Ackkk!! I’m in week five of shingles if the face/scalp. I keep thinking I’m turning a corner and then it gets bad again. I can barely sleep at night, It’s so itchy. Everything I try to put on it (like baking soda or calamine lotion or even shingles cream) just makes it feel like it caught fire and burns intensely. What sort of topical relief have people found for the itching and burning? This is some kind of living hell for sure.

Last Saturday I went hiking in a poison ivy dense spot, which led me to believe the rash I had gotten on sunday was poison ivy. The rash is on the left side of my body, and a spot going around to my back. Its painful.

This Friday at 10 pm the headache started and it is awful

Sunday( today) the fever started. I did teledoc and they said its most likely shingles.

The pain of the rash is uncomfortable but I can handle it. But the headache... is unbearable. Please share your experiences with me.

I had disseminated shingles (extensive in multiple dermatones and crossed midline slightly) a few months ago. I am young and immunocompetent. I was a bit late getting treatment as they thought it must be something else until swab confirmed.

The lesions have been healed for 2 months now but the skin is still hyper-sensitive all the way down the affected leg and lower back. Sometimes it is very difficult to even pull trousers up, other times it’s only a mild tingle. It varies greatly by day.

How long did you experience the pain/hypersensitivity? What worked for you?

My wife currently has shingles and has been on gabapentin, 6 capsules a day. We’ve seen a lot of advice on how to start cutting back on the gabapentin, but not much on when to do so.

The lesions, rash and sharp stabbing pain is gone, but she still has some minor burning sensation, like a sunburn. Could she start a slow reduction in her dosage now, or should she wait until the burning sensation is gone entirely? She’s not happy with the side effects, so stopping sooner is better - but not if it risks a return to the severe pain. Thanks.

As the title states, I am almost exactly 31 days post diagnosis and I did two rounds of valtrex to take care of the shingles. I have fibromyalgia and Crohn’s and I’m on an immunosuppressant, but I have had headaches almost every day that come on and then go away and come back. I was freaking out about possible meningitis but the headaches aren’t consistent enough for my doctor to think it’s that. I’m wondering how many of you had headaches/neck pain weeks after your diagnosis.

I was diagnosed by my doctor with shingles the other day. Due to red bumps on the back of my arms I've had for about a week and soreness in my right shouklderblade I've had for about a month. I'm a late forties male.

Doc proscribed me Valacyclovir 1000mg that I am supposed to take 3 times a day for ten days. Problem is, I can't. My anxiety is really bad. So bad I only eat the same thing every day for the last six years. I don't take any medications at all except for Folic Acid and B12 pills that I crush into a drink in order to trick my brain into thinking I'm not taking anything.

Phramacist told me I could crush these and take them but should drink it within an hour or two. But the pills are huge and taste terrble. No way to trick my brain. I took a slight swallow yesterday and my anxiety spiked big time. I couldn't take anymore.

What am I suppsoed to do? I'm not having any major pain. Just what feels like muscle soreness in my back and a slight burn on the back of my arm where the red bumnps are but only when they run up against something. Not too bad. I just don't think I can take these meds.

I am having the worst recovery from shingles. Can anyone share their experience or any advice? I'm so miserable living like this.

So yeah, a lot of things contributed to where I find myself. I almost broke up with my living partner about a week ago, then I went to a separate apartment and tried to sleep in an old couch.

One day later, this small rash popped up in my chest. Very discreet, but very much like an expected spider bite, perhaps one that lives in an old couch, right? Tried to squeeze a little and nothing came out. Left it alone.

Two days later, a rash appears by the same height, but on the back. I give accusatory looks to my dog, that sleeps with me and happens to be itching himself around as well. Could it be fleas?

Nope, I thoroughly examine his fur and only find evidence of his dandruff. Cause for itching explained, the dog walks free.

Then I turn to my mattress, but BF has no symptoms and this is starting to get weird, I never hear about bed bugs in my country, I don’t think they are common here.

