So My Dad Has Shingles
#1
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So My Dad Has Shingles
His doctor confirmed today that he has a major case of shingles, broken out all of his back. He's been in a lot of pain.
Shingles is one of those things I've heard horror stories about, and pray I never experience this shit. Unfortunately, the timing is awful since my plan is to spend Thanksgiving at my parents house for a couple of days.
From what I've read online, the stuff is highly contagious, but you're safe if you've had chicken pox. My mom is fairly certain I've had the pox, but not 100%. The hypochrondriac side of me is telling me not to risk it. I don't wanna spend my holiday in bed.
Anyone out there been in this situation? I'm wondering if I just keep my distance from dad at the dinner table. haha
Shingles is one of those things I've heard horror stories about, and pray I never experience this shit. Unfortunately, the timing is awful since my plan is to spend Thanksgiving at my parents house for a couple of days.
From what I've read online, the stuff is highly contagious, but you're safe if you've had chicken pox. My mom is fairly certain I've had the pox, but not 100%. The hypochrondriac side of me is telling me not to risk it. I don't wanna spend my holiday in bed.
Anyone out there been in this situation? I'm wondering if I just keep my distance from dad at the dinner table. haha
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
You can still get it even if you've had chicken pox, but the chance is fairly small.
Some people get extremely mild cases of chicken pox, especially if you're very young.
Some people get extremely mild cases of chicken pox, especially if you're very young.
#4
Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
I had a slight case of shingles. Felt like parts of my body were broken or really sore. Not that painful mind you, just annoying.
Sucks about Thanksgiving, awful timing. If that were me I probably wouldn't come out of my room.
Sucks about Thanksgiving, awful timing. If that were me I probably wouldn't come out of my room.
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
I had chickenpox when I was a kid and get a really bad case of shingles in college. I think I got it from being near somebody whose kid currently had chickenpox. It was horrible, just a breath across my chest was extremely painful. I think your nerve endings are exposed.
My doctor gave me cortisone which he said would help prevent it from recurring if you took it the first time you got it. I never got it again. Nobody near me got it from me.
My doctor gave me cortisone which he said would help prevent it from recurring if you took it the first time you got it. I never got it again. Nobody near me got it from me.
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
I had shingles back in 2004, it was on the front of my leg and right on my shin bone, it oozed blood and puss and hurt like hell! Nobody ever caught it from me, I even went to work before I knew what it was; I figured I needed to see the doctor when the blood soaked through my pants. Good times!
Not sure about being contagious, I would hate for anybody to miss out on Thanksgiving because of that. One would think that it would be contagious the first couple days of infection but I don't have any medical proof to back that up.
Not sure about being contagious, I would hate for anybody to miss out on Thanksgiving because of that. One would think that it would be contagious the first couple days of infection but I don't have any medical proof to back that up.
#9
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
Maybe if you were too young to remember? I got chicken pox when I was in first grade or something, so I only vaguely remember it.
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
I got chicken pox. My mom (a senior) had shingles. I think there was itching too. Even after treatment, it takes a while to get rid of it. I hung around her and didn't catch anything.
#15
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
I had them for a short time last year. Had some itching, almost a burning sensation, all across my back. Doctor gave me some Valtrex, and it cleared up fairly quickly.
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#18
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
I'll probably suck it up and go. My GF is planning to come also, but she has already had shingles and no worry for her. A friend told me last night that they smell really bad. Great, now I'm gonna have the though of smelly oozing blisters on my mind at the Thanksgiving table. My dad is the type where he doesn't voluntarily go to the doctor unless it is really really bad, and he did last week so it must not be a mild case.
#19
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Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
1. YOU CAN'T CATCH SHINGLES.
2. SHINGLES GENERALLY DO NOT SMELL. If they do, then your Dad smells with or without them and
you need to have a sitdown and talk about his personal hygiene.
3. Sounds like you're just looking for an excuse not to go, which is fine, and I can almost understand that, but you're making a big deal out of nothing.
2. SHINGLES GENERALLY DO NOT SMELL. If they do, then your Dad smells with or without them and
you need to have a sitdown and talk about his personal hygiene.
3. Sounds like you're just looking for an excuse not to go, which is fine, and I can almost understand that, but you're making a big deal out of nothing.
#20
Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
I had shingles in grad school. My girlfriend at the time had not had chicken pox (nor the vaccine) and didn't catch anything.
In my experience... shingles are not that bad, especially once you start taking the drugs (valtrex). I even waited 4 days before going to the doctor (I thought it was a rash that would do away). It itched, but really wasn't a big deal.
In my experience... shingles are not that bad, especially once you start taking the drugs (valtrex). I even waited 4 days before going to the doctor (I thought it was a rash that would do away). It itched, but really wasn't a big deal.
#23
Re: So My Dad Has Shingles
^ Honorary lock. No more can be done here.
#24
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