Shingles and 3 weeks away from DD.

ramos.laura@sbcglobal.net

I was diagnosed with shingles on Friday, i am 7 days into the so hurtful rash... I can not take anything at this point to relieve the pain but tylenol, which has done nothing.  Has anyone experience the same?  I am freaking out that i will go in labor and have this nasty blistering rash. 

ascar29

i had shingles when i was 16, i wasnt pregnant but it sucked so bad! Good luck to you! Maybe some warm tea to help you relax.. all i remember is sleeping for so long probably due to the pain meds

Marcy248

I had shingles a few years ago (I wasn't pregnant though).  It went away pretty fast with no lasting issues.  Have they started to blister?

heylee

I had them in HS but this is what I got off of WebMD.

Treatments exist that can lessen the severity of shingles and reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia. These include the antiviral drugs acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex).

If you believe you have shingles, it's important to see your doctor right away because you must begin one of these medications within a few days of a shingles outbreak for best results. If your doctor prescribes an antiviral medication, it's important to take it exactly as directed. Most are taken once daily for several days. When taken as directed, these drugs should be safe during pregnancy. 

In addition to the medications your doctor prescribes, there are over-the-counter (OTC) medications and self-help measures that are helpful for relieving shingles pain and itching and preventing infection. These include: 

• Cold compresses and cool baths to relieve blisters.
• Loose clothing and clean gauze coverings over affected areas to hasten healing of blisters and prevent infection.
• Antihistamines (particularly Benadryl), oatmeal baths, and calamine lotion to reduce itching.
• The OTC painkiller acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis (KT), and naproxen (Aleve) to relieve pain.

Before taking any OTC medication, it's important to speak with your doctor. Pregnant women should not take NSAIDs late in pregnancy.

 

luu11

Can you use calamine lotion?? If not maybe try an oatmeal bath...Hope you get better soon

kimski

I had shingles in grade school and remember it sucking big time.  my md prescribed a cream from what i remember...have no idea what it was though or whether it would be safe for pregnancy.  i'm sure the cream was meant to treat the pain/itching from the rash not really reducing the rash as shingles is a virus which lies in the spinal nerve roots so topical treatments wouldn't do anything.

c446784

I had shingles right after I graduated from college.. I remember throwing corn starch on the blisters... I am not sure I was taking anything stronger for the pain.. Once I started on Valtrex ( I think) It cleared pretty quickly. I was back packing around Europe and it went away during my 3 week trip... I also remember the ocean water drying it out quick... So maybe use salt water

Good luck.. It should go away once you start the medicine.. I know I still have scars going across my right side on my torso... No strech marks from my DD but marks from my singles.  

*BlackSheep*

I sometimes get a coldsore and my Dr said I could take Valtrex. So maybe call in the am to your dr. and ask.

Good luck, vI feel your pain.

Zano

i was talking to someone about this at dinner a bit ago and they were told massive amounts of vitamin C and it cleared up in like 2 days 

thehoneybadger

I am sorry you are dealing with shingles. I developed them 3 days post partum with my son. The doctor did give me valtrex and something else to treat them even though I was breastfeeding. I hope you find some relief soon.

Swan21

I had shingles at 14 weeks during this pregnancy. It has different effects depending what stage your in. They gave me Valtrex to take for it. Honestly the medicine was worse then the rash. I got put into a high risk category because it can affect how baby grows. At as far along as you are the biggest concern is probably giving to the baby at/or soon after birth. Luckily shingles is only contagious until it  blisters over(2 weeks or so) and only by direct touch of the virus. It sucks, but I think you'll be OK!

ramos.laura@sbcglobal.net

Thank you ladies, the doctor did not prescribe anything meds because they are not safe.  At this point they are starting to dry off and some are blistering.  It feels like my skin is pulling off.  Not a good feeling but i have dealt wiht the pain, this point.  I was told that calamine lotion leaves marks, and cortozine makes the rash spread so i am avoiding both.  I have not gotten any stretch marks and am sacred of scaring.  I just hope the baby does not get shingles at birth. 

RumbleLina

Valtrex is considered category B. I have had two shingles outbreaks breaks since becoming PG and have used it both times. Valtrex is the only thing that stops it in it's tracks within 2 days, although it takes a little longer to heal if I don't catch it right away. If I didn't take it I would be miserable and non functional.

ramos.laura@sbcglobal.net

i guess if i would of called the dr. right away after seeing the rash i would of had the meds but since i waited to my appt.  and thought i just had a pregancy rash and was normal.  I could of gotten treated right a way.  Is what my primary doctor told me.  Now, i know and i do not wish this pain on anyone.  Thank you, all.