+ 2 Not what you want - Shingles
Ok so started a few days ago with 24 hours of total apathy. Felt like shit, didn’t want to do anything. Then the tingling, numbness and itching started across my back and stomach. Soon the rash/breakout started and it’s wrapping around as you can see. I’m 50 and had chickenpox already. I’m under a shit ton of stress, get little sleep and around sick people frequently…..this was bound to happen eventually. I don’t wish this shit on anyone.
I don’t mind pain and have handled my fair share, but this sucks. It’s a constant dull pain right at the left kidney and throughout the day, it switches all day, without warning to a stabbing pain that will just about put you to the floor. Almost happened at Walmart yesterday with the Ms. in tow.
First time with this, I’ll get the vaccine after it clears up. I might hit the DR tomorrow and see if he wants to do some antivirals and maybe shorten the life. Don’t really do pain meds other than Aleve, so suck it up. On a lighter note, I had just about finished my long Test/EQ run, so there’s that.
- Bookmark
- 2
- 0
Did you get the pics of the new babies for the new post yet mate?
Hey bro, I'm around. Bunch of stuff to catch up on around the farm and the weather has been kinda crappy. I have a few, so I'll get something posted soon. Wanted some nice sunny weather. Maybe I'll send you a sneak peak....
@Mac12769. How ya doing, Bro! Better I hope.
Hey bro, doing much better and thanks for following up. Just a couple scabs left and some numbness around my stomach. Who knows when that'll go away, but beats the pain. Energy finally back some too. Be on TRT for little while, let things reset. Got packs coming, I'm all set for a while
That’s awesome to hear. I thought you may not have been around lately because things got worse. I had a coworker catch it back it the day, and from one day to the next, his whole back was covered in the worst way, so I told my boss we’re either calling him an ambulance or I’m taking him to the hospital. I ended up taking him. Seeing a pretty tough grown man cry like that kinda traumatized me, so I was hoping that you weren’t going through that too. Didn’t want to tell you this story when you posted your pics, because I didn’t want to scare ya. This was almost thirty years ago though, so I’m sure the meds have come a long way since then. Happy to hear you’re doing well
I knew it was going to be bad and I'm no stranger to pain (trust me), but this was a new version. And I'll certainly admit it brought me to tears several times. The first episode was in Wal-Mart, just day after the outbreak, had started the meds, just not kicking in yet. Was pushing the cart with my wife, almost done, and the "hot/burning knife" went into that left kidney. I stopped, put my head down, started breathing deep trying to cope, and the tears were welling up. Had my cowboy hat on, so guess it didn't look so bad, took everything I had not to go my knees to the floor. My wife just stood there, up close, trying to hide me, look normal and wait it out. After a few minutes, finally told her vision was clearing from the pain, and could walk, so we could finish up shopping, which were thankfully headed when it happened. Sigh. So glad to be about over it.
Hey Bro! Can’t help but wonder how you’re doing with this. Hope you’re ok, I know how bad this shit can get, and hope that’s not case
Ok. Just put up some pics from this morning. Done spreading I think. Taking my meds. It’s helping. Just a wait and recover game.
Damn Buddy!!! Those look SERIOUSLY painful pal, this is one of the worst cases I have seen on here. I imagine the pain is now all around you.
On a sidenote though - Lookin seriously lean there Bro!!!
Thanks bro. I’m dealing with it. Gaba and some Tylenol 4. Try to go without in few days.
Ouch shingles are painful as hell I hear. I hope it runs it course and u have a speedy recovery --
You very much need a holiday. Recharge the batteries.
Brother I know, DR was like ‘how many days you want off, I can justify this all day long’. Told her have to work, my lady was laid off work right after Xmas, unexpected, need the OT.
It’s all good, little rest last night, and meds are helping. Appreciate it.
AWESOME BLOKE RIGHT HERE - Puts other people's lives and saving them before giving himself some time off even when he's got the bloody shingles
Kind words bro.
Their a rare breed nowadays. Credit where it's due.
Hope you are well buddy! Getting a little warmer here now - into the Spring we come LOL
I'm good mate, hope all's well with you brother.
Yeah I have to say I always look forward to spring coming, as much as I bitch about the cold I could never live in a constantly warm country, I suffer in the heat. Pale types like myself usually do.
I'm very much like that too, constantly warm weather drains me and really screws my training up. But walking out in 0 C isn't nice either so spring is a happy medium temperature wise - but then again us Brits will moan about anything eh bud!! Lmao
Little update : Just got back from Dr. Started up on antivirals, gaba, and some T4. It’s helping, more so than I thought. Breakout spread a little more and darker, but done moving I think.
Going to try some light workouts later, but for now, this is exhausting.
Appreciate the support guys, all of you.
See where I’m at in 2 weeks.
You need to give yourself some rest mate, you work yourself to the bone on these huge shifts then have everything to do on the farm when you get home. I would take some time off work if you can and leave the training for the time being, unless you feel it will help you. Great to hear you have got on some medications that are making you feel better
Thank you bro…..means a lot. Unfortunately I gotta work, need the OT, but I’ll slow down some. The meds are already helping a bunch. Ate dinner and wasn’t in pain for a while. I have to do some kinda sets and exercise or I’ll feel even worse. The Dr was cool though, she was ready to give me a/note for week off. She said it was worse case she’s seen. It’s spread more since pic. But I’m a bit better now, just want to recover.
Get better Mac. You’ll pull through this.
Thanks bro. Appreciate support. Just got off shift and have DR appt in few hours. Get some antivirals going and get this shit under control. Forgot to mention the constant pounding headache and fatigue. Killing my appetite too with constant pain. ugh.
I’m sure the medication contributes to fatigue as well. Just take it east for a few days see how you feel next week.
