on my worst enemy. I've never had so much pain in my life. My own personal trip to hades and back. I still have a major muscle spasm in my shoulder blade but the rest finally seems to be clearing up. Had this terrible rash from the center of my chest, under my left breast and across my back to my shoulder blade. Covered with blisters, rash and lots of pain. It's been almost 4 weeks so if you know anybody that has shingles, please give them a pat on the back cause they are in a whole lot of pain.

Well, since I'm 61, and shingles sounds like the worst thing ever ever ever, Maybe I'm going to check out that shot. I was wondering where you had gotten to, thought maybe your friend and you had gotten on the bikes and went for a road trip! Bet you wish you would have been doing that instead. I do hope you get to feeling better soon, and don't have any lasting effects from it! Hugs, Marji

bikermomfl, you have my sympathy, it all sounds so very awful. Love an hugs and a speedy recovery for you.

I know what your are saying, girl!!!That is the mos horrible thing to go thru...you need to read about Post Herpetic Neuralgia, I had shingles in 2005 and sometimes still get some of the pain. I also drink some of the Dannon Yougurt for Inmune system...Sometimes doctors will even put you on antidepressants for it...Hope and preay you are feeling better.

lol, I don't know where you live but this sounds very familiar... Our family has gone through the bird flu, flu & after all that cleared after 3 months, my youngest (who has just turned 18) came down with Shingles too, her's were on the right shoulder & base of neck with blisters. She has a few blotches but most have cleared now. Oh, by the way... we live on the east coast of Australia.

Praise God you're on the mend Karen. It's a horrible thing to get - as it stems from the Chicken Pox virus I can imagine the itch. I pray now that you will be fully fit and back to normal. Let your body heal, it knows when it's in trouble.

God bless you love and blessings Chris

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Just wondering what causes shingles? I've heard there's a vaccine for it. Did you get one-- or will you now? Sorry for your pain, seriously. Marcia

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by reggirl 02 Sep 2009

It is from the chicken pox virus & sits on your nerves all the time until you come into contact with a virus that sets it off. You will find it follows the nervous system lines. The pain goes into the muscles & causes painful spasms. It apparently isn't that catchy as chicken pox can be.

I FEEL YOUR PAIN!! I had them once and until you have them, you don't know what pain AND itch is! If someone starts talking about them, I start to tingle all along where I had them over a yr. ago! IF ANY OF YOU CUTIES HAVE NOT HAD THE SHINGLE SHOT, GET IT!! I wish I had! It's costly, but worth it!

I am glad to have you back among us, Karen! Sure do hope you keep improving and fast! This sounds like an awful bug to catch! Looks like with all the medical knowledge there is now, they should be able to put a stop to something that has been around all these years! The bronchitis was bad enough without all the rest! I do know what it is like to have major muscle spasms. I take meds for that daily. Most of mine are in the right side of my back but I also have them in my legs and neck and shoulders. The worst ones are always under my right shoulder blade and down my back. The arthritis took over my body starting over 15 yrs. ago. I am not giving into it though! I fight it everyday and still try to do what I want to do no matter how bad it hurts. If I give into it, then I might as well give up and go to bed. What you had/have sounds even worse than what I live with! I am so glad that you are getting better. By the way, thanks again!!!! I found some H.D. logo's today finally and I think I will put that on the hem on the sleeve. Several of them could be put on the front of the shirt/shirts because of the size of them. I think I just made a mess when I tried to clean the sewing room instead of helping things. The only thing I am sure of is where the machines and the thread is. Get well Karen! I know you are ready to go for a ride! Oh, and by the way, your cat is beautiful! I love them but I am allergic! Linda

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by bikermomfl 02 Sep 2009

thanks, that's my baby girl Isis.

I wondered where you had disappeared to Karen. I am so very sorry to hear of your agony and I pray that you never have to go through it again.
Sending some healing energy your way so you'll be 100% again really soon.
Hugs n love, Meganne

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by bikermomfl 02 Sep 2009

thanks so much, love the kitty. I bff collects fairies and she says fairies and cats go together so looks like we buddies.

U have really been through the wringer. I've had patients with shingles & it's exactly as u describe. Usually on one side & they follow a nerve, that's why they are so painful. They are caused by a virus. Glad to hear u r better. *4U

Here is a Hug for YOU...I really do hope YOU feel better....

