felt like pain was radiating into back. Left side of back hurt, sore.  I went to the ER, concerned I was having a heart attack. They did an ECG and tests and determined I was not having a heart attack.  I told them maybe I had pulled a muscle in my back when I carried a large carrier cage with my cat in it up and down the stairs several times and the docs agreed, gave me some Vicodin and sent me home.  The very next day I had an itch on my left side of back (which had been itching for some months before pain started).  When I felt back there it felt like a blister so I had my hubby check it out and sure enough there were about four blisters there.  Naturally this happened on the weekend so I was lucky that the blisters were still there on Monday when I went to my doctor and she said it was shingles - and when I described a similar episode in the '80 on my right side she said it,too, was probably shingles.  Now, for about two weeks I've felt that it might be coming back on the right side.  The same sequence of events is happening: fatigue, dragging; today there is pain in my body on the right side (just like it felt when I went to ER with pain on my left side).  And my back has been itching more and more on the right side.  Oh, and two weeks ago I felt a stinging itch in my right midrif (exact same spot as erupted in the '80s episode).  There was a tiny blister there. My advice is, if you think you may have shingles, have someone check out your back for you as there may not be pain in that specific area.  What I wonder is: Being this is a virus that stays in the body how does one consider an episode as being a fresh outbreak or post-herpetic pain? And is antiviral meds recommended in either case?

[tsolive]

At first I thought I had been bitten by a brown recluse spider.  I found a round area about the size of a half dollar behind my ear that was red with blisters.  My first symptom was a stiff, swollen neck.  I was actually relieved when the doctor said he thought it was shingles.  He prescribed two types of antibiotics and a pain reliever.  The outbreak never got any bigger on the outside, but I have been itching all over my entire body.  I don't know that this isn't my mind messing with me, but I've been taking benedril (sp?) and it seems to help.  I got the flu feeling the third day..chills but no fever, nausea,  tired, slept most of the time.  Day 4. as I write this, I'm less tired, the sore is drying up, but still itchy. I am hoping mine was an extremely mild case and I'm getting over it now.  Good luck to everyone else.

[RRYAN23]

I too have suffered from rashless shingles for two decades now with re-occurrences during times of stress both physical and work-wise, and am having a long outbreak as I write. I too have consulted with skeptical doctors, and turned to rest and Advil as my cure. Are there any doctors or alternative medicine practitioners reading who can talk to the progression of this ailment over time or ways to permanently cure this.

[TheOnlyMannequin]

My last (and only other) post was 01-12-09.  While the first bout of facial paralysis in 2007 improved 100% within a couple of weeks...the right side of my face came back to normal....this 2009 episode of zoster sine herpete with ramsay hunt hit me harder.  It has taken weeks and then months for my face to improve.  AT first, I looked like I'd had a stroke.  Ten months later, the left side of my face is still weaker.  Thankfully, I can close my eye which tears sometimes.  I also find it more difficult to get my contact lens in this eye.  Sometimes that eye appears a bit "squinty" and that side of my face and smile appear a bit higher than the normal right side!  It seems like my muscles and nerves are learning how to work together again.  My speech and ability to eat and drink is still affected, but is much improved.  I feel changes and twinges daily...it's a painfully slow process...but I am still hoping for total improvement and recovery.

Again, I'd really like to hear from anyone who's had the Ramsay Hunt/Bells Palsy problem...anyone who's had this and shingles without the rash more than once.

Thanks!
TheOnlyMannequin

[MarvGizmo]

A related discussion, Shingles without Rash PHN Gabapentin is Great! was started.

[Julie35]

A related discussion, Rashkess Shingles was started.

[grownmencry]

Symptoms that surfaced for myself (37yr old, no other health issues)

1)Super sensitivity in band like are that ran from front around to spine at back. Sensitivity to the slightest of touches.  ie: a water droplet from the shower running across this band.

2) Heard pressure to band produced no pain

Pain best described as
1)Terribly bruised feeling as if someone had take a bat to you.
2)Constant wind/sun burnt feeling
3)Occasional tingly on side and back as if you just experience something scary and had the cold chills running down your spine.


I have no rash evident, and no blisters.  After the first day of the supersensitivity, I googled and came up with probability of Shingles.  Dr. office next day and he felt shingles was the correct diagnosis inspite of lack for rash/blisters.

Dr. gave a prescription for Valtrex but suggested I wait till rash appears. I did not agree with this approach and so queried a dr. who specialized in this at Mayo.

My thinking was this:  If the pain is a manifestation of the re-activation of the virus and that the virus, then why not "zap" it now?

My query was answered in agreement.  Treat right away.  Don't wait for rash to appear because it may not!

I am on day 4 of pills.  Don't like wearing shirt due to pain and it seems to scare the little kids in the mall when I take it off (just kidding)

Thanks for all other posts.