Doctor, I m a 65 yr old female and was diagnosed with shingles around the end of July 2013. I had a rash going down my left thigh from my buttock. It didn t really hurt a lot but was very itchy at first. I recall having a bad headache, which is uncommon for me. Went to my doctor and she said I had shingles and gave me a prescription of Acyclovir to take (800mg x 5 per day). I went home that evening and started taking the meds but took one about every two-three hrs to get them taken that evening. The next two nights, my legs hurt really bad and the following morning, I suddenly had numbness in both feet and they were red on the bottom (the left foot was the worse) and numbness in my saddle area (no feeling in vaginal area or rectum - very heavy feeling). I quit taking the meds and went to ER because I thought the meds had caused this condition (I m allergic to at least three different antibiotics). They ran tests and told me to see my family doctor asap to follow-up and stay off the meds until then. So far, I have seen a spine specialist and had two steroid injections that helped little. I had a round of physical therapy, which did help some. I also saw a neurologist who tried to perform a nerve test inserting needles in my legs but the pain was too much so he did not continue. Anyway, to shorten my story, I have gotten very little sensation back in the saddle area and my feet and legs. The spine specialist said there wasn t much else he could do for me so I m at my wits end. I ve always been an active person and good at doing my aerobic exercises, etc. Now, my feet hurt when I do much walking and I tire out pretty easily. I try exercising without making my back hurt. I haven t really felt good since all this has happened. I just don t know what direction to go to next! Can shingles really do all this damage to a person? I need help if there s some out there for me. Can you please advise me! Thank you. Waiting in Little Rock.