My daughter was 10 when shingles appeared. We did not know what it was until I took her to the doctors four days later. She felt the tingling start about two days before any of the bumps formed and that’s when we acted. The doctors gave us (Ichthammol Ointment 20%). This is a black, goopy looking substance or (Salve for the older crowd) and Prednisolone. This has worked for us; maybe they can work for you too. It's to the point now that she can take care of it on her own. Published: September 03 ::

Here's an observation: My first exposure to shingles came after I re-introduced back bends to a yoga routine after a long hiatus due to an abdominal injury. My lower back flexibility has suffered greatly. So I began to target specific areas. The first area was between T10 and L2. After a few weeks, I developed a rash on my right side accompanied with tingling and skin sensitivity that runs along those dermatomes. The doctor prescribed Famciclovir. These past few weeks, I've targeted the areas between L2 and S2. Oddly enough, the shingles rash is developing on my left foot along the L5 dermatome. Interesting, isn't it? I got great relief the first time with acupuncture. Published: September 03 ::

I’m 23 and I have shingles. I was so surprised to find out that's what the blisters in my eyes were. When I went to the doctor I told her I had blisters in my eyes and some weird tingling pain around my eyebrows. Which I thought was just an eye infection. Unfortunately the doctor wasn't in and I had to see her PA who sent me to the eyelid specialist they diagnosed me with shingles, but only gave me eye drops. I had to wait till the doctor got in, so I can get a prescription for famciclovir and some pain killers. Those were the most painful 24 hours of my life! After taking the correct medications I have to say that I do feel a lot better now, the pain is still lingering, but it wasn't as bad as it was. Published: August 19 ::

I have frequently had the tingling sensations as I run a very stressful life and poor eating and sleeping habits. I had recurrent outbreaks of fever sores and blisters and when I had the sensations, I took Valtrex for few days which made everything go back to normal. I ran out of the Valtrex and recently I developed Shingles, which I am taking Famvir to treat it now combined with Prednisone to alleviate the postherpetic neuralgia. I virtually have had very little pain and after 72 hours the rashes subsided. Published: August 15 ::

First outbreak in October when exposed to a friend w/ Shingles. Started taking Zovirax and 3 weeks later Gabapentin was added followed by Lexapro for the depression. I was already taking amitriptyline for insomnia. The next year I had a new breakout, neurologists started Cymbalta for the depression and pain which helped, but had to stop due to complications after 6 months. I’ve had breakouts occur when around others who have shingles and when I eat pork. I am still breaking out but currently only taking vitamins, L-Lysine and amitriptyline. I have constant stinging sensation in palms and bottom of feet. I experience extreme sensitivity to clothing, A/C, sitting, standing or clapping hands. Breakouts aren't as painful as the skin burning all over. Published: August 06 ::

I'm 27, and I've had shingles since 2002. I was shocked when I saw the rash, but I thought it was genital herpes. My doctor recommended Valtrex, and I have been taking it ever since. I basically have outbreaks every month due to my weak immune system, a sickle cell trait. Initially, I used to cry a lot, but now through reading and research, I have become empowered with knowledge to continue my life. Published: September 03 ::

I'm 18, and just started college. I've been getting very little sleep and my roommate noticed a nasty rash all over my back. Within two days, the pain wasn't tolerable anymore. I just got my prescription for Famvir, and I'm still waiting to have the Percocet prescription filled until I can get to an outside pharmacy. Shingles is the most painful thing I have ever experienced, and I highly recommend getting seen by a doctor immediately if you even suspect you have shingles. Published: August 25 ::

I'm 15 years old and my pediatrician had just diagnosed me with shingles. This is quite odd since I am so young. The burning sensation is very painful, but the doctor has just put me on that Zovirax I just took it right now so I don’t know if it is working yet but hopefully it does. The thing that perplexes me is that my shingles looks nothing like the pictures I have seen. It is not really clustered and it looks more like spider bites than clusters of sores. Published: August 19 ::