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?

[celerystick007]

Check this out, all you other younger people who are suffering from this stuff too.  The government messed us up by giving the decade below us Chicken Pox vaccine and now our immune systems are ill equipped to defend us against the shingles virus:
http://www.macleans.ca/society/health/generation-at-risk/

[celerystick007]

I am 31, and I had my second outbreak in 4 months recently, while I was dealing with a very painful tailbone injury.  Similarly to the body pain/trauma issues you mentioned.

[celerystick007]

Hi!
I began suffering random vertigo spells about 8 months ago.  Sudden onset dizziness, felt like the whole world was moving and that I would fall, with residual nausea for a couple hours.  Very scary, but I never got in for an MRI.  I ended up coming to the conclusion that they were stress-related, but did not happen during high-stress moments, but perhaps an after-shock effect? This happened repeatedly and randomly for about 4 months.
Then, 4 months ago, I broke out in Shingles.  I was 30 years old, and other than my stressful job, financial and living situation (actress in traveling theatre productions), I am quite healthy.  It was on my outer upper right thigh, near my butt.  Valtrex helped it go away, even though I'd already had it a month before it was diagnosed.
then, a couple weeks ago, I got Shingles again! 3 months later.  Again, I could only think of blaming stress as a possible factor... I got on Valtrex sooner this time, and covered it with a bandaid.  It seems to be almost gone again.
...I never thought that perhaps the vertigo and the shingles could be related, until I saw your post about the dizziness!  You may be on to something.
While it doesn't really help the situation, it feels somewhat relieving to know someone else out there shares a similar experience.

[Lulu153]

I have had at least one outbreak a year ever since the first, in 2002, when I was 39 and pregnant. I know get valtrax at the first sign. Last year I got the vaccination and was outbreak free for 13 months, but here we go again. I'm otherwise healthy and the only thing particularly stressful is reoccurring shingles.

[DebFromKY]

I've experienced recurring shingles since my 20s - I'm now 50. The frequency varies, but it's always in one of two places (right rib cage or forehead - ans that is why I'll *always* have bangs!  :)  My doctor told me that you can't get shingles more than once - which is why he is no longer my doctor! I have found that Abreva (topical ointment used for cold sores) knocks it out fast! As soon as I feel that first itchy tingle, I know another outbreak is on its way. I slather the area with Abreva, and most of the time I can catch it before the first blister forms. I use it multiple times a day until the danger has passed. It's a little expensive, but it doesn't take much at all. I don't know if it will work for others, but I wanted to share in the hope it will help someone!

[YangDzom]

How many times per day do you apply abreva when you feel it coming on

[Concerned_K]

Wow... They just keep pumping you full of valtrex and it does nothing but worsen your condition it seems. I'd find a new doctor. That vaccine is intended for people of at least 50 years of age or older. They do not have a proper vaccination that has proven to be significantly effective in the prevention and or treatment of shingles in younger adults, from what articles I have read. And why would they keep administering it... Valtrex is supposed to be a one-time vaccination. Recurrent shingles as they are referring to it is obviously a mutated strand of the virus which they have no idea how to treat as of yet. These asshats who diagnose and vaccinate you weren't even aware that shingles has the potential to become frequently recurrent and/or affect adults under the age of 50 more often than assumed until numerous people were reporting similar symptoms.