@mattstreet @hairyscary

I also had the trigeminal version. It was brutal, not helped by being misdiagnosed several times by GP, Optician and hospital. Only when I insisted on seeing an E/N/T specialist at the hospital did they correctly diagnose and put me on some strong antivirals to try and mitigate further nerve damage in my face.

After 3 years, I’m still a little tingly and feelingless in some areas of my face.

Preceding the Shingles, I had spent the spring/summer training hard for a good time in a marathon, whilst enjoying a series of weddings/stag weekends and hard work. I smashed the race, then spent the next month enjoying the freedom from running by riding every day, lots of travel, late nights and planning a wedding. I felt like I was ‘living my best life’, but in reality I was wearing myself down. This only became obvious when the virus struck and I realised how utterly exhausted I was.

On the other hand, I had it on my face 13 years ago at the age of 40, symptoms coming on while biking to/from Ben Alder Cottage at the end of a long (month+) trip. Initially felt like I’d hit my head on something, but it settled down. Lots of bumps, just didn’t scratch them; kept an eye on possible eye complications, but no big deal and didn’t take (or get prescribed) any drugs.

With my face singles, I had no bumps, spots or scarring which I think is what made it difficult to diagnose.

I think that this thread is great in showing how wide the range and severity of shingles can be, and that one person’s experience and after effects might be completely different to yours.

Lots of people aren’t aware of the differences, and really, why should they be? When I was suffering with the trigeminal variety I had lots of people empathise along the lines of ‘my nan had shingles, she was bedridden for a week and still has lots of scars on her left hand side from it’, obviously their empathy was well meant and well received. Similarly when I read of OPs shingles, I think back to my occurrence, even though they have very few similarities.

Phoned 111, 30 questions they got me a phone appt at local docs
Same qs from doc, and 1 set of pictures later
Yep, confident its shingles so course of aciclover prescribed plus take it easy for a week.
Slightly concerned by fluttering eye as well but thats monitor it and get back intouch if it worsens

I had shingles about 18 months ago. mainly on my face and in my mouth.
I had gone to the doctor feeling unwell until I mentioned the mouth blisters she was pretty meh about my complaints.
Anyways a course of antivirals and anti depressants for the pain relief (apparently normal pain relief isnt very effective).
Seemed to bed ridden for about a week and it took months to feel well again.
Funnily enough I had handed my notice in. Thus spent my whole notice period on the sick (kept being signed off by the doctor)(sorry Newcastle Uni ;))
I class my self lucky my mum had shingles and it went into her eye shes been on meds for ages and numerous trips to the eye clinic.
So yes it seems it effects everyone differently.

I’ve had it twice – both times the lower right chest wall area. The first time it went in a couple of weeks.
Last October it took about 5-6 weeks to go and far more painful. I was awake with the pain about 2am for about 7 days, couldn’t sit comfortably or move in certain directions. No rash either time and I found that the amitriptyline the GP gave me to sleep didn’t work so I gave up on them. No rash – no point taking acyclovir.

I sincerely hope I never have it again – nerve pain is just nasty

Had a big off a couple of years ago on scorpion at Yair, proper “make sure everything still works before moving” off.
Two days later shingles started on my ribs in the area of the impact.

Not for nothing is it known as “the belt of roses from hell”

I had it in my ear during lockdown. I had been completely run down with a parent in hospital, managing work and kids/lockdown.

Misdiagnosed at first by out of hours until I went to my own doc as I had facial paralysis. Ramsey-Hunt Syndrome. Got prescribed some very strong steroids for the paralysis and things were back to normal in a few weeks. Side effects of the steroids were horrific though.