Posted on: 23 February 2023
This Shingles Awareness Week, Mike Waddington, CNWL's Director of Communications, shares his experience of being diagnosed with shingles.
"Last October/November I thought I'd pulled a muscle in my back and to save NHS time I booked to see a Physio.
He quickly confirmed I had not pulled anything but a rash was appearing; his letter referred me to the cancer pathway (!)which was quickly rubbished by my GP to whom I sent a photo; she diagnosed Shingles.
Apparently, the name comes from the Latin description for 'belt' as they spread around you. In the following days the rash erupted across my right-hand side, from my belly button and round my back.
Also, the name for some reason, reminds me of odd terms like 'the vapours', something semi-serious perhaps?
Couldn't be more wrong! It was very painful (sore, burning) and very uncomfortable; I couldn't get warm and my mood sunk....
The pain was soon eased by the anti-virals I was prescribed - it healed fast and I found a hot bath soothed them.
What I didn't realise was that the anti-virials are actually to reduce the PHN - postherpetic neuralgia - that can follow on, in some cases for months.
I am now in my fourth month of PHN and no creams, unguents, or medications worked for me (not at the dosage I could work with; an anti-depressant can be used to reduce the pain and the dose increased, but it can make you groggy; I felt I needed to warn people I might be found slumped over my desk....) - though of late a TENS machine (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) for £30 helps soothe the pain and is recommended by the NHS.
Commuting is a nightmare and painful in the crush of people in the small spaces modern carriages provide.
I was susceptible from my age (over 50, actually 65 in my case), possibly my immune system being a bit low following an operation (that went wrong) and a particularly difficult house move that only a devious twisted mind could have created ....
It can at times ruin your life - as any long-term persistent pain does - difficulty sleeping and the energy required to keep up your spirits is exhausting; the condition drags you down and sucks the enjoyment out of your day and your relationships.
So ... if you've had chickenpox as a child and are now over 50 ,watch out for small, sore or tingling, rashes - the earlier it is found the quicker treatment can start and the faster the pain reduces.
My sympathy to fellow sufferers but help spread the word; Shingles is serious".
For more information about Shingles, visit the Understanding Shingles website and the NHS website.