u/ImNotaChad

For those who didn’t see my previous post, after getting on acyclovir (25 tabs/400 mg total) I essentially had a 4 day manic episode.

I’m a 32 y/o male. I’ve cried maybe 2 times in the last 3 years. Between intense fits of rage I would ball like a baby. My pain really wasn’t that bad as I have a pretty high tolerance. The tears were random and uncontrollable.

I also experienced full body shaking and spasms for a short period of time on day 2/3 of the meds. Plus would only sleep around 2-4hrs a night but would wake up feeling like I had gotten 8-10.

Over 24 hrs off the meds and almost all of these symptoms have ceased. I finally feel like I’m myself again (minus the shingles)

Has anyone else experienced this strong of a negative reaction? And if so were they prescribed an anti viral that’s less likely to affect you in this way?

This is my first and hopefully only time having shingles. I heard a lot about the pain aspect. Which is real. But I’ve had chronic pancreatitis for a few years now which is a 10/10 on the pain scale for me.

However, the mental aspect of shingles is what’s getting to me most. I feel like I have no control over myself over the last couple of days. Intense and abrupt mood swings, fatigue, poor etiquette and conversational skills, terrible decision making, extreme anxiety. It’s all so unlike my normal self. But to quote a nerdy book, “I feel like butter scraped over too much bread”.

I’m being stretched physically, mentally, and emotionally. Is this common? Will it last longer than the pain?