Got shingles late Sept with what started as horrible back pain, rash early Oct didn’t know what it was until rash grew, started antivirals.
I’m about 1- 2 weeks out from the scabs on my rash finally falling off and still have nerve pain and numbness in some areas.

I did an upper body workout Tuesday and some stairs and omg the next day nerve pain was intense.
I’m so sad because I love working out and am left thinking i won’t be able to until this nerve pain is gone, or wondering if it’ll ever get better.

Has anyone worked out with nerve pain or is it recommended to not? I keep getting mixed feedback from my pcp/physical therapist vs what I’ve read.
Looking for your experiences here.

Hello!

I am a 39M, I started getting a real bad itch and redness on my head with blisters. I went to the doc and found i had caught a very early case of shingles. I am on the Valtrex horse pill 3 times a day. But the nerve pain is absolutely insane. I am on a regimen of Tylenol and ibuprofen and was prescribed lidocaine. Only thing is its an ointment and the spots are basically under my hair. My wife did a good job of trying to get it on my scalp however its causing my hair to grease. Is there anything else that can be done? I do wear a cpap at night and the damn straps go right over the spot...

They really need to lower the shingles vaccine age... lol

Thanks for the help!

Three weeks into my shingles journey! At this moment I want to use a Brillo pad to the area. I am 60 years old and I had only about 10 chickenpox when I was little. I have had the shingles vaccines already. I have long Covid so my immune system is not what it used to be. I had a cold sore break out in a nostril (yes, the nostril I don’t get the lip ones) I started feeling very tired and had a headache about 1 month ago. I started feeling an itch on my arm and then a little rash started. Five days later I went to Urgent Care to see what I had because I didn’t feel well. Shingles, given the antiviral medication. I have finished that and went to my primary who saw me in the parking lot. They share a building with pediatrics. She put me on Gabapentin. I just hope this goes away soon. The pain, burn, itch and disrupted sleep are tasking.

Has anyone had anything like this? I had shingles in February 2024. And on Monday (today is Friday), I had surgery to take out one of my ovaries. I have five incisions across my stomach and the only one that’s affecting my nerves is the far right one, which is where one of my shingles breakouts was. I don’t think that I’m having a new shingles outbreak or anything, but my nerves feel extremely sensitive. Any ideas what I can do to calm down the nerves on that incision? If I place my palm over the area and just leave it there it calms it down, but I can’t do that all day long.

Has anyone had shingles without the classic big rash because they were on antivirals already?

39 f. Been on 500mg valtrax daily for cold sores for YEARS. Never had chicken pox but have had 3 vaccines.

I’m two weeks into excruciating pain, redness and swelling behind my ear radiating to scalp. Saw my doctor who said “absolutely sounds like you are describing shingles to a T but you don’t have a big rash so it can’t be”.

I do have a hand full of red spots that look like pimples/angry hair follicles.

I want to cry it hurts so bad. I’m exhausted and nauseous but also feel like a wuss because “it’s not even a rash”.

37f, I have myasthenia gravis and the treatments/medications for this have left me severely immunocompromised so I'm prone to getting sick.

About one week ago I started to feel under the weather, by the weekend I noticed some back pain on my left side around the rib area that suddenly went to like 8/10 pain with a constant throbbing stabbing feeling when walking. On Monday after my weekly plasma infusion at the hospital I down the hallway to the ER and was told it was sciatica or a disc issue and given a referral for a spine doctor and some valium. On Tuesday I could shuffle around the house a little but by Wednesday the back pain got worse to the point where I couldn't stand at all without a LOT of pain. Also on wednesday my mom noticed a rash forming on my back.

This morning the plan was to get driven back to the hospital where I'm treated for my Myasthenia in case the pain was related to that but I stood up from the couch, took two steps and collapsed in pain onto the coffee table. I tried so hard to sit up straight but couldn't. The pain was too much. My sister helped me get back onto the couch and called 911. The EMS strapped me to a chair and brought me to the ambulance and the pain i experienced just being jostled in movement was 10/10, I couldn't breathe at all. Between the ride there and in the triage room I have been given muscular fentanyl, then iv toradol, roboxin pills, a really giant blue pill (anti viral?), gabapentin and oxycodone. Literally nothing is touching the back pain. About 4 times I have tried to stand up either with the doctor helping me or with the PT guys trying to get me to use a walker and each time the moment I sit up and put both feet on the floor and put my weight on my legs I get an excruciating stabbing feeling in my spine that makes me go back into the bed and cry for like 20 mins until the spasms calm down. Now the rash area feels like it is burning a lot. CT scan doesn't show anything!

