shingles

[Dee Sa]

I have returned from US holiday and have a mild form of shingles over one eye[ went to Moorfields and got it checked out],only three small spots and have been given anti inflamitory type tabletsby Moorfields, obviously its painful, but does anyone have any tips of what to & not to do.
I have been told by hosp. that it is infectious for 7 days and to stay away from anyone who has not had chicken pox., but not given any pain killers.
What have others done pls ?

[RATTER15]

I was given an ointment to put on mine! shingles can be very painful. What is Moorfields?

You do need to see a Dr if you haven't already.

[Dee Sa]

hello Ratter 15, I meant Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, they have their own A&E.
First I went to our local walk in clinic at Upney near Barking because the 1st GP's appt was next week, the nurse at the walk in told me it was too late for tablets, it was not infectious and pain killers wont work, she also said it was up to me if I wanted to go and get my eye checked out.
This I did, I went to Moorfields Eye hopspital, and saw a doctor, who informed me that it was contagious until the scabs drop off, and he prescribed a course of tablets to be taken 5 times a day , and said it was going to be painful, I was lucky it is such a mild attack and try painkillers.
So I had two conflicting sets of advice, but believe the eye doctor over the practice nurse.
which ointment did you use pls ?

[RATTER15]

I really don't know the name of the ointment but it came with the stiffest application brush that made it really painful to apply. I wasn't given any painkillers either.

Sorry i'm not a lot of help!

[Dee Sa]

your answers are helpful Ratter15 and at least you took the time to reply, many thanks.
Had you never heard of Moorfields before ? its very famous in our neck of the woods ? the plus being any eye emergency only, the have doctors there 24 hrs who specialise in eyes, we got there at 3pm and left with pharmacy wait by 6pm which I thought was pretty good.
best regards Dee

[RATTER15]

I live in glorious Devon, we have our own eye hospital I think!! well we used to!!

But no, I never heard of Moorfields!!

[Mrs G]

I had mild shingles but suffered more with the associated neuralgia I was prescribed Gabapentin for the neuralgia, Co-Dydramol for the pain and was told to use calamine lotion on the spots.

[Dee Sa]

many tks Mrs G.
luckily I only had 5 spots and the scabs have dropped off today, but the pain does keep me awake at night.
Dee

[emx384]

I had shingles a few years ago and was given the same as you.

I had pain and took neurofen which helped as it is better for muscle/nerve stuff than paracetomal. I was told I might get flare ups again but never have.

You can only get it it if you have had chicken pox and cant give it to anyone (unless they touch it!) although you can give people chicken pox when you have it!! If that makes sense!

The pain shouldnt last long, although again I was warned you can get twinges after as its a nerve thing! Again I never have! I had about thirty spots from the middle of my back to the from of my chest (Initially i thought a flea had got in my bra and bitten all the way round!) Shingles follows a nerve apparently!

I got it because I was really run down with costant tonsilitis so I woul suggest eating loads of fruit and stuff to combat it.

Best of luck.

[Dee Sa]

emx384
many thanks for your reply, the last scab is about to drop off [where do they go ?], I find I cant sleep at night and I have no energy to do normal household tasks, or inclination, which goes against the grain as I am normally hyperactive, hopefully things will go back to normal soon, thanks for the tip to try neurofen.
Dee