Shingles On My Head & One Eye
Discussion
I completed a week of antiviral pills a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I was back at work all last week but this week my affected eye is very sore. Half of my head is itchy/nervy too.
I've found the whole thing very disappointing from an NHS point of view: first symptoms were chronic headaches. I was advised to go to my local A & E department, where I eventually received a head CT scan. Nothing obvious was found, so I was off on my way. The following afternoon, my inquisitive but unqualified wife correctly diagnosed my Shingles, and called our GP Surgery. It was late on a Friday afternoon, and nobody was available to issue a prescription. Instead, they told me to visit our local NHS walk-in centre. After about an hour, I was seen by a doctor and instantly diagnosed.
During the past week, we've called our GP Surgery twice for advice. First time was about the itchy/nervy sensations. We told them we'd tried antihistamines and they done nothing to help. They gave me a prescription for more antihistamines, which I assumed would be better - a wasted journey and £9 down the drain. Yesterday I managed to get a GP to look at my itchy, sore eye. He told me to look up a website to arrange an eye 'inspection' at a local opticians, which I done. I'd told him I'd tried various eye drops and only Optrex Tired Eyes gave relief. He wrote me a prescription, and £9 later, I've now got another bottle of fluid to irritate and sting my dodgy eye!
Don't worry, the rant side is over! All the above made me realise that the NHS (and my company's Bupa service) knew sod-all about Shingles around eyes. In desperation, I thought I'd ask on here if anyone has had this ailment lately. I'm lucky to be in decent health generally, so don't know how long it'll last, and would like to hear about your experiences.
I've found the whole thing very disappointing from an NHS point of view: first symptoms were chronic headaches. I was advised to go to my local A & E department, where I eventually received a head CT scan. Nothing obvious was found, so I was off on my way. The following afternoon, my inquisitive but unqualified wife correctly diagnosed my Shingles, and called our GP Surgery. It was late on a Friday afternoon, and nobody was available to issue a prescription. Instead, they told me to visit our local NHS walk-in centre. After about an hour, I was seen by a doctor and instantly diagnosed.
During the past week, we've called our GP Surgery twice for advice. First time was about the itchy/nervy sensations. We told them we'd tried antihistamines and they done nothing to help. They gave me a prescription for more antihistamines, which I assumed would be better - a wasted journey and £9 down the drain. Yesterday I managed to get a GP to look at my itchy, sore eye. He told me to look up a website to arrange an eye 'inspection' at a local opticians, which I done. I'd told him I'd tried various eye drops and only Optrex Tired Eyes gave relief. He wrote me a prescription, and £9 later, I've now got another bottle of fluid to irritate and sting my dodgy eye!
Don't worry, the rant side is over! All the above made me realise that the NHS (and my company's Bupa service) knew sod-all about Shingles around eyes. In desperation, I thought I'd ask on here if anyone has had this ailment lately. I'm lucky to be in decent health generally, so don't know how long it'll last, and would like to hear about your experiences.
Dendritic ulcers are nasty and can leave you with permanent visual loss. Pts of mine are going straight to the eye dept for anti viral drops and lubricants.
I think you have said that you have had your eyes examined but if you haven't it needs doing tomorrow asap.
How's your vision that side?
I think you have said that you have had your eyes examined but if you haven't it needs doing tomorrow asap.
How's your vision that side?
Thanks for the message. I have an eye examination booked at an optician's in the morning through primaryeyecare.co.uk.
I had a week of Aciclovar tablets and a tube of Virgan eye ointment. I'm still putting a couple of drops of that in the eye a couple of times a day, but my eye seems to water profusely after, probably flushing it out.
Vision isn't too bad. I'd say it's about 75% normal, with focusing not being too bad. Light sensitivity and stinging are still issues, along with the nerve sensitivity on my head. Ah well, we'll see what happens tomorrow.
I had a week of Aciclovar tablets and a tube of Virgan eye ointment. I'm still putting a couple of drops of that in the eye a couple of times a day, but my eye seems to water profusely after, probably flushing it out.
Vision isn't too bad. I'd say it's about 75% normal, with focusing not being too bad. Light sensitivity and stinging are still issues, along with the nerve sensitivity on my head. Ah well, we'll see what happens tomorrow.
I'm assuming someone has looked at your eyes rather than just prescribing anti virals? However it sounds as though you have been "lucky" and you're clear of ulcers as you wouldn't be sitting typing complaining of irritated eyes you'd be banging on A+Es door again.
The ulcers are easy to see so hopefully tomorrow will confirm.
The ulcers are easy to see so hopefully tomorrow will confirm.
I had it, I was working and stressing too much. Once the doctor said I could go blind I forced myself to take some time off work, sat around the house relaxing and playing Xbox etc.
After a week of total relaxation I was fine.
I now enjoy having downtime and have had no reoccurrence of symptoms.
Your body is telling you something. Take some time off, rest and recover.
After a week of total relaxation I was fine.
I now enjoy having downtime and have had no reoccurrence of symptoms.
Your body is telling you something. Take some time off, rest and recover.