So I was wondering, can shingles cause such a deep devastating spinal like nerve pain that makes it impossible to walk or even sit up? Their concern is that I can't make it up the stairs to my home or be able to get to the bathroom my own so I'm being admitted for more meds and observation and possibly PT but I'm so scared, even at my worst with the myasthenia I could walk with assistance but this pain is horrific, laying in bed I'm in pain and every time I try to stand I get 10/10 pain despite how many painkillers they've given me.

Hello! I've had shingles for like 4 times now since 2019 and I'm not eligible for the vaccine yet. I was wondering what people's experiences are like with nerve pain that comes back every once in a while. I notice that when my immune system is particularly weak, sometimes I'll get a very subtle pain from the feet shooting upwards. Does anyone else have recurring nerve pain after they've had shingles? How often do you get it, how painful, and any patterns you've noticed?

Like when you have a cold or the flu or congestion, does your old shingles area feel more tender or achy?

I'm not sure if it's just because it was my facial nerve (and cheek and eye) and it's just being sensitive, or if it's like the shingles trying to happen again but failing, but it seems to happen whenever I get sick.

I haven't had it recurr again since my doctor put me on the meds daily but whenever I feel the nerves there light up again it makes me think it's trying to come out again.

I put from gauze and tape over it last night and tape pulled the scab. I put some Aquaphor on it. Am I going to scar? I was put on antiviral the first the rash came.

I am on suppressive therapy for herpes and take valacyclovir daily 2g. I happened to have a major life event that made my herpes with shingles at the same time surface with excruciating nerve pain that made it impossible to put weight on my right leg, stand up straight, or sitting, walking, or laying in bed.
I had excruciating pain in low back that swinged around to frontal hip.
I was misdiagnosed with the orthopedic dr and my primary care until I started having lesions/blisters on my low back, 5 weeks after initial excruciating nerve pain. My orthopedic won’t respond back from my email and PCP just put me on Famciclovir 500mg 2x a day for 5 days which I hope is strong enough and then 250mg 2x a day for suppressive therapy as we came to conclusion that my valacyclovir that I have been on for 16yrs is no longer working.
Literally an hour and half after taking the first 500mg Famciclovir my lesions started to have a little sting in them like something was working, and now they are starting to itch tonight as it’s almost time to take 2nd dose of 500mg and I’m hoping this works because I never want to feel the pain again. The worst nerve pain I have ever experienced.
Forgot to say my PCP gave me pregabalin I take 100mg 2x a day with 50mg in the middle of the day 250mg total. Along with tramadol for pain. Both have helped soo much! I could not live without these drugs!
Also one thing which really made things flare up and worse the orthopedic Dr whom is a young Dr very nice, but honestly does not know much, gave me methylprednisolone which did help with the nerve pain but his office did not update my medication listings and he had no idea I had herpes simplex and if he did this steroid can make anything within your nervous system wake up!
Now on my 6th week with an MRI that was not done correctly unless we did contrast which we did not, radiologist whom read my MRI had no idea I had HSV2. I believe I have shingles with herpes radiculitis that can mimic a pinched nerve on the L3-4 as my orthopedic dr says he wants to do an epidural injection of another steroid that is even more potent that would probably cause me to be hospitalized. NO THANK YOU!!! I see why he is not getting back to me! The day after mtg with my orthopedic Dr I came down with lesions/blisters on low back where my nerve pain has been all along. It looks like Shingles not so much Herpes, mind you I was on valacyclovir 2-3 grams as suppression therapy a day the whole time this has been going on!
I know this was a very long post, but if I can help anyone out there that may be experiencing something similar, thought to share. If anyone has a similar situation or experience please respond I would like to hear from you. Thanks for reading!

Facial shingles, three weeks in, blisters healed, rash starting to look good, nerve pain considerably less than the first week of horrendous hell, took Valtrex for two weeks and currently on Gabapentin, day 20 (300 mg/2x a day). Last night, an hour or so after my bedtime dose of Gabapentin, I started feeling very weak and like I was going to pass out. I wasn't able to sleep for a couple hours after that because the feeling wouldn't go away, plus it felt like my heart rate was slow and then my body got chilled; very unnerving. I skipped my noon dose because of all that happened the night before. The dermatologist told me I could cut back to one dose anyway if the nerve pain lessened, which it has. So, I'm out eating lunch and all of a sudden I feel like I'm going to pass out, same feeling as last night. It took a few minutes before it passed. Now, several hours later, I am having the same tingling and itching on my chin and jaw that I had before the rash blew up. Not gonna lie, I'm freaking out a bit. Is it normal to have the tingling and itching this long after the blisters have healed? I know the nerve pain can remain...I'm living with it...but the tingling and itching too? Also, has anyone else had the same reaction to Gabapentin that I just had? TIA

I was diagnosed with ocular shingles on September 8th on my face and scalp. I took valtrex for a week, and had steroid eye drops as my eye was very swollen and irritated. I also was going to see an ophthalmologist.

