First time with shingles
Started with mid back pain last Sunday- was pretty bad but put it down to posture (I am nursing). By Tuesday night it was unbearable- nearly fainted from the pain, didn’t sleep all night.
Saw a physio on Wednesday who diagnosed me with a severe muscle spasm- spoke to my GP who gave me with a muscle relaxer. Had another night of being awake due to pain. Emailed GP Thursday and doubled my dosage of muscle relaxer- still didn’t sleep. Meanwhile I noticed a slight rash that I put down to all the muscle gels I had been using to help with pain.
Friday morning- the rash was blistering and still assumed reaction to the gels. I emailed GP to say I had an allergic reaction- she asked to see me Immediately diagnosed with shingles and started anti virals plus nerve pain meds and numbing cream.
Spent all weekend in bed sleeping as also had fever/chills but meds mean I am able to sleep. I’ve never known exhaustion or pain like it but today (Monday) the rash looks less red/angry and the majority have scabbed. The rash is still painful but now I feel more like I have the flu.
However, this afternoon I’ve started with a dull ache across my shoulder blades. It feels just like the initial pain from last Sunday. Is it normal to have back pain across your back or could this be a new case of shingles? I’m really hoping it’s the first….any advice welcome?
Also any insights on recovery would be helpful- I keep reading about it taking months to recover but really hoping that because I got the anti-virals early and am normal for and healthy, recovery could be quicker. We are relocating as a family internationally in two weeks time!