If you need hope, read this
I’m going to attempt to write a post I was desperate to find myself in here when I was in the thick of it. My situation is a little niche due to the location of my shingles and how I’m approaching this, but the message is the same. To start, Here’s a little background: I (36F) was diagnosed with shingles at 28 weeks pregnant just about 5 weeks ago. It took them entirely took long to figure out what it was, it felt like the worst migraine of my life over my right eye with a needle going through my eyeball. I did see an ophthalmologist immediately and thank goodness that came out just fine. However, the anti viral pills were doing nothing for me and I ended up in the hospital on and off for a week receiving IV’s of the medication and monitoring the baby. Thank goodness the baby is doing just fine and the antivirals did their thing. I was left with the absolute worst nerve pain of my entire life. I have never felt so sick, scared or trapped in my own body before and it was pure hell.
All this to say, just about 5 weeks to the day this began, I can say I’m on the other side. I’m super itchy at times now, but I’d say 85-90% of the pain has subsided (still have some in the morning and overnight). If you are in the thick of it right now, your pain is valid. Your fears are valid. The way you want to crawl out of your skin is valid. It WILL get better and there is light at the end of the tunnel! Dig deep for strength and do whatever you need to survive. I was extremely limited with meds I could take for pain because of my pregnancy, but some things that helped me: migraine caps (can find on Amazon) get multiple so you always have one chilled and ready to go. Those were life savers! It was prob a placebo effect more than anything, but I felt better with electrolytes and making sure I was hydrated. I felt like I was flushing the virus out lol. Light exercise if you can! Just walking my dog or getting outside with the kids made me feel “normal” and moving my body as long as I felt up to it helped with some endorphins.
If you’re reading this, chances are that means you’re going through it too and I am so so so so so so sorry. I’m sending you good, healing vibes and I stand with you in solidarity. This post prob sounds hella dramatic but this was the worst experience of my entire existence and I am deeply traumatized. If you wanna be dramatic about it too you deserve to be. It’s hell. BUT IT GETS BETTER!!! Try to be as patient as you can and be gentle with your mental health along with physical. Lean on friends and family for support. You can get through this and you absolutely will!