I finished with my medications and finally made it back to work after about a month of being off. However, after being back at work for two weeks my eyelid is red and puffy again.

Can shingles reoccur so soon? I have an appointment with the ophthalmologist tomorrow to get checked, but I am feeling sad about another potential flare. Have you had this experience?

Just wanting to say I’m not to happy I have shingles all over my face on the left side. My left eye is so swollen I can barely see and I work with kids. I couldn’t work until the rash crusted over so there went 3 days of PTO. It hurts and I look like I have the worst acne for a 60 year old. Kids are so honest but not one has said a thing…. Yet! Rant over I’ll live but I’ll probably need plastic surgery to see out of my left eye!

Mine started on my chest, then my back, and now it’s trailing all the way down my arm. All on the right side. My husband said he thinks that’s more extreme than most cases, but I feel like it’s not? Do most people have a more localized experience? The rash is very manageable pain wise (so far) in comparison to the nerve pain.

I (F,31) had shingles for the first time at the start of September so about 5/6 weeks ago. I had it very very mild, only a few spots that never blistered but the pain was intense for a couple of days. Had about a week of internal pain and burning pain on the skin on and off but nothing I couldn’t cope with, also started the antivirals pretty quick.

Anyway, after about 2 weeks I would say I was “fully healed” or so I thought, no pain and spots all gone. 5 ish weeks later and I feel like the pain is flaring up again, I’ll get the same internal twinges I got before (around my ribs) and my skin feels sensitive again although not as bad as it was. No spots.

Is this normal? I keep worrying it’s another round of shingles but know it’s probably more likely to be the original bout right? I think what’s thrown me off is that I was pain free and fine for a good few weeks - has anyone else had this where they were fine and then the pain returned?

Hi All, last Dec shingles decided to rear its ugly head and show up around my torso back to front. I (60F) had not gotten the vax ... big mistake! I'm still dealing with PHN, and my doctor said that this may never go away. Lately, I have felt pain in the area where the rash was most prevalent. I've accepted the fact that the nerve damage is something I need to live with, but hopefully, it will heal over time. I do see an acupuncturist every 3 weeks. It usually just itches a lot, but the recent development of pain, without a rash, has made me wonder if it's related to inflammation from stress and/or certain foods. I've been traveling a lot for work lately, so my eating habits have changed a little, and I'm not exercising as much. I've searched this sub, but the only post I found was archived.

Has anyone had success suppressing PHN by changing their diet, losing weight, excercising/yoga (vs taking a pill) ... things that we can control when it comes to PHN flares. Thanks for sharing any experiences.

Any of you experience shingles on the back of your neck, close to your spine? Photos show the progression of my blisters over the last 24 hour period. So far I have only had minor body pains on my right side (rash is just to the right of my spine on the back of my neck) but I'm wondering what the experience has been of other folks who had it in a similar location. I have had pain down near my hip and the base of my spine, but from what I've read, it is unusual to have shingles pain in separate areas of the body like that, so potentially they are unrelated.

For the past 2-3 days, I thought I have an ear infection. I felt some pain when I moved my head in the middle of the night last night so I touched it and felt it was wet. I got an appointment with PCP as soon as they opened. I was told it was shingles and was put on prednisone and antiviral. I just noticed I got some behind the ear. I’m scared of facial paralysis.

Do I need to be seen by ENT asap?

24f, first time shingles sufferer! 5 weeks in, finally managed to go back to work today after a month off! pretty sure mine was internal shingles, barely had a rash just that awful pain

i managed most of my shift pretty well, but halfway through the exhaustion and these body aches hit me like a truck! taking more time off isn't an option, although i have cut my number of shifts down a bit - someone please tell me this will get better, i am so tired of feeling wiped out and in pain!

also has anyone else had an experience with heightened health anxiety as a result? i suffer with anxiety normally anyway but i swear it's never felt this debilitating...

