Yep, it’s shingles
In case you were wondering, I finally got my lab results back (2 weeks later) and what I have is, indeed, shingles and not some incurable mystery disease. Yay. I hope you, whoever you are, never, never, never get shingles. It is not serious, but damn, it hurts like hell.
I don’t remember if I said this already, but the first sign I had that anything was wrong was a feeling like a bad sunburn on my thigh. This peculiar pain proceeded to travel up and down the right side of my body, here one day, somewhere else the next, until it hit my scalp and the sole of my foot — and then it traveled back the other direction and spent a lot of time on my stomach and upper arms (both of them, not just the right). The blisters and rash only ever appeared on the back of my thigh (and other areas nearby).
Anyway, the rash is a lot better now and is mainly itchy. It still hurts, but not like before and it’s quite bearable. The sunburn-esque pain shows up now and again but is no longer constant. I’m tired all the time but that could be caused by any one of my assorted health issues, not necessarily the shingles :)
So that’s the end of the State of Kara’s Health update for today!
Category: Blog 8 comments »
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Yes, I had been wondering about the shingles diagnosis and about how you were feeling. I’m glad it is finally getting better.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Aw man. I’m so sorry.
Kevin go them too once. It was during a stressful time and his grandmother had just gotten them. So, the idea that they aren’t contagious I do not believe.
The best thing for the pain we found was lavender oil. Seems like tea tree oil was good too. I think we got some kind of strong essential oil and mixed it with some almond oil as a base. It was better than whatever came from the doctor’s office. His grandmother said it worked better too.
Good luck. /hugs.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Been there – done that! I was 64 at the time and it had been nearly 60 years since I had the chicken pox. Good news is that most people don’t get shingles a second time. It could be worse – I know one guy that got shingles in his eye! No permanent damage fortunately.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I’m so sorry. Shingles is indeed horrible. But thank you so much for recording When Mother Lets Us Cook so quickly!! I posted the link on my blog post about the e-book. Your awesome!
July 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Oh, and by the way, the same site posted another cookbook on Friday and you can still get it here http://www.wholesomechildhood.com/freebies/July25.html probably until tomorrow.
July 27th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Oh, thanks for the link, Jill! That *is* a charming little book! I think I might have to record that one as well :) (p.s. you can find that one on googlebooks as well!)
July 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Oh please…go crazy!!! But be sure to let me know.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Ugh. Hope you’re feeling better soon!