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I'm happy you are on the mend. I got chicken pox when I was an adult with 3 young kids. And as nice as I was my children got it from me. :o(. At least theirs was very mild. As an adult it was the worst thing I went through. Hope you continue your recovery.:o)

Oh my goodnes, I have never had shingles or even know somebody who had it, but I am sure glad. It sounds absolutely awfull. Glad you are on the mend and hope the pain goes quickly. Welcome back. Lots of hugs (without touching) OUCH !!! God bless. Marietta

Sorry you are having such a rough time of it...my sister came down with shingles about the same time as you and the same area, it has been very rough on her as she lives alone (which she said she was probably thankfull for as she had to walk around half naked most of the time)...not a fun thing that's for sure, but she is starting to feel better and her son and his wife just had a new baby boy, so that has cheered her up a bit, then we leave on our Med Cruise next week, so she is hoping to be well and fairly pain free by then....do take it easy Karen. Apparently if you had Chicken Pox as a child the virus stays in your system and usually appears during or after a stressfull time as shingles. Catching it within the first 72 hours apparently too is helpfull...Hugs x0x0x0x

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by bikermomfl 02 Sep 2009

I think I caught it early the dr. gave me a prescription for some purple pill $350 for 10 pills and I don't think they did a thing, most of the rash is gone, but still can't wear a bra (very uncomfortable since I'm quite busty) but at least I can sew a little...

of course we missed you, hope you're feeling better soon!

Yes, I did miss you. I'm glad that you are back and recovering. O U C H! (from the CDC website)The CDC recommends Zostavax for use in people 60 years old and older to prevent shingles. This is a one-time vaccination. Zostavax does not treat shingles or post-herpetic neuralgia (pain after the rash is gone) once it develops. Hope you are all better soon!

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by bikermomfl 02 Sep 2009

wonder if that's the shot my dr. says he's gonna give me in 6 months? Regardless I don't ever want to do this again!

I am glad you are on the mend. I heard that shingles is aweful. How about instead of a pat on the back sending you virtual hug. (( ))

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by bikermomfl 01 Sep 2009

It's been so long since I've had a hug, not sure what to do with it. :-)

by crafter2243 04 Sep 2009

Enjoy it. Hi, Hi

Karen, glad to hear that you are back - so sorry for your illness' - that can't be fun - I myself have suffered through acute bronchiltis and my grand with shingles - I am wishing you good health. *4U

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Shingles is truely awful so I hope you are well on the way to recovery. Take care for the next few months and dont get stressed or overtired as the pain can return. Unfortunatly I had it during a summer holiday a few years ago so I know what you have been through

Hope you are feeling much better now! I know how painful that can be. I got it many years ago and I can still remember thing that I had never had a pain like that before! Fortunately I started medicine specifically for it so it didn't last tooo long and wasn't as bad as they said it might get. Since it was my face around the ear and eye, I was very lucky and blessed.

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Hay if you think that was Hades just wait!!I have had this to & it was around my waist & now from time to time i get itchy threir .No fun!! Welcome back to the land of the blessed.

My MIL had a similar case, and said she had never experienced such pain. Glad you're back and are beginning to recover! BTW, our pharmacist said there was a vaccine to prevent future cases. Said that future cases did occut, so check it out with your own physician.
Love,
Jacqueline

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by bikermomfl 01 Sep 2009

thanks my dr. says he's giving me the vaccine in 6 months. I sure can't do this again. I've never hurt so bad in my whole life and still hurt but I guess it's getting better.....

Good to see you back.....
isn't that a virus that stays in your system for LIFE...then when you are run down it BLASTs YOU???? I've heard that it is VERY painful...are there meds for it???

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by bikermomfl 01 Sep 2009

Painful is putting it mildly and yes there is a vaccine but I cant get it for 6 months. It hangs out in your spinal column since you had chicken pox and then rears it's ugly head whenever you get real sick after the age of 60. Lucky me I just turned 61!

by asterixsew 01 Sep 2009

Can be before 60. Know of two 14 year olds who have had it in the last 6 months

by bevintex 01 Sep 2009

My son has had it twice and he is in his late 20s.

by bikermomfl 02 Sep 2009

If your son has had it twice maybe he should be the shot. I know it's expensive but this disease is the pits. I don't think I could do it again, to much non stop pain......

by bevintex 02 Sep 2009

Thank you I will let him know. It was several years apart and at a time when he was really stressed
Bev

by mariahail 02 Sep 2009

I have a friend of her 30"s and she have them right now...but your chances or getting them after 60 are higher.

Hi bikermomfi glad your back,
Hugs from holland , and a flower for you

From what you say, I would probably avoid the pat on the back. ouch!
Glad you are improved!

I sure hope you are feeling better soon. There sure seems to be a lot of respiratory things going around now.

I'm so sorry that you have been under the weather. I know a few people who have had shingles, and they all agree with you! I hope that you are feeling much better now!