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Shingles

I have not posted for a very long time. I had a bone marrow transplant 4.5 years ago and have been attending clinic on a 3 monthly basis. Earlier this year my consultant took me off valaciclovir and told me that I was almost certain to get shingles.

Three weeks ago I started to get that itchy feeling and knew that it was the inevitable shingles arriving. I started back on valaciclovir as directed and paracetamol.

The rash took hold around my waist and after two weeks I rang the hospital who said that I should take amitriptyline. My GP prescibed this along with co-dydramol.

The pain is awful and I can't stand the itchy feeling. I find it difficult to sleep and I can't bear anything to touch my skin. I have been signed off work today for 1 week. I despair with my GP she told me that it probably wasn't anything to do with my bmt, that it looked like an allergy rash and that I should go to work as it would take my mind off it, I can't even bear my clothes touching my skin!!!!!!!!!!!! I seem to spend most of the time rubbing it and feeling that uncomfortable that I can't concentrate on any work.

Has anyone else experienced this (I'm sure there are many)and how was it dealt with and more importantly how long does it last?

Janice

Hello Janice....... so sorry you are suffering with this but it is very common post bmt/sct. I had shingles in the same place... around 1.5 years after my sct. I was having homeopathic therapy at the time and I think this helped as although the blisters looked very bad and quite severe, I did not suffer too much itching or pain. The attack lasted for around 4 weeks and then started to resolve. I have been left with some small patches of lighter coloured skin where the blisters were.
I suggest that you try some sort of complementary therapy like homeopathy which would help to strengthen your immune system.... also if you are not doing so already, I suggest you try vitamin and minersal supplements, particularly of vit B (full B complex) and high dose C.
hope all resolves itself sooner rather than later,
best wishes,
Sandy