Similar to me - got Bell's Palsy at the end of October - face numb on one side (thought it may be a stroke at first!) seems to be stress related & an alternate form of shingles. No real improvement yet but thankfully my face is just numb rather than drooping. Eye is affected as is my balance to a degree but not as bad as some get it. I had hoped it'd be fixed by now however it might last months.
Given the stresses over the last few years I'm not surprised the horrid dormant chicken pox virus flares up again.
Given the stresses over the last few years I'm not surprised the horrid dormant chicken pox virus flares up again.
bridggar1 said:
Similar to me - got Bell's Palsy at the end of October - face numb on one side (thought it may be a stroke at first!) seems to be stress related & an alternate form of shingles. No real improvement yet but thankfully my face is just numb rather than drooping. Eye is affected as is my balance to a degree but not as bad as some get it. I had hoped it'd be fixed by now however it might last months.
Given the stresses over the last few years I'm not surprised the horrid dormant chicken pox virus flares up again.
Are you covid vaxxed? It's one of the well known side effects from the vax, so if you are... Given the stresses over the last few years I'm not surprised the horrid dormant chicken pox virus flares up again.
bridggar1 said:
I am vaccinated yes. I just had my booster last week but had I had the booster before, I may well have been attributing the vax to it. (but clearly not related for me).
I'm not sure how you've reached that conclusion. In many cases Bell's Palsy is only just starting to show itself now in patients who've only had 1 shot when they originally became available 2 years ago.There's a ton of info online about it. The link to the covid jabs couldn't be any clearer imo. Up to you whether you wish to dismiss it as nonsense.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=covid+vaccination+bell%2...
I wish you well.
DKL said:
Dendritic ulcers are nasty and can leave you with permanent visual loss. Pts of mine are going straight to the eye dept for anti viral drops and lubricants.
I think you have said that you have had your eyes examined but if you haven't it needs doing tomorrow asap.
How's your vision that side?
HZO doesn’t characteristically cause dendritic ulcers and generally doesn’t need antiviral cream. Oral aciclovir is helpful and examination is necessary to ensure no uveitis and acute retinal necrosis. I think you have said that you have had your eyes examined but if you haven't it needs doing tomorrow asap.
How's your vision that side?
DKL said:
Excellent news. It's the same virus as cold sores so can come back. Try not to get too run down etc as that's when it appears but at least you'll know what it is.
Herpes simplex and zoster are different viruses that present in different ways. Zoster can reactivate but it doesn’t cause cold sores but a characteristic rash along the nerve root. I’m not a medical professional but I’ve had shingles and you DO NOT WANT TO GET VERY RUN DOWN. Every single bloody time I am horribly rundown I get the tingling skin pain and joint pain.
You really have to look after yourself. Currently lying in bed with a stinking cold and the worst pain I’ve had in a long time. All because I got very run down. About half an hour of some relief each time I take painkillers and then back to being a useless lump in bed.
TAKE THE ADVICE AND REST.
You really have to look after yourself. Currently lying in bed with a stinking cold and the worst pain I’ve had in a long time. All because I got very run down. About half an hour of some relief each time I take painkillers and then back to being a useless lump in bed.
TAKE THE ADVICE AND REST.
968 said:
DKL said:
Excellent news. It's the same virus as cold sores so can come back. Try not to get too run down etc as that's when it appears but at least you'll know what it is.
Herpes simplex and zoster are different viruses that present in different ways. Zoster can reactivate but it doesn’t cause cold sores but a characteristic rash along the nerve root. You are of course correct and I wondered as I typed if anyone would want more detail but decided the principle was adequate.
Yes Zoster and SImplex are literally different but the basis applies which was the point of the post. You don't really want either especially not more than once.
Edited by DKL on Tuesday 20th December 13:05
Hope OP is feeling better. Just for awareness if anyone is interested (because I couldn't find much info when diagnosed) my Bell's Palsy is almost gone after 2.5 months. Still have an odd sensation in the RHS of my mouth, but every day it seems to be slightly less noticeable. Balance has almost returned to normal, but I do still struggle to complete teeth brushing on one leg at the moment. (which is something I'd advise everyone to do)
Thanks for asking. Yes, I feel I'm over the worst of it. Yesterday I saw a Consultant, who said my affected eye is healing, but slowly. He gave me some steroid eyedrops to use for 3 weeks, then I'm supposed to have another course of weaker ones. He also noticed that my left eyelid is now baggy after Shingles affected its muscles, and it's lashes sometimes touch the eyeball. He reckoned a minor operation will be needed. I'm very squeamish, and I'm not totally convinced it's necessary but he knows more about it than I do. Right now, the worst issue is the itchiness on the left side of my forehead, waking me every hour or two at night between applications of Germolene - the best thing I've found for that.
Bell's Palsy must be terrible - affecting your balance. I never knew it could do that. Let's hope we both get back to normal healthwise very soon!
Bell's Palsy must be terrible - affecting your balance. I never knew it could do that. Let's hope we both get back to normal healthwise very soon!
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