For sure they don’t help lol. I’m normally an energized bunny for energy, so I knew something was wrong pretty quick.
That is painful bro, I actually got it when I was 18, I got it on my foot and started to spread up my leg, couldn’t walk. The doc told me that it was really rare to get it around that age only around 8% get it around that age, I was one of the lucky ones lol. Hope you recover soon, add l-lysine to whatever they prescribed you.
It almost always grows in that exact spot. It will get half way around your body then stop. IDK why it only goes halfway. Get some capsicum roll on at the drug store. They have it at any drug store just for shingles. It works great. Shit is going to hurt dude. Get the roll on stuff. Trust me I been there
Pops went through that shit, he didn’t have any welts or anything because it was all internal. He was in a fuck ton of pain, any movement triggered the pain, the shirt on his back would cause pops pain. Pops had to sleep sitting up for a few days. I fuckin feel for anybody that gets shingles because I witnessed the pain and agony that it put strong fuckin men to. Speedy recovery brother.
Damn Mac I'm sorry about this. Wishing you the best brother. I can't even begin to imagine. Side note....you're looking good man. Keep your head up and do what you gotta do to get well.
Thanks brother. You have no idea how bad i just want this to end so I can work.
Oh and thanks, I wasn't even thinking about that, but the EQ has done well and can''t really see any of that. Maybe I'll put up a post cycle pic after this bullshit clears up.
Yeah do that but first thing is first and that's getting you back to normal. Best wishes.
Shit sucks man, I was fortunate compared to what some others have had. Gabapentin can help with the pain but it makes me feel kinda dizzy and drowsy so I don’t really like it. When I went to the doc, I was too late for the pills I think but the cream helped and was gone shorty after.
Does anyone know why we all seem to get this? Or is it just a common thing amongst everyone like the flu or cold? Is it from sweaty gym equipment? Or does gear somehow effect it? Like why do we all get it?
It's a bit to explain, but in a nutshell, it's the chicken pox virus., dormant in your body if you've had it. It can be there forever and not do anything, but as you age, you become more susceptible to an outbreak as immune system weakens, etc. Also, a huge trigger for me, was lack of sleep, stress, lots of OT. That will kill your immune system, plus i'm in medical field and exposed to sick people all the time. I should've gotten the Shingles vaccine sooner, but still can cause i'll always be at risk. Other things can trigger too of course, chemo, meds that weaken immune system, etc. Hope that helps.
I got shingles because my immune system was messed up form a third degree burn with two skin graft surgeries. The shingles hurt more than the burn. It suckes burn hurt on one side and shingles on the other. I had to lay on my back
Bro, I’ve dealt/treated with 3rd burns many times, never experienced it, but this is on a whole new level. When that sharp hits out of nowhere, it’s like hot knife you can’t fucking pull out.
I was lucky because since I was laid up in bed from burns I caught my shingles literally within hours of not minutes. Took the medication and it was gone within a month
Yeah I remember those pictures!! You had a drainage tube and everything
Thanks for all the info but I mean why do WE get it so much. Like us Eroids guys lol. A bunch of us have had it and It seems to be the most common “illness” related thing I’ve seen posted about besides bloodwork and stuff directly related to gear. Maybe it’s just a coincidence idk
Nope I know plenty of people that had it. My mom few guys from work it’s more common than you think
I think its because when you are a member on here you end up knowing so many people, much more than you normally would in real life so you are just around a larger pool of people although the percentage it affects is still the same I am guessing. I've been thinking the same about guys who have had cancer on here and the number of people who say they have had chemotherapy, in my life I know no one but on here its about 3 or 4 people now.
On the positive side your core is lookin solid.
After my ACL reconstruction surgery I had your same mindset. I don’t do painkillers and just suck it up. Sure, I made it through without taking them but at what cost of mental stress of being in constant throbbing agony? If I could do it over (knock on wood) I should have taken some of those prescription painkillers instead of trying to just power through it. There’s a huge difference in abusing pain killers and using them when they’re 100% warranted.
I hope you get better soon and I also hope you don’t pick the road I chose and stay in constant pain for the sake of “sucking it up.” You have adorable baby goats that need your attention. Oh yea…your wife too I guess…lol
Appreciate it bro. The wife is already up my ass to get to DR soon as I get off shift lol. I'll get some meds going, just can't be on anything at all at work. The dull pain really wears you out, but the sharp pain is like someone put a butterknife in your side. That's what puts you to tears.....
I understand doing what you have to do for work. I’d get shooting pain that caused me to stutter when talking. The first time it happened my wife thought I was having a stroke and panicked. I know it pales in comparison to what you’re going through now, but I do empathize with your situation.
Thanks for support guys. Get off this 24 shift in morning. Can't get an appt with my PCP so just going to Urgent care for the antivirals. Just pushing through it for now.
Damn, so sorry, Bro! Hope you feel better soon
Man heal up. Sorry to see this
I'll say this up front... It's ok to cry.
You do not want to wait to see a doctor. You'll want the antivirals to stop the spread, and Gabapentin for preventing/reducing those random events of searing pain that drops you to your knees. Oxy was given to me for the first week or two as well to get past the worst of the flair up. Be grateful it's not on your face.
3 years later and I still have very mild nerve pain on my left brow and forehead. More irritating than painful. Seems to be slowly getting better as time goes on.
My wife said same thing about face lol. I'm trying to take this in stride, but it really sucks. That sharp pain to kidney out of nowhere is unreal.
If its still within 3 days of noticing it then there is medicine that can be effective for it bud and will limit the amount of time you have it? Its nerve pain under the skin at the site of the blisters that you are feeling bro, do not take warm showers either as this increases blood flow.