Shingles Without A Rash

[bednobs]

Has anyone ever had it? I have the symptoms of Shingles but without the main one. Could it still be shingles? I can't bear anything to touch the place and it's so sore but just on the surface but there's nothing to see

[Cloverjo]

Where is the pain?

[calmck]

When I had shingles the rash came a day or two after the pain and soreness

[Eve]

How long as it been sore? From what I understand, you can get the pain before the rash shows itself.

[Eve]

Might be worth checking with a GP early on, if you are on certain meds, or they could still be in your system. If you need anti-virals (have been given them both times I've had it and when they sent me to hospital when they thought I had chickenpox) then I think they are more effective if taken early on?

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, you can get a form of shingles that shows no rash.

[Sqad]

Very unusual to get shingles without a rash........with no rash, then how do yopu know it is shingles?

If it is a stabbing pain, like pin pricking then, wait a couple of days for the rash to develop.

[queenofmean]

Could perhaps be Neuropathy? Going by the description that’s how mine is. But in case wait to see if a rash appears.

[Palustris]

Definitely can get Shingles without the rash. Unusual but very possible. Had it three times like that now. Sad thing is that because of it, it is difficult to get the proper treatment in time. I now have major nerve damage in my back because it was not treated. And before people disagree, the diagnosis was not mine, but made by a specialist in hospital.

[Sqad]

"And before people disagree, the diagnosis was not mine, but made by a specialist in hospital."

How?

[Peter Pedant]

by remembering his Latin Sqad old boy - stulte puer !
( or woddeva as a thousand ABers will holler)

I thought it was herpes sine eruptione ( herpes widdout da rash as the standard Aber might say )
BUT

it is - - zoster sine herpete - er I give myself 7/10 for that one
herpes means snake in Latin innit ?

and the article is here
http://n.neurology.org/content/76/5/416

and they say er yes you can .....

[Sqad]

PP, Palustris/mamy.

I bow my head to greater knowledge.

[Palustris]

Can I suggest to any one who can get it, that they have the Vaccine against it?
It is in short supply, but even if you are not entitled by age, it was not that expensive to pay for it.

[Palustris]

And for those who have never had it, the pain is best described as exactly the same as that inflicted by old time bullies in a Chinese burn. That is where the skin on the wrist was twisted in opposite directions for those who were lucky enough to not be targeted by said bullies.

[whistonian]

When I was diagnosed with shingles in my scalp 4 years ago,I had a rash on my forehead but never had blisters.Two weeks ago the same doctor has now said that i have'nt got Shingles but Neuropathic pain because I sometimes get it on one side of my scalp. Whatever it gets *** painful.

[Peter Pedant]

// PP, Palustris/mamy. I bow my head to greater knowledge.//

no you bow your head to someone whose pudgy biscuit-barrel fingers can google faster than you - I accept the google-laurels with .. pride

[Mamyalynne]

Whistonian , post herpetic pain can linger for a long time and you can get flare ups - nasty pain too.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah - I give my pudgy fingers a rest
B UT there is a paper out there saying the vaccine is efffective in these cases

( wonder of wonders - I didnt quite understand how or why)

[andres]

65years ago when I had shingles and the memory lingers on. Rash,blisters that when they burst stuck my underarm to my side . Screaming in agony at various noises. No treatment just calamine lotion . Agonising nerve pains for years after . Ok now but would advise people to get the vaccine if they are eligible.

[whistonian]

I had the vaccine a few months ago during an attack of Shingles or neurological pain,the nurse wasn't sure if it mattered or not,but gave it to me anyway.

[Everhelpful]

I have had shingles above the eye since last November,back and forwards to Eye Hospital,my head is still numb and feels as though there is a velvet cushion on my eye lids,anyone know if this is normal and will it subside in time? Thank you.