Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: honeybun on July 30, 2013, 12:56:17 PM
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She has been feeling a bit off for a few days and this morning the rash came up.
It's high up on her breast. Not many spots but it's definitely shingles. I called the GP.
GP has given her anti viral medication but I am reluctant to give them to her as the side effects are pretty bad.
On the NHS website it said it should be used with care in the elderly.
What next....I am so tired. I feel sorry for her, this can last for up to a month and its going to be a fun filled time. She does not cope well with this kind of thing.
Want to run away and join the circus.
Honeyb
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No, no, no - the sooner she gets the anti-viral meds the sooner she will get relief from symptoms. If used within 72 hours of the rash appearing the patient has much benefit. ......... Shingles in the elderly can be long-term. I know your Mum is 91 but still, long-term can cause depression - ...........
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Side effects
Dizziness-----she does not walk well any way.
Sickness-------she has a very sensitive stomach
Diahorea------try getting to the loo fast when you don't walk well.
This is going to be a damned if we do and damned if we don't situation.
Honeyb
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If you don't start them straight away they wont work anyway Honeybun. The symptoms of shingles, as the pain increases, can also include vomiting and upset stomach plus really dreadful pain. I would definitely give her the meds.
Taz x
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Does this help you decide http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Shingles/Pages/Treatment.aspx
The rash can be horrible as it develops and also because she is elderly it is important to try to stop it multiplying as much as possible and anti-virals are the only things that will do this.
I had it last year but without the rash -trust me - and even now my skin is extremely tender in one place.
Taz x :hug:
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Oh I really don't know what would be best.
The GP said it was a mild case. My mother has reacted badly to pills all her life so she is almost guaranteed to react badly.
It's so hard to decide what's best for her.
Off to call big sis for a chat as to what's best.
Honeyb
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There is never a mild case of shingles. If left the pain will be the same and the after effects too. Just because she has reacted to other medications she may not to these. Let us know what you decide and what the eventual outcome is with regards pain levels etc..
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We are really lucky that the anti virals are now prescribed. A few years ago there was nothing for this horrible illness. I can see how you don't want your mum to suffer the side effects though but maybe short-lived side effects are better than months of pain?
I hope you've had chicken pox Honeyb!!
Taz x
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My mum, age 85, has just had shingles. She was given the anti viral meds and was fine, no side effects. Shingle pain can last for years, better to take the meds than risk long lasting nerve pain!!!
Side effects are on all meds just to cover the pharma companies. She can always stop if they disagree with her.
That's what I had to do recently after a bad reaction to tramadol
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My mum had to put up & shut up. She had it for ages. Couldn't wear a bra, couldn't sleep with the pain.
Not sure what to suggest HB, apart maybe from some incontinence pants/pads if she gets the runs.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. It's just been one thing after another. I really feel for you. :hug:
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She has started the tablets so we will have to see how it goes.
She says she feels ok although very tired.
Fingers crossed that she can tolerate the medication.
Thanks all for your input....it made the decision easier.
Honeyb
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Hope she feels better soon HB!
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You've done the right thing Honeyb.
The pain that can come with shingles, is really really bad.
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I hope she's better soon and doesn't get any side effects.
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Hope your Mum soon feels better and doesn't have too many effects from the meds. My Mum had the same thing a couple of weeks ago - she was also lucky in that it was caught early and they put her on anti-viral medication straight away. I think she did suffer from dire-rear for a few days but she didn't get any pain from the shingles and is now just left with some scabs where the blisters were.
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She is sore and itchy at the moment but not too bad. I am not there today but sis says she looks ok.
Calamine lotion is required I think.
Honeyb
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There is a chickenpox ointment called virosoothe which you can get. It's good on chickenpox. Quite expensive, but DD got for granddaughter couple of years back. Said it was money well spent. You can get from the big chemist on the high street.
