Shingles

[titi358]

Hi everyone!

I am 23 years old and I have shingles and i realised it 4 days later after consulting a doctor.However he didnt prescribed any anti viral drugs,only antibiotics,calamine lotion and pain killer.The infection has spread from the back to my chest and my breast and it's hurting.It's about 10 days now dat the infection has started.Can i take acyclovir now?and how should i take it?i've been trying to call the doc annd ask him why he didnt prescribe an antiviral drug but he is unreachable.I dnt want to go to that doctor again.

[Psychosomaticism]

I'm sixteen years old. Young, yes, but I have had the shingles.

It started off as a just a pain on the ribs underneath my left boob and when it started to turn into a rash about five days later, I went to my school nurse and explained. She immediately sent me home and that day I went to the doctor. It's rare for someone my age to get Shingles, but I did. And I don't think I could have stood the pain if it wasn't for the codeine. He gave me Acyclovir and I'm glad I took it. I missed two weeks of school  locked away in one room of my house because of the Shingles. The faster you take care of it, the better. Talk to your doctor, as soon as possible.

If you do have the Shingles, be prepared. The pain does go away but it will most likely scar the area where it appeared. Also, that area's nerves wont be as strong and sometimes in the future you'll have sharp pains out of no where in that area. It isn't anything to worry about, it's just the effect of the damaged nerves.

Ten days is a long time. Go before you cause any more damage to your body.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

I understand your concern. Has this been ascertained as a herpetic infection? You are already ten days into the infection. Acyclovir is used to hasten the healing process and to alleviate the symptoms associated with the herpetic skin condition. If this is the case, then I suggest that you inform a physician about taking the medications. You may take the medications however, you need to be closely supervised by your doctor as acyclovir may have side effects considering that you  need to take the medications  several times  a day.

This url may help answer some of your questions:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a681045.html#how

[Blujoywoman]

I am also 23 and I had shingles when I was 19. Its an adult form of the chicken pox and I know it hurts like hell. Unfortunately it will last for a month after you start your meds. You should see another doctor because if in fact you have shingles, it's a virus like the chicken  pox, and antibotics won't do anything. You need a viral med. I was prescribed valtrex. Yes, it's the common herpes mediciation but what most people don't know is that chicken pox and shingles and a form of herpes. Don't worry though it's not an STD. You can get shingles from being in contact with someone with the chicken pox, or in my case  a tramatic experience followed by extreme stress. I wouldn't take ssomething that wasn't prescribed. I would ask the doc about valtrex asap! Don't scratch and no hot baths or shower, it will spread.