Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Lucky me...

So about a week ago I began to have some pain under my arm and by the side of my chest. It would come and go and sometimes was super painful. I thought maybe it was swollen lymph nodes, but I couldn't feel any. Plus, it felt more like nerve pain, if that makes sense. I was beginning to wonder if something more serious was going on. Then the other day, out of the blue, I broke out in a bumpy, red, horribly itchy and painful rash. Right where the pain had been. I googled pictures of rashes and found one that looked exactly like mine and found out that I'm 99% sure I have...

Shingles


Are you kidding me? I thought this was something that older people get! I didn't really know about shingles, but have found out that it comes from the chicken pox virus which lays dormant in your body. It can be triggered by things such as stress. I don't know how in the world I ended up with it! LOL

I have a new empathy for anyone that has dealt with this. The pain can be horrible and even just the slightest brush against my skin can feel like sandpaper. However, as I looked at other images of people with shingles, I felt so grateful that my outbreak is relatively small AND it's not anywhere near my face. And don't worry-- you can't spread shingles-- but I can give someone chicken pox that hasn't had it before--crazy!

Apparently there's not a great cure, so I'm trying to find one of my own. This morning I tried to see if eating three raspberry-filled, powdered sugar doughnuts for breakfast would help with the pain. I think it just may have... (:

So... yeah.

Shingles.

Just what I needed.

--Christianne

12 comments:

  1. And so you and Jeremy got away together to come to Jeff and Audri's reception, and at the same time you were hurting--with Shingles. Please take care, and be sure to rest (is that a joke?) but you must find time for yourself everyday--to keep your love buckets full. You have the best children and HUSBAND, but nevertheless, there is stress. Wish I had a natural remedy. Sure love you and it was the best to see you cousins reuniting at the wedding. Love

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  2. I had shingles when I was 19 and the doctor was surprised I was so young getting them. He said it was probably stress. VERY painful. I hope yours pass soon. They do have a medication that can help with them healing a little quicker. When Don got them 14 years ago the doctor gave him something and his went away a lot quicker than mine did.

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  3. I am feeling for you and sending prayers!!! I too had shingles and it is very painful!! I have scares from it. I would go to the docter for sure! They do have meds and if it goes on too long it can cause perment nerve damage. I ended up having to have nerve blocks. Prayers to you!

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  4. Seriously? Oh man. A few years back, Joe kept complaining, AND complaining, AND, well you get the picture, about his chest and back. I kept telling him I was positive nothing was there, and sure enough..shingles. He said they were so incredibly painful. And yes he made sure he told me that they were stressed induced. I was shocked! Me?! Stressful?! ; ) I am so sorry, hopefully you will recuperate quickly!
    I am going to be one of those obnoxious people and give you his home remedy. Unfortunately, it doesn't taste NEARLY as yummy as a doughnut.
    Apple Cider Vinegar. Seriously knocked those shingles right out of him within a week or two. We swear by the stuff. Heartburn, burns, stings, and SHINGLES! ; )
    Good luck.
    Love ya!
    Lisa

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  5. So sorry you're in pain! Shingles are terrible! I got them when the twins were infants (awesome story). The doctor gave me some antiviral stuff that took care of them pretty quickly. Hope you feel better soon!

    Jessica

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  6. oh my gosh those are so so painful. Our little Caroline got them when she was 19 months. It was the saddest thing. There is a shot out now if you catch them early enough! Oh girl please take it easy and get lots and lots of sleep. I would hate it if you had a second outbreak. Take care of yourself wish I was there to help you.

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  7. Call your doctor right away! The sooner they give you the medicine, the sooner they will go away.

    My mom just had shingles about a month ago and her doctor got her on the meds right away and they were gone in about 2 weeks. Without medicine right away they can linger for months!

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  8. Good luck with the shingles. Hope you feel better soon - like you need this on top of everything you're trying to make happen right now. My prayers are with you.

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  9. So that whole weekend you didn't even happen to mention it??? I'm SORRY!!!!!!!!!
    BUT, in your words (sort of)
    Of course you got shingles. Of course. ;-)

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  10. What more can you handle, Christianne???? I am so sorry! I hope you are feeling better!!!

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  11. been there, done that.

    I hope your clears quickly. My doc even tried lidacane patches for me and it didn't even touch the pain.

    I'm so sorry :-(

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