2011-08-23 02:14:04 +0000 #1
Yikes - I've joined the shingles club. This is the most painful thing I've ever experienced and I would not wish this on anyone. I'm on the appropriate medications but have a couple weeks of blisters and pain to get through.
There is a shingles vaccine out there and until recently it has been recommended only for people over 60. My Doctor said that it has been so successful that the CDC has recently lowered the age to 50.
Anyone who ever had chicken pox, whether as a child or an adult, harbors the dormant virus in their bodies forever. Then perhaps in times of stress, or exposure to chicken pox or shingles from a friend or family member, it awakens and socks you with the most unbearable pain and blisters that you can ever imagine.
And to add insult to injury, you can get shingles twice, or thrice, or more. Or its more virulent and rare derivative, Ramsey-Hunt syndrome which attacks your face and ears. My sister had that last year. Hence I was waiting to turn 60 in a few months so I could get the vaccine.
GET THE VACCINE. Yes, it is expensive, but some insurance plans may cover it. My Dr. said that Medicare does not cover it, so best to get it before you go on Medicare.
I'm quite sure that anyone you ask who has had shingles will agree that if there is a way to avoid it, to do so at any cost.
I have to wait to get the vaccine until I'm all cleared up but once that happens I will be running to the Dr. to get it.
GET THE SHINGLES VACCINE!
There is a shingles vaccine out there and until recently it has been recommended only for people over 60. My Doctor said that it has been so successful that the CDC has recently lowered the age to 50.
Anyone who ever had chicken pox, whether as a child or an adult, harbors the dormant virus in their bodies forever. Then perhaps in times of stress, or exposure to chicken pox or shingles from a friend or family member, it awakens and socks you with the most unbearable pain and blisters that you can ever imagine.
And to add insult to injury, you can get shingles twice, or thrice, or more. Or its more virulent and rare derivative, Ramsey-Hunt syndrome which attacks your face and ears. My sister had that last year. Hence I was waiting to turn 60 in a few months so I could get the vaccine.
GET THE VACCINE. Yes, it is expensive, but some insurance plans may cover it. My Dr. said that Medicare does not cover it, so best to get it before you go on Medicare.
I'm quite sure that anyone you ask who has had shingles will agree that if there is a way to avoid it, to do so at any cost.
I have to wait to get the vaccine until I'm all cleared up but once that happens I will be running to the Dr. to get it.
GET THE SHINGLES VACCINE!