Herpes/shingles/bell's palsy

[vanessalock]

I have been all over internet trying to find similar situation to mine with no luck. I don't have insurance and with 3 kids in high school, I can't afford Dr. appt. Ok, I am 41, have had tremendous amount of stress this yr which is likely cause for my problems, I think. I have had recurring herpes/shingles (?) about the size of a half dollar on the back side of my right thigh (at bottom of thigh muscle)for about 20 yrs. Sometimes yearly, sometimes less often. Typically comes in May after first "lay out in sun" session. But also comes in times of stress. In 1997, when I was going thru bad divorce, I had 2-3 lines of blisters about 4-5 inches long on front of both my legs around the knees. A clinic doctor told me she did not think it was herpes but it looked, felt and acted the same way as the recurring stuff on back of my leg. Was agonizing. I couldn't let anything touch me for weeks- not covers, pants, etc. This May, after a SERIOUS family tragedy, I woke up with Bell's Palsy on left side of face. From emergency room,  I took the acyclovir & prednisone. Caught it early so no shingles. I have 95% of my facial movement back now. In late July, I had a feeling like I get on my leg, on my vagina (just barely inside on right side) in a very small place (like maybe 1-3 blisters). Took zovirax again. About a week and a half ago, I had severe pain in my right arm and shoulder that progressed daily to almost unbearable for about four days and then herpes/shingles developed on back of arm at shoulder. I started on zovirax (my mom's medicine for fever blisters that I, coincidentally, have never had) early so it didn't develop as much as it would have but it looks like it would have covered my entire shoulder, shoulder blade and top outside half of right arm. Ok, so I understand that this usually happens on one side of body and everything has been on my right, except for the 1997 episode on both legs and the bell's palsy on the left. Are they related? I also understand that it typically doesn't recur but the problem on the back of my leg has, many times. Any advice? Or ideas of whether this is shingles or genetal herpes? Or do I possibly have both? Is it likely to recur on my shoulder just like my leg? Is it likely that, as I get older, it'll just get worse and worse? Aaaagh! By the way, if I'm having some low immunity problems, I have no symptoms of it.

Thanks for reading and I really appreciate any help!

Vanessa

[vanessalock]

Thanks Grace, I appreciate it. And wow, thanks for what you do for people on this site!

Vanessa

[gracefromHHP]

This isn't shingles on your thigh. Shingles wouldn't reoccur.

At this point you need a further work up. Sounds like you have hsv2 genitally but confirm it with a blood test. Recurrences mostly on the thigh/leg area can also occur from it. If you test negative on the blood test for hsv2 then consult a dermatologist for further evaluation.

As for your shoulder issues, you'll also need to be seen for that. Sorry but there's only so much an online forum can do and we can't diagnose. I know it ***** when you don't have insurance but unfortunately your issues are starting to need further evaluation.

I hope you find some answers and relief soon.

grace