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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Shingles
Question: I have symptoms of Shingles, but no outbreak. Skin burn pain on left side of back.. waist burn annoyance. I have some other symptoms that make me nervous. My arms are tingly and a little numb. I'm very fatigued, my eyes are glassy and sick looking. I'm scared this is something worse.
Brief Answer:
shingles and other possible causes discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Shingles can happen with skin symptoms without skin outbreak; this is rare but might happen. Generally shingles does not affect more than one area at a time. It would be unlikely that both the symptoms on the back and the ones on the arms and wrists be explained by one episode of shingles.
Another thing is the length of the symptoms. Generally shingles causes the symptoms for around 2 weeks and rarely symptoms might go longer than that.
If you have general fatigue it is not very common with shingles.
You are already using acyclovir- this is mentioned at the medications tried. You should make sure you drink plenty during the treatment with acyclovir as it might precipitate in the kidneys and is needed to keep yourself hydrated.
So to conclude i would say that
1. it does not seem likely that all your symptoms would be explained with an episode of shingles as it does not affect several areas at a time
2. because you have started acyclovir than it is good to have the full course of treatment but please make sure you drink plenty meanwhile
3. If no improvement of the symptoms with this treatment you will need to have another check as sometimes spread, seemingly not related symptoms might be due to other causes like anxiety for example
4. sometimes some other tests might be needed also like CBC, ERS, due to the fatigue you are experiencing. Anemia might be a cause of fatigue and also in some cases also a cause of strange sensations in skin. Having a TSH test if you have not had one in the last 5 years is advisable also.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to reply in case more clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
shingles and other possible causes discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Shingles can happen with skin symptoms without skin outbreak; this is rare but might happen. Generally shingles does not affect more than one area at a time. It would be unlikely that both the symptoms on the back and the ones on the arms and wrists be explained by one episode of shingles.
Another thing is the length of the symptoms. Generally shingles causes the symptoms for around 2 weeks and rarely symptoms might go longer than that.
If you have general fatigue it is not very common with shingles.
You are already using acyclovir- this is mentioned at the medications tried. You should make sure you drink plenty during the treatment with acyclovir as it might precipitate in the kidneys and is needed to keep yourself hydrated.
So to conclude i would say that
1. it does not seem likely that all your symptoms would be explained with an episode of shingles as it does not affect several areas at a time
2. because you have started acyclovir than it is good to have the full course of treatment but please make sure you drink plenty meanwhile
3. If no improvement of the symptoms with this treatment you will need to have another check as sometimes spread, seemingly not related symptoms might be due to other causes like anxiety for example
4. sometimes some other tests might be needed also like CBC, ERS, due to the fatigue you are experiencing. Anemia might be a cause of fatigue and also in some cases also a cause of strange sensations in skin. Having a TSH test if you have not had one in the last 5 years is advisable also.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to reply in case more clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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