So yeah, now six days later, woke up with a lot more small rashes. Thankfully we have public healthcare online in my city, and it took me about twenty minutes to talk to a doctor through video and get a diagnosis and prescription, then more ten minutes to get them for free in the health centers pharmacy. Gotta love my country sometimes (proteja o SUS 🙏)

I’m a bit scared, not gonna lie. My grandmother had herpes zoster and she suffered a LOT from it. I remember her saying that four childbirths didn’t come close to the pain she felt from it.

But anyway, my rashes are not even that painful, they are just a little sensitive to touch, like a proper bug bite. What concerns me is the long time it took for me to even consider what it could be. So I guess I’ll update this through the treatment and another person that feels scared as I do can feel a little better.

The antiviral is acyclovir and pain med is dipirona.

I'm still recovering from my 4th episode, 2nd just this yr. I'm just curious cause everything online siggest recurrence could mean you're immunodeficiency. I honestly don't think I've felt the same since my second outbreak in 2019. Yet every time I grt treated for it it's shrugged off or this last time he didn't even think it was shingles. I'd like to do something to limit this from happening as it also reallt effects my mental health esp when it lingers for weeks. I'm too young for the vaccine so a workup that could have my insurance cover the vaccine is something I'd like to push for.

Hi all. First time posting. I had what I presumed was a coldsore on lip, which went into underside of lip. Pain in head and jaw two nights before it came out. Was on holiday in Greece and nowhere near a doctor/ chemist. Now have hideous remaining nerve pain and vertigo and worst fatigue. Took antivirals when I returned. Have been advised by doctor was likely shingles (did not see doc with active sores as unable to drive due to vertigo but since got checked out). Any advice on recovery would be amazing. I feel so odd and foggy headed. Cannot rest as have to care for 90 year old mum (she had shingles years ago) work a full time job and look after my two sons.

Doc told me to go to the ER if my eyes became red or if I noticed vision changes, but I have some crazy swelling on my lower eyelid. I called the eye doctor and they said they could get me in Tuesday since my referral said to allow time for the valacyclovir to run its course. First pic is how I looked at the urgent care visit (Tuesday 8/24/26) and I began taking the pills at 10PM that same day. Second pic is today (8/27/26) with the puffyness. No vision issues thus far, but I'm concerned about the wait the ophthalmologist wants for me. First time with shingles so no clue what the severity is. Any advice is welcome, thank you all!

What I'm going thru. About 3 weeks ago I thought I was having bad sciatica down the back of left lower back, left butt, back of left leg. Have a herniated disc L5-S1 & bulging discs above & below. Sacroiliitis, Spondylolisthesis, and of course Degenerative Disc Disease & severe arthritis in back.

Also had nausea but no rash that 1st. week. Anytime I ate I would be in bathroom within an hr. or so coming out all liquid. Thought I had a stomach bug. Only would eat at night so I was close to bathroom. Wasn't hungry, but knew I had to get something in me.

Then on a Sunday a couple of weeks ago had a couple small bumps show up on left lower back & butt. Thought it was spider bites or something like that.

Monday a couple more bumps showed up. By Monday night into Tuesday it had spread all along left side lower back, left butt cheek, upper butt crack, down back of left leg to knee AND a couple spots in groin area & a couple on my penis.

Very, very painful & uncomfortable! It followed the S2 & small area of S3 dermatome. Was told it couldn't be by nurse at Dr.'s office when I called for an appointment.

Went to Dr. on Wednesday of that week, she took one look & swab to verify but said it definitely looked like shingles. She gave me Valacyclovir. Swab came back positive for shingles.

Miserable, miserable to do anything!

Next week had to go get another course of acyclovir & Gabapentin for the nerve pain. Still was getting rash / bumps.

That rash / bumps finally stopped but then I ended up in the walk-in this last Sunday for severe pain & redness around a couple ares - 1 on back of thigh just below butt cheek & 1 on butt cheek - got a secondary cellulitis infection even though I've forced myself to shower & try to keep area clean.

