I have "SHINGLES". I was by the Doctor that it is a mild case. What is a mild case? It hurts like H*ll!! Their right it is mild and I gave seen it before and it was bad. I just have a 3 inch by 1 inch patch that is red and painful when you put the cream on it, but it is the other nerve pain that really hurts. It just grabs you and takes your breath away. That area is about 1 ft by 2 feet. No rash it is under the skin pain. Dr. Says to much stress get rid of it. Lower your stress level. Ha ha ha. Sure Doc right now. Just snap my finger and there STRESS is gone from my life. No more shingles, no more tears, no more dementia!!! Yesterday was DH's birthday and I wasn't able to go to the residence. Contagious I was told so our daughter and Grandaughter went for lunch. She brought his favourite cake and took pictures. He was very upset because I wasn't there but it all went well. I spoke to him during the day and he was alright. Everyone wished him a happy birthday wherever he went. I have to stay in until the rash clears as so many kiddies can get chicken pox I guess older folks can as well. Oh well! Here I sit until this passes! DH is progressing but much less aggression. Calmer and for some reason is happy, happy, happy. Memory is not good now and he sleeps quite a lot. He is very tired. He gets very frightened and asks what is wrong with him. Needs lots of hugs.
We all know stress can be a killer or at the very least cause medical problems. Look at how many of us gained weight from the stress, or have high blood pressure?
I looked into getting the shingles vaccine. My husband had it. With my history of vaccines I worry. I had the flu shot and was sick all winter. I was listening to doctors on the Sunday morning FOX program last year. They all agreed it is only 50% effective. Those that get it after the vaccine have a lighter case. According to the three that were talking, 50-60 have the best results of protection. 60-70 50% effective, 70-80 25% effective, after 80 there are no real benefits. I read another place where in your 50s you have the greatest chance of getting shingles. As you age, the chances go down. The lady next door who is in her mid50s had it last summer on her face. The worst part for her was staying away from her grandkids - more painful the shingles itself.
Why will I be better by Thursday? Because I have to be! Kevan is having his left eye corneal transplant in a few months and the Doctor has to relieve the pressure on Thursday with laser treatment. I have no one to take him but me. The residence is short of volunteers so if I hire someone it will cost a fortune. The Docotor is over booked so we will likely be sitting there for hours. I checked with the hospital and since I have no fluid coming from the sores I am not contagious now. I only have three very small spots that loo like large mosquito bites. I was told it was caused by Caregiver and family related stress. If you have had chicken pox when you were little make sure you get your shingles shot. It is pricey here but worth it. I was trying to get an appointment to get one but I was to late.
Everything went fine. We only had to wait 30 minutes past his appointment time. He had his laser hole in his eye and that relieved the pressure so now we wait as he is number 34 on the list. They think it will be done sometime mid summer. He is doing fine. Memory both short and now long term is deteriorating but he is still leading all the singing. Sometimes he is asked to take over for all an events but he has said no as he just can't commit any more and it is just to much pressure now, but he still get everyone singing when he can.