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Permalink Reply by Dave Kaltenberg on July 10, 2011 at 6:01pm

I had shingles twice.  The first time I had them on the right side of my face and eye.  The second time was in the same place but no that bad.  Shingles are related to chickenpox.  I had chicken pox twice in my life as well.  The will put you on viral medication like valtrex (the same as herpes meds) and this will help lessen the length you have them.  The biggest problem is that you will have phantom pain from your nerve ends where the shingles have been and possible scars.  That is why shingle will only be on one side of your body.  If you have a reoccurrence of them have your doctor get you on the viral medicine right away.  My transplant team didn't have a great fear for me having them.

Best of luck

Dave

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Permalink Reply by Marina on July 10, 2011 at 6:16pm

I  had  shingles   a  few  yrs  back  (pre-TX).        My  PCP  told me  that  shingles  need  to  be  treated  within  72hrs  to  prevent  the  long  term   nerve pain   (Neuralgia).       

Honestly  I  can't  recall  what  other  symptoms I had  besides  the  pain.  The  pain is  what  made  me  go  see  a  Dr.

I  was  put  on  Aciclovir  and  was  told to  stay  away  from  young  children  who  had  not  had  chicken pox  yet.

I  heard  they  can  also  prescribe    aciclovir  cream  to  apply  to  affected  area.     You're  right  Dave,  shingles  will only  affect  ONE  side  of the  body.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Burnie Schultz on July 10, 2011 at 11:43pm

I also have had shingles a few years back. Dr [not my TX Dr] said there was nothing I could take to treat it because of having a TX. It lasted for about 10 days to 2 weeks of pain [4 weeks to be over it]. Went back to Dr about day 5 to see if there was something to handle the pain [no sleep for about a week]. Dr gave me Lyrica which took the edge off the nerve pain [not stop it] so i could function and get things done and sleep. There now is shingles vaccination. Medicare will pay for it I understand if on Medicare........... BUT............

 

...........WARNING..........

Can shingles be prevented?

Yes, you can prevent shingles by getting the shingles vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults over 60 years of age get a one-time shot of the vaccine, even if they have had a prior outbreak of shingles.
Some people should not get a shingles vaccine, however. Talk to your doctor before getting the shingles vaccine if you:

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccination
• Have a weakened immune system because of:
  • Any disease that affects the immune system
  • Treatment with drugs that affect the immune system
  • Cancer treatment (radiation or chemotherapy)
  • A history of cancer that affects the bone marrow or lymphatic system (leukemia or lymphoma)
  • A case of active, untreated tuberculosis
• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Women should not become pregnant for at least three months after getting the shot.

You may be vaccinated if you are mildly ill (a slight cold). But anyone who is moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover before getting the vaccine; this includes anyone with a temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Link to Shingles info I used..........

http://www.medicare.com/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine.html

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Permalink Reply by Marina on July 11, 2011 at 4:33am

Burnie,

 

Shingles  is  a live  vaccine,  so  not  recommended  for  TX  patients.     Unless your  specific  TX  center  approves  of  it.

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Permalink Reply by Bobbiejo Winfrey on July 11, 2011 at 6:34am

Dear Marina,

Thank you for sharing this. I had just recently asked my local doctor about the shingles vaccine, and I had not heard back from him yet. May you have a blessed week. Many hugs.

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Permalink Reply by Judi Pulaski on September 14, 2011 at 12:19am

If you have had a transplant you cannot have the Shingles Vaccination!!!  It is a live virus.  I was told this by my transplant team at UW Hospital in Madison, WI when I asked about it.

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Permalink Reply by Sherrell Gay on July 11, 2011 at 5:22am

My heart transplant was almost 9 years ago and I had shingles for the first time this year.  My primary care doc called my transplant team to confer about what I could take.  The medications helped the pain. I just felt bad for a couple of weeks.  My was located around my midsection. I didn't lose my appetite though.

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Permalink Reply by Bobbiejo Winfrey on July 11, 2011 at 6:32am

Dear Allison,

I developed shingles on only my right thigh about two years or so after my transplant. I remember having chicken pox when I was very little. I was put on oral Acyclovir and was given an ointment to put on the rash. I had some burning and pain for about a week or less, but I had no long lasting side effects like nerve pain. I do have a few light scars as a reminder that I had it, but that is certainly nothing of which to complain. I hope you may soon feel better. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Many hugs and wishes for healing and renewal are being sent your way on the wings of hope.  

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Permalink Reply by Judi Pulaski on September 14, 2011 at 12:22am

I have suffered with Shingles 3 times on the left side of my head.  They usually start with an ache in my ear, then run up the side of my head to a migraine like headache that is horrible.  I have been given Neuronton to help me through this.  Seems they were set off when I got in extremely stressful situations.  I really try to control my emotions as much as possible. 

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Permalink Reply by Jim Mozingo on December 4, 2011 at 5:48am

I had a kidney transplant 5 years ago and contracted shingles a month ago.  The rash was on the right side of my face accompanied by headaches.  I was hospitalized for 6 days being treated with antiviral IVs and various pain relievers, morphine, vicodin, and oxycodone.  Now the headaches persist and last night I developed facial paralysis also on the right side of my face.  From what I have read, I am experiencing postherpetic neuralgia, which occurs in approximately 20% of the shingles cases.  I have made an appointment to see a neurologist.  Has anyone gone through postherpetic neuralgia and how long did it take to go away?

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