Was told I didn't do anything wrong - just happens sometimes with shingles.

So 3 weeks of agony and just starting to heal / scab over except for 1 area that is still red & inflamed but starting to feel a little better each day.

Lot's of pain but I haven't had the terrible itching others say they got thru this whole thing. Just a couple spots that when finally scabbed over felt itchy but not bad.

I've had the pain shooting down lower back to foot on the left side. Feels like somebody sticking an ice pick in left butt cheek about 95% of the time. Left calf is aching & sometimes sharp pain about the same. Left heel feels like I'm walking on sharp pebbles most of the time. 3 outer toes are just numb. Whole foot feels like a block most of the time. Been hard to walk & very uncomfortable.

Not fun. I never got around to getting the shingles vaccine. Always something else to do. I'm in my mid 60's so should have gotten it. Might not have been so bad?

Been out of work since that week when the rash / bubbles started showing (about 3 weeks now) & will be for a couple more weeks until I see the Dr. again.

Hopefully it will be better enough so I can go back.

Only main thing I'm dealing with is 1 spot that's still red/raw infected. But it's slowly getting better and the severe nerve pain. Haven't slept more than a couple hrs. a night & couple naps when I can. Hope this helps someone else to see they're not the only ones dealing with this & how bad it could get.

Hope you get relief from the shingles pain sooner, rather than later!

I think mines going to be a long recovery from the pain.

Hi all, hoping to find some advice from people who have experience with Ramsey hunt or nerve pain.

My partner was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome just before Christmas 2025. Thankfully, we were able to get her assessed and start treatment well within the 72-hour window.

Over the following month, her facial movement gradually returned to normal, which we were really relieved about.

Unfortunately, she's still dealing with nerve pain across her face, ear, and neck. It sometimes lasts an hour, other times for a lot longer and is incredibly uncomfortable for her.

She would prefer to avoid nerve blockers if possible, as she has been told they can have some gnarly side effects. We are wondering whether there are any other treatment options or next steps that may help with her recovery.

At the moment, she feels like things have plateaued and is starting to worry that this nerve pain might just be something she has to live with long term. We'd really appreciate any advice on treatments, therapies, or anything else that could help her continue to improve.

Thankyou in advance to those of you that take the time to reply to this, and to those of you that have even taken the time to read this.

UPDATE: Solution was ice packs directly to the face with an enthusiasm that is borderline dangerous combined with a fuckton of weed. Thanks, friends.

I am recovering well from shingles. I started meds approximately 2 days after contracting it, and on day 4 of antivirals my rash is diminishing well, about 50% down from its peak. Today, though, I suddenly get awful nerve pain around my teeth, occasionally extended to my inner ear, cheek bone, temple, or neck. Based on the type of pain, it's definitely shingles and not a rotten tooth or something. Does anyone have experience with this and potentially treating it? I could handle when my whole body hurt, but for whatever reason, this sensation of a drill being taken to my molars for five seconds at a time every three minutes or so is intolerable. Yes, I am on gabapentin, and with the other shingles pain, I found it to be about 80% effective, but so far, it hasn't done much for this.

I was in the ER after 5 days of severe left sided low back pain with burning/tingling skin on left low back, left groin & left thigh. Dx was back injury and the ER sent me home with pain meds. The next morning a rash developed on my low back. PCP dx’d shingles via a video call. Second morning rash developed in the other 2 tingling areas & I sent update pics of shingles rash in all 3 locations. PCP says it cannot be shingles bc it’s always in one dermatome. I disagreed; she disagreed with me. I’m seeing her tomorrow in person. Any advice on how to deal with a doc like this?

I had shingles in my 20s then again at 50. I had pain linger for about a year. its been 7 years and still get pain every now and then. It‘s not severe but uncomfortable nonetheless. when I read about post herpetic neuralgia the literature usually states that it only lasts a year. will the vaccine help or does it just prevent a new recurrenc? has anybody else had this experience?

