Shingles is nature's way of telling you that you might feel and look young, but you aren't. Getting ready for 70 next year, sure enough, I got it in my eye despite having the old, less effective vaccine about 6 years ago.
5 weeks now, finally off the Prednisone which was making me crazy even by my standards. I expect to get full use of the eye in about 2-3 months. 13 doctor's visits, an MRI and a follow-up MRA so far. My version was unusual--three recorded examples of it. The strange part (and good news) was that 2 of the 3 nerves it hit were not pain receptive.
Nevertheless, long, strong doses of Prednisone (I now know) make me paranoid and simulate bipolar issues. And the withdrawal from it gave me pain elsewhere--arms, legs, back.
Anyway, there is now a much more effective vaccine that was just approved. It has a day's worth of side effects. Nevertheless, if you are over 50 or have a compromised immune system, such as with diabetes, and if you ever had chicken pox, you need to get the new vaccine when you can find it. NY Times article attached.
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My Mom had a horrible case in her 80 's. It ain't pleasant.
No in her eye
Dinner some time? Do you have my new e-mail? I don't think Bill2 does, if you have, can you send it to him, or send me his?
Thanks.
Never had chicken pox, or measles, mumps, etc... Wouldn't enjoy it now at all. But no chance of shingles! I think...
Dinner some time? Do you have my new e-mail? I don't think Bill2 does, if you have, can you send it to him, or send me his?
Thanks.
just emailed both of you at the most recent emails I have for you ...
The advances. Hang in there and hope Most of this is behind you.
Feel better!
turned out it was shingles. looked like that snake was going to break through the skin and crawl out like in a horror movie.
I guess the eye is worse than that, but he was in a lot of pain regardless.
get well.
Thanks for the information on the new vaccine. I will check with my doctor.
The worst is definitely over. Pain nearly gone, off the steroids, but the eye opens poorly and I will have to tape over my right eyeglass lens until I stop seeing double in a couple of months. The worst part for me after about 10 days was the Prednisone. And sleeping poorly, partly from the Prednisone.
By the way, one of the things that helped with the pain (without doctor's recommendation, but placed very carefully) was a TENS machine. I kept the pads will below the eye, but it helped a lot. Wore it for a couple of hours a day for three weeks.
To the well-wishers--thanks.
Had it right in the middle of my forehead too. And passed it to my 1yr son as chicken pox.
Had it right in the middle of my forehead too. And passed it to my 1yr son as chicken pox.
Old is being forgetful. I was 35. :-)
I have had an immune problem for most of my life: 5-9 sinus infections a year for 40+ years, and I am diabetic and almost 70. So, no, I don't think this was about stress. But I could be wrong. So could you.
I'm having pain and blurred vision in my right eye that my ophthalmologist hasn't figured out. My younger brother ( 57 yr old ) just got over shingles. I also had a nasty case of the chicken pox when I was a kid so maybe I'm a little paranoid.