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.

[nursekish54]

I can't understand why Acyclovir is not available to you in the U.K. It is an anti-viral drug that seems to help. There seems to be no rhyme or reason why some people get the rash or not and some people have more pain than others. We know it's a reactivation of the chicken pox virus and the virus is in the nerve roots of the spine. I'm beginning to wonder if it depends on the immune system as to whether we get a rash or not, severe pain, or recurring episodes of rash and pain. I hope you can get acyclovir to see if it helps you!

[silverfox67]

   Wow!  I am so sorry that Acyclovir is not available to you.  That seems so cruel to me.  (I found it makes me sick, so I can't take it).  I take Apis Mellifica and lemon water with cayenne to help me with the pain.  So far it is helping.
     Lachesis and rhus toxicodendron are also recommended for shingles.

  I hope this information was helpful.
Wishing you the best.

[Ernstuk777]

I am nearly 84 - have HAD metastatic Prostate Cancer (from 2001) and severe AF (from 2005) Got over my cancer 2009 (literally) and last year had 2 Ablations (AVnRT & AF). So I was looking forward to a new life-span ahead. Suffered with Herpes Simplex from late teens and more recently from Zoster - including recurring bouts of shingles over the last 40 years. At first I used to have a mild rash with the shingles bouts - and which lasted actively up to about 6 days (maximum) each time. Then from about 30 years ago, even the rash hasn't appeared. My Shingles tended to take second place to the more serious maladies I was enduring.   But now - at a time I was feeling better every single day since my last Ablation in August 2013 - I have been suddenly blighted with Shingles attacks where the sort of incessant 'ambushing' stabbing pains become difficult to ignore - even though I have a very high pain threshold.
However 2 weeks ago, "The Daddy" of all Shingles attacks suddenly began - seemingly within the region of my Prostate (firstly even making me wonder if there was a recurrence of my Carcinoma) but which moved, first towards the inside of my thigh and finally settling at a place on the femur region - Midway between Hip and knee.
I have tried Gabapentin and Tramadol. Co-Dydramol - as well as 800 mg Ibuprofen (always on a full stomach - due to being on Warfarin)
I have had 5 sleepless nights and completely ruined my sleep pattern.
I am still very active and deeply involved in advising and comforting fellow Cancer sufferers.
I walk a minimum of 3 miles per day and also exercise on my treatmil and Cycle/rowing machine - a further hour every day.
So, I would say that for a man of my age, I am quite fit.
Now this stupid seemingly inexplicable Shingles Syndrome has blighted me; it is even painful at some times during exercise (the soreness of the local skin/tissue/muscle area is very tender)
Acyclovir is available here in the UK - but only people of age 70 OR 79 are eligible. I have asked if I can get vaccinated privately but the Manufacturers told me this was impossible at the moment because the whole production has been directed to the NHS (National Health Service!
So my options seem to be limited and at this stage, I am trying to find out just what the Physiology of this terrible blight is made of.
I will then research the subject (Just as I did for Cancer) and hope I come up with some relief for me - and then - for whoever wants to benefit.
I will never give up!
Ernstuk777

[nursekish54]

I had severe shingles pain around my bra line on my right side only. After a few days of severe pain with no relief I started to get nauseous and vomit. I got very dehydrated and finally went to the E.R. Luckily I had a good Dr. who diagnosed me as having shingles with NO rash. I was treated with 3 liters of I.V. solution for the dehydration, acyclovir, gabapentin, and tramadol for pain. It helped a lot. A few months later I started to have the awful pain return around the right side of my waist. Still no rash. I kept on the above treatment but the post herpetic neuralgia lasted a little over a year. I am pain free and hopes that pain will never return. For some reason hot soaks in the bath helped too.

[silverfox67]

    I am so sorry that your niece is suffering in this way.  Have you tried putting oatmeal or milk in her bath.  It is quite soothing for chicken pox and possibly for shingles, too.
    Amlactin lotion comes to mind as it has healing properties that help children with several kinds of skin conditions.
     Please let us know if this helps and keep us posted on how she is doing.  Poor baby.

[silverfox67]

    Thank you so much for the info.  I am fighting Zoster sine Herpete (Shingles without the rash) right now.  Doctor prescribed Acyclovir and it made me so dizzy and nauseous that I can't take it.  
    Fortunately I do have Vit. C and Vit. B 12!  Going to take that now.