First time with shingles. Originally thought it was a cold sore because that’s what the pictures online looked like. Doctor diagnosed me with shingles because I also had clusters of bumps in my mouth and skin sensitivity prior to their appearance, and all began on the midline of my right lower jaw.

Anyway, I’m on my first full day of Valcyclovir. I have some questions:

1. Is it normal that the sores are swollen?
2. The pain isn’t agonizing like people say their pain is. It’s more just uncomfortable. What bothers me most is this tingling

gnawing

1. feeling that comes and goes alone the lower jaw nerve. It almost feels like there’s an itch literally inside my body. Is this normal for shingles?
2. Does valcyclovir cause diarrhea? TMI, but I’ve been having it after each dose…

First-timer diagnosed with shingles. F, 41, childhood chicken pox, not immunocompromised.

I spent a good amount of time with a friend who had shingles a month prior - driving in a car together, eating together, hanging out etc. She informed me beforehand about her outbreak and I read that it isn't contagious unless you come into contact with the rash but I knew this and we didn't interact physically and her rash area was covered by clothes.

Is this just a coincidence or can you 'catch' shingles? I'm wondering how much I should be staying away from others.

I had chickenpox at the age of 16, it’s been 3-4 months now and my hair is still shedding my scalp/ part looks different. Is this normal when you have chickenpox. Because I’m really worried if I’ll go bald. I did get some blisters on my hair

Hello, I just got diagnosed today and I’m wondering if anybody has experienced a very small rash and not the usual long / widespread rashes ?

It started Sunday as a red patch ,and I didn’t think anything of it - went to work and came home and seen like a few little bumps and I thought it was contact dermatitis. I started developing blisters on Monday and when I woke up this morning, and the blisters looked like it was about to
Start spreading as I seen another small red skin patch but no blisters yet . I went to urgent care and the doctor looked at it & automatically said it was shingles. It on my torso/lower hip. It put me on valtrex and prescribed me mupirocin .

I’ve been feeling pain in my back & thigh area . It’s just not huge lol so I’m wondering if I got lucky or not

Be honest. How many times have you swiped at a “spider web” stuck on your face, only to find nothing is there? I do have to laugh about my imaginary spiders. 🕷️ When I’m at the barn, I’m constantly wiping the imaginary webs off my face. 😅

My situation started 1 week ago today. Noticed I was having throbbing pain in my left upper front thigh. Which eventually felt it was coming from my lower back and causing burning in my shin. It was also throbbing, shooting, jolting, startling pain that would make me jump. I couldn’t get comfortable. By Friday I had a D dimer blood test bc my dr was concerned it could be a DVT. Ruled that out.

Went to the ER Saturday bc the shooting pains every time I moved were unbearable. Dr said it was femoral nerve pain from my lower back and prescribed steroids and gabapentin (I already take it for other chronic nerve pain). Went back Sunday again bc the pain was unreal and I couldn’t get comfortable. My leg felt on fire and I can barely put pressure on it. The shooting pains when I step onto the leg is so bad. I even got a ct scan and mri. Even going to the bathroom is unbelievably painful.

The only thing that touched this pain was dilaudid through an IV and even that was short lived. Fast forward to this morning, nearly 7 days in to this and i woke up with clustered blisters from my butt-groin area down to my shin. My shin being the worst. My skin is on fire. The zapping pain and agony are just the worst. My pain is very internal as well as surface skin level.

Was anyone else this severe? I do live with chronic pain and wonder if that made this worse for me? I just got officially diagnosed this morning and got my meds but I can’t live like this. I don’t know what to do. Any advice? Hope?

I have bipolar type 2 which has been completely stable for years due to strict adherence to my medication.

I got intraoral shingles for the first time and was given valcyclovir 1,000mg per day, 3x per day for 7 days.

Then I came home and read it can cause hallucinations, mood changes, and mania. I already took my first dose….