Shucks, It's Shingles

Ed went to our Primary Care Physician (PCP) Wednesday morning for his follow-up visit after 4 days in the hospital last week.  At the end of his visit, he asked the doctor to take a look at the redness on the side of my face.  

As Dr. Pinto approached me I said,  "It can't be shingles because I had my shingles shot last fall."  He took a look, declared it shingles, sent me for blood-work, and gave me a prescription for the virus.  The dermatologist verified his diagnosis today. 

He said shingles shots are only 60% effective.  If I had known that, I might not have gone through all the hassle to get the shot last fall.   (Misinformation Melodrama - November 5, 2011)  Than again, I would have thought I wouldn't have fallen into the 40% of non-success stories!

He even said to not use my CPAP machine for a few nights because the straps are going to aggravate the red rash, swelling, pain, etc.

I think the stress of dealing with Ed's worsening lung cancer and getting cars repaired undoubtedly helped bring this on.   (I backed into a our friends' empty car last Saturday evening, breaking both driver side tail lights and causing some scraping on both cars.)

My shingles aren't super painful and I first thought it was because it was diagnosed and treated quickly.  Now, I'd be willing to bet it's a mild case because of my shingles shot!!  (I just read online that if you had the shot, you have less pain and shorter duration of shingles)

So "shucks on shingles" but when you hit 50 or 60, DO get your shingles shot!