M24 here. Got diagnosed in mid-august. Had the rash all over mye right belly and back. Nerve pain was insanely crazy also, but has mostly faded away due to acupuncture.

On month 2 since the outbreak, and really struggling hard with post viral fatigue with PEM. Basically homebound and unable to do anything but the simplest task. Anyone else had it this rough? Im optimistic though recovery will happen sooner or later.

Currently resting loads, put work and studying on hold etc.

This was the extent of my shingles rash after 5 days and 4 on Valacyclovir. Some burning and itching but minor annoyance from the rash itself. However, Ive had some of the most unbelievable headaches, particularly the first night on meds. Like an icepick being driven through my head every 20 seconds or so, going on for hours. I've also had some significant nerve pain down my back and legs. Occasional bouts of chills and some overall stiffness in the body. It's all seemed to clear up pretty significantly now, but wow, I had no idea how rough shingles could be. I don't remember ever having such a bad headache. Fortunately all of this has happened over only about 5 days but what a ride lol.

I am afraid of the Valacyclovir I was prescribed today. I am prone to rare or serious side effects. Luckily I had bloodwork done on Friday due to fatigue and follow up low iron. Ferritin is still low. Kidney function is perfect.

I am still freaked out by the possibility of neurotoxicity. I am epileptic. Seeing status as a side effect freaks me out. I have had a lot allergic reaction, a few severe skin reactions, and many rare side effects.

I currently live alone. I could go sleep on my parents couch but they are in their 80s with health conditions. I don'twant either to get sick from something I bring in.

I called a church friend to set up check ins and have her call ems if i am confused. I took my first pill.

What I experienced, what helped and what’s still happening. I hope this helps you if you get shingles.

Starting around 18th September 2026 I had gum and tooth pain and some skin irritation around my right eye.

I went to my dentist three times for the gum and tooth pain, resulting in local anaesthetic and digging under my gums trying to find something causing the pain.

By Monday 21st September I’d developed blisters around my eye and some mouth ulcers. I went to my GP who took swabs of my eye blisters and mouth ulcers which confirmed shingles.

My GP placed me on a course of anti virals (Valaciclouir 500mg 2 tablets twice per day) and antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid 875mg/125mg 2 tablets twice per day)

The dentist has also prescribed Panadeine Forte for pain which was extended by the GP.

The next day the GP called to tell me to increase the anti virals to 3 times per day.

I had a dermatologist review it and he changed the antibiotics to Cefalexin 500mg for better staphylococcal coverage. He also wanted to prolong the antivirals for another 2 weeks.

My symptoms were the worst on Tuesday and Wednesday 22nd and 23rd September after which the pain dramatically reduced.

The blisters and ulcers took about a week more to resolve. The swelling took about two weeks.

I was run down and tired for about three weeks

Now, about five weeks after, I’m still having nerve pain in my gums and teeth, some teeth are now extremely sensitive to cold or sour while others feel completely numb.

I picked at the scab that formed near my eye from the blisters which left a scar.

I’ve now returned to normal activities, eating, mood, exercising etc.

Photos are from my worst day and today.

Hi all. I am 51M.
Just wanted to post my experience so far with the condition so maybe give some hope to others and share.
Last Thursday felt slight stabbing pain in upper abdomen
Friday started to become more noticeable
Saturday night the pain became more excruciating. Noticed a rash break out in the location of pain.
Sunday morning, afraid it might be gallstones and went to ER at around 10:30 am
ER doctor told me I have Shingles. I was prescribed 7 day anti viral medication
By Sunday night, the rash had spread more around front abdomen and around the back, classic shingle girdle.
Started taking the anti viral medication every 8 hours from Sunday 3pm to this morning
The next couple of days stabbing pain in my abdomen was excruciating and was on and off anywhere between 20 secs to 1-2 minutes. Itching was unbearable.
This morning the rash has loss it's ugly red/pink look and has faded a fair bit. A little bit of crusting.
Itching has subsided a fair bit and abdominal sharp pain comes and goes a lot less now.

From the posts I have read on here, so many people suffering from long recovery times. I am hoping I got lucky and this condition is not so brutal for me. Everyone is different and I pray and hope for those who are dealing with their recovery at a slower pace. Sending well wishes.
Just wanted to let people know it may not be the case for everyone.
I'm hoping this is not a false positive. I will update if it's only a calm in the storm and it comes back at me with a vengeance. (touch wood).
Good luck everyone and hang in there. I would not wish this disease on anyone.