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Thanks CG. I will have a look although we only have a small branch of that big shop ;D
Honeyb
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Don't forget Calamine Lotion too HB
and this http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/04/25/listerine-helps-ease-shingles-pain/
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Calamine lotion makes the scabs itch far worse :o - that's all I remember, the lotion drying and causing more itchyness ......... :'(
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It is recommended CLKD http://www.livestrong.com/article/152889-home-remedies-for-shingles-on-the-face/
Just google Calamine Lotion shingles.
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Calamine lotion is still the best treatment for the itch http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Shingles/Pages/Treatment.aspx
Taz x
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My daughter had chicken pox a few years ago at 16. She was so unwell and I have never seen so many spots on one person. I used calamine lotion on her body ( I painted it on ) and calamine cream on her face. I kept both in the fridge and it was so soothing.
The old ways are sometimes the best.
Honeyb
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What do 'they' compare calomine lotion too though. I would never use it again. It dried and made the itching worse, a bit like when water dries on the skin after a bath ::) .......... I know some people who swallow an anti-histamine pill which eases the itching.
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I hope she starts to feel better soon.
4 weeks since my mum was diagnosed and she says she feels ok but still a bit sore at times! The pain can last!!
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When we lived in Aden, all the kids when they first came out to live there got Septic Prickly Heat (the kids were not allowed to go to school until it was gone) we were all covered in blue and yellow stuff they painted on at Sick Quarters, my mum decided to use Calamine Lotion instead, it was called Crookes Lacto Calamine lotion it was not like the Calamine Lotion you get in Boots today
Heres a pic(http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/07/8e/6c/078e6cce0d6611763caa2db962f2fc33.jpg)
you can still get it but its been updated and Aloe Vera has been added.
Anyway it did the trick far quicker then the hideous ointment.
You can get Calamine powder and make your own lotion perhaps mixing it with Aloe Vera Gel so it is not so drying, I make my own face masks with it. You can get a big tub of it from amazon.
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:thankyou:
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When I was there this morning she asked me to look at her back. She has two suspicious spots. Could it be more shingles appearing. I thought they would stay in the same place. Her shoulder and back is where she is having pain but only at night.
Does anyone know if this could be another crop of spots?
Honeyb
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It says here that the blisters only appear in the same place as the nerve http://www.patient.co.uk/health/shingles-herpes-zoster
Taz x
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Thanks Taz.....it seems unlikely that the spots are shingles then.
The shingles rash is on the top part of her breast, I wonder why the pain is in her shoulder and back.
It's very difficult to judge how bad she is because she is such a poor sufferer and exaggerates so much. That sounds a bit harsh but she has always been like this.
Honeyb
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It could be referred pain? Are the spots the 'same' as the shingles rash?
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They look similar but we will have to wait and see.
The website certainly says that's not the way things generally goes.
Honeyb
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Does your GP visit your Mum any time soon?
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HB I wish I'd seen this thread. My life has been in upheaval lately so,sorry I haven't posted . I know of only one case of mild shingles. It is usually hell. I would always medicate. I am allergic everything, but the anti virals are not bad at all. mild headache.if I even think I have shingles I take the antiviral for a few days. The damaged nerve can last a lifetime and it, post herpetic neuralgia caused a dear fiend of mine to ommirpt suicide,
I question whether he has shingles. The pain is right at the spot of the nerve. The nerve is insulated like an electrical wire.
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How is she, any improvement?
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All the spots are now out. They start on her chest and go in a line under her arm and round onto her back. They are drying up nicely and she does not have a huge amount of pain. It's more at night that it bothers her.
Thanks for asking.
I think she is doing really well.
Honeyb
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Which nerve root is that following - will have to get my Dorling Kindersley book out ::)
Is she moaning less ....... :-X ;)
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Nope she can moan for her country. She says she has cystitis. It's the funniest case of cystitis I have ever seen. Fine in the morning and builds up during the day. BIL has been unwell and she is not getting the usual amount of attention.
It often works this way. Gosh I sound harsh but we are well versed in mother's ailments. It's not how anyone else is but how it affects her.
Honeyb
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::)
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HB you are so funny. I crack up reading your long-suffering issues with your mother. You deserve some sort of medal. You really are a very good daughter.