shingles?

I can tell you shingles aren't fun. My paternal grandfather had them in, as many older folks get them, his eyes. Ouch. I have them for the last 7 years. Uggg. They are an auto-immune disorder, like lupus or arthritis and as you've read, they are a form of Herpes. When I have the slightest tingling of an outbreak I take Valtrex, a prescription med used for genital herpes. I also liberally apply a collidoial oatmeal ointment, Aveeno is good. My shingles started on the lower left quandrant and now have decided to take up residence in the nerves of my..ahem..blush...cough. When this happened I freaked out...I thought I had genital herpes-I'm a happily married guy! The docs I saw, said this was not uncommon and assured me they were not genital herpes. The pain is wicked. Sometimes I can't wear clothes that touch the infection. If I'm stressed and don't watch myself, Bang!, they come on. I've noticed I'm getting sciatic nerve pain in the last few outbreaks, down my left leg. I guess on average I get two outbreaks a year (I've had some stressful years!). Shingles are not to be trifled with, take care..I wish you well.

I'll quit whining now.