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Mary Anne in TX · 07-28-2007, 06:03 PM

Hi Rinaina!
I am so very sorry that you have joined the "shingles gang"! It is a PAIN! I still take vicadin (sp) for the pain. There are several things that you can take, so keep trying until you find the one that works for you. I also got lidoderm patches that I put on at night (you can use 3 at a time) and that gave me some relief at night. The biggest thing is to take the pain pills as directed so that it builds up in your system. The anti viral med will take care of the rash and the itching in a few days. The pain will need several weeks to begin to decrease. Take those pain pills! Once you get it built up in your system, you will get some relief!!
I wish no one had to go thru shingles. It is the pits! But it will get better. Have your onc check it when you finish the anti-viral meds to be sure that they are taken care of.
God bless you. Shingles turned out to be far worse than chemo for me. But when I gave in and took the pain pills every 4 hours I was able to function.
Best wishes. Mary Anne

07-28-2007, 06:03 PM	#2
Mary Anne in TX Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,357	Yuck! Hi Rinaina! I am so very sorry that you have joined the "shingles gang"! It is a PAIN! I still take vicadin (sp) for the pain. There are several things that you can take, so keep trying until you find the one that works for you. I also got lidoderm patches that I put on at night (you can use 3 at a time) and that gave me some relief at night. The biggest thing is to take the pain pills as directed so that it builds up in your system. The anti viral med will take care of the rash and the itching in a few days. The pain will need several weeks to begin to decrease. Take those pain pills! Once you get it built up in your system, you will get some relief!! I wish no one had to go thru shingles. It is the pits! But it will get better. Have your onc check it when you finish the anti-viral meds to be sure that they are taken care of. God bless you. Shingles turned out to be far worse than chemo for me. But when I gave in and took the pain pills every 4 hours I was able to function. Best wishes. Mary Anne __________________ MA in TX. Grateful for each and every day.... Diag. 12/05 at age 60 Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified vascular invasion Ki67 20% borderline Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense) Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense) Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007 Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year. Port removed August, 2012. 8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!