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What next....good lord it's Shingles.....

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Larasmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 876
Posted 5/29/2013 10:20 AM (GMT -7)
As if emergency surgery, ICU, induced coma, loop ileo wasn't enough, now I have shingles. Guess being on Humira and having no immune system, I was bound to end up with something. I am on the anti viral meds for seven days and home from work for the rest of this week.

What next.....this really hurts and I have been feeling more sorry for myself the last three days than I did after my surgery......



confused sad
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Probiotic
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 2832
Posted 5/29/2013 10:28 AM (GMT -7)
So sorry to hear that! My wife went through shingles a few years back- the antiviral meds did kick in and after a week or so it got much more bearable, and from then on better week by week to nothing at all eventually. Hang in there, hope you feel better soon.
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ByeByeUC
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 4586
Posted 5/29/2013 10:30 AM (GMT -7)
Oh boy I had shingles once when I was on remicade. Sooooo painful. Yes, it's because of your compromised immune system. The meds should knock it out quick. Feel better!
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ActiveUCer
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 1685
Posted 5/29/2013 2:00 PM (GMT -7)
I'm so sorry. It's sometimes one thing after another :(

I had Shingles last year, got some anti-vitals too. My doctor also prescribed lidocain patches. They helped somewhat. What helped the most was icepacks. I don't think cooling necessarily helped anything, but the coolness kind of "occupied" the nerves as far as I could tell and decreased the pain.

Be very careful that you don't get any ruptured blisters just because of secondary infection risk.

Soo sorry. I hope you feel better soon!
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Pluot
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2012
Posts : 2500
Posted 5/29/2013 2:21 PM (GMT -7)
UGH, that sucks, I'm so sorry!!!

After my first surgery I had some burning nerve pain around my midsection that was briefly suspected to be shingles because of my immunosuppression. The pain team offered me neurontin which is supposed to relieve the nerve pain of shingles. Maybe you could ask your doctor about trying that?
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summerstorm
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2006
Posts : 6575
Posted 5/29/2013 5:38 PM (GMT -7)
Oh no! Shingles are horrible. I had them when I was like 6 or 7 and I still remember it. It's miserable. I hope you get better right away!
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Another UC wife
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 2111
Posted 5/29/2013 6:17 PM (GMT -7)
Oh No! I hope you have a mild case of it. My Mom did years ago and didn't suffer too terribly and not long. I hope that is the case for you.

I was so fearful of this happening after his surgery if he were to get it and its impact with the wafer if they broke out in that area.

Hubby and I got the zostavax shot as soon as possible which wasn't until 6 months after his surgery as he could not have it while he was on Imuran. His GI DR said it would be ok to get it after the 6 months passed. Other UC meds obviously impact not being able to get the shot as well if you are still on them.

I know the shot is on the expensive side but my advice would be if and when it is safe to do so and someone is able to get it (age requirement???) it would be a good idea.

Just not fair to have these additional things compounding and making recuperation even more difficult.

{{{Hugs}}} and hang in there. So sorry.
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Larasmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 876
Posted 5/30/2013 2:58 AM (GMT -7)
I have a couple of patches, the one on my back isn't bad, it's the one on the front of my leg, hip area where my panties run....ouch.

Day three today of the antiviral meds and I am going to see my naturopath at noon. She said she has some anti-inflammatory stuff for me that apparently helps. So will see what she says. The pain pills that she gave me aren't helping either.

Had a little cry last night. This just sucks.
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Another UC wife
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 2111
Posted 5/30/2013 6:15 AM (GMT -7)
Can you try to see if there are any silky boxer type shorts you can get a few pairs of??? Even if it is the men's type if not in ladies. I'm sure just the gentle pressure of the elastic on the panties is enough to give a lot of pain. HOpe it gets easier and easier each day.
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Larasmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 876
Posted 5/30/2013 6:34 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks Another UC wife. Heading out to find just that this morning!
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Larasmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 876
Posted 6/3/2013 8:28 AM (GMT -7)
Well after 7 days on the medication and a concoction of a lotion from the naturopath (thank god for her) the rash is starting to heal. I spoke with my GI this morning and I am not to resume the Humira until two weeks after the rash is cleared up. So I guess it will be a while before my next injection.

On the good news side of things, my appt for either a reconnect (doubtful) or a permanent ileo has been moved from the end of October to the beginning of September! Good news!

k
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Another UC wife
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 2111
Posted 6/3/2013 12:34 PM (GMT -7)
so happy to hear you are at least getting relief from the shingles pain and discomfort
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Alive and Well
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2013
Posts : 78
Posted 6/4/2013 6:21 AM (GMT -7)
Sorry to hear about the setback LM but remain optimistic about the reconnection. It happened for me and I thought I was the last candidate for  reversal. Who is your doctor in Ottawa? Mine was Robin Boushey and I hope you're fortunate enough to have him or someone as skilled.

Bruce

 

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Larasmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 876
Posted 6/4/2013 8:46 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Bruce! Dr. Boushey is my Dr and I LOVE HIM! He saved my life in August and I am looking forward to the appt in September. He is such an amazing dr and so compassionate. His team is amazing as well.
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Alive and Well
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2013
Posts : 78
Posted 6/5/2013 5:38 AM (GMT -7)
You're in good hands !! I saw him last week and he told me to get out of his office and come back in a year ! I told him it looked as though he had performed a second miracle. I don't know how the man does it....he seems to be everywhere at once.... I wish you all the best.

Bruce
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Another UC wife
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 2111
Posted 6/5/2013 5:55 AM (GMT -7)
So happy you have a doctor you love and has such a great track record!
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Larasmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 876
Posted 6/5/2013 11:08 AM (GMT -7)
Oh meeee tooooo!

I can't wait to go back and see him and tell him how he has changed my life. I am not even worried about the next surgery. I trust him completely.

Bruce, since we are both in Ottawa we should grab a Tim's sometime! My email is in my profile.

k
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