Tick followup - probably nothing

[johnridley]

I'm finishing up the antibiotics in a few days, but I think the skin issue that I have has nothing to do with the tick bite. It seems to me that it might be a mild case of shingles. That's what they LOOK like anyway, exactly like the photos I've seen online. Timing to the tick bite was probably totally coincidental, though of course I'll finish the antibiotic regime.

Shingles are supposed to be pretty painful, but these aren't much more than mildly itchy. The pages I've read do say that they're worse for people with less strong immune systems, so here's hoping I'll be able to continue to kick their butt. Also that the "most people only get them once in their lives" thing is true. If they don't get worse or spread any more, I'll just leave them alone, from what I can tell they'll just have to go away on their own anyway.

I did have a persistent evening headache and very little energy the first week I noticed these things, which seems to be consistent. What's not consistent is that I have two patches, one on my left calf and one on my right armpit, and the stuff I've read says outbreaks occur on one side of the body.

It does seem like several people I know have gotten shingles outbreaks this year. Probably just a statistical fluke.

Comments

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I've had shingles twice, and OMG they were painful. And in each case, I was on the drugs for it within the first day of the outbreak. I remember sitting on a padded sheepskin and using a heating pad for a month; I found heat to be helpful.

[bloggingchick.livejournal.com]

It is possible the tick bite may have partially triggered the shingles. An ex-boyfriend of mine was stung by a bee and, while not allergic to bee stings, it triggered a small outbreak of shingles. At least that is what the Dr. told him. Since he was diagnosed early then whatever treatment he got he was perfectly fine a week or so later.

[madtechie2718.livejournal.com]

When P had an attack of shingles several years back, it was around one eye and part of her face - and very painful.

Unlike (from my experience) in the US, Zovirax/Acyclovir is over the counter in cream form, so, being Sunday morning, we got some from a supermarket pharmacy and applied it immediately. By the time we got an appointment at her Dr's office a couple of hours later, the symptoms were increasing in severity - particularly eye irritation.

P generally has a very strong immune system, just about never gets infections, rarely gets colds, and (like me) has not had flu for a couple of decades or more.

*prompt* application of antivirals in cases of shingles is likely to pay dividends down the line in terms of reduced chances of scarring or future occurence and residual pain/sensitivity.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Well, it's already been 2 or 3 weeks and things really aren't spreading, and it's clearing up a little. I wonder if it's really shingles because it's not at all painful.

[mbcrui.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who had a bout with shingles a few years ago-- he lost significant weight and spent several months in an exceptionally cranky mood. When they finally cleared up, he said it was more painful than being shot in the stomach in Vietnam.

We've discussed the possibility that shingles were the thing that wore my 90yo uncle down until he died. Like Madtechie's P, he didn't get sick often, and was just totally worn down by the continued pain from shingles.

I'd suspect if it wasn't horribly painful, it probably wasn't shingles.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm starting to think that as well. The skin looks exactly like some of the pictures, but it doesn't hurt at all.

Well, whatever, it's getting better on its own so I don't much care what it is.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Hmm, this says it's theoretically possible that it's shingles but no pain:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070722131205AAVJxKN