Shingles without chickenpox?

April 24, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 59-year-old female. I was told that I had never had chickenpox; however, I came down with shingles. I have been on prednisone and famciclovir for a week. The spot (about the size of a quarter) is drying up. How long can I expect pain? Should I be immunized again shingles? Can I get shingles without ever having had chickenpox? Some days I can tolerate the pain but at other times it’s very uncomfortable.

DEAR READER: Whomever told you that you never had chickenpox was incorrect. However, it is possible that you had a very mild case with few lesions that may have gone unnoticed. I can say this with certainty because shingles cannot occur without the varicella-zoster (also known has the herpes zoster) virus which can only be present after having had chickenpox. So to simplify, if you never had chickenpox, you could not be suffering from shingles now. [Read more...]

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Post-herpetic neuralgia from shingles

June 28, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 70-year-old woman who developed shingles on my right leg last June and am now left with neuropathy. It went from the middle of my leg all the way down to my foot and toes. I was immediately put on an antiviral and a prednisone pack, so the doctor was surprised that I developed post-herpetic neuralgia. My leg and foot are completely numb and I cannot bend the right foot upward, so I wear a boot and go from a wheelchair to crutches and then to bed. It is causing excruciating pain.

I have seen two neurologists, who both ordered MRIs of my spine, an EMG and nerve conduction tests. Both dismissed me, saying there is nothing more they can do for me. The last neurologist suggested I see a pain management doctor. I saw one two weeks ago and am getting epidurals in my spine. The first one didn’t help, so I am hoping to get some relief with the second one, because as soon as I can get out of some of this pain, I can try a physical therapist to help me walk with this dropped foot.
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Readers question shingles vaccine

April 24, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I just took the shingles vaccine at a local drugstore. I filled out papers but nowhere did it mention that anyone who had a history of cancer should not take the vaccine. Please advise.

DEAR DR. GOTT: In your recent column, you said that the shingles vaccine should not be given to former cancer patients. I am in remission from large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I have Wegener’s granulomatosis, which although in remission, is still there. The Wegener’s is the reason that a shingles vaccine is recommended. I will be having CD19 level blood testing before any vaccination, but with my history, should I still have the vaccine?
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Shingles vaccine not right for everyone

March 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: There seems to be some confusion about whether or not an older person should take the shingles shot. My husband is over 70 and has been advised that, because he can’t remember having chickenpox (even though he might have been exposed to it), he does not need to take it. In fact, if he takes it, it might even prove harmful.

He has been further advised that there is a simple test his doctor should administer before giving him the shingles shot if he (my husband) is unsure as to whether he ever had chickenpox or not. Please advise. Thank you.
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Uncommon form of shingles needs time

February 16, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’ve been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. I’ve been treated with prednisone and antiviral drugs. I ask every doctor I’ve seen, “What can I do to be proactive?” The answer is always, “Nothing, only time.” I understand that, but what can I do to hasten healing? Massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, anything? Each doctor says I can do whatever I want but nothing is going to help. Isn’t there anything I can do?

DEAR READER: Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when the facial nerve to one of the ears becomes infected by the shingles/chickenpox virus.
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Rare disorder has limited treatment options

January 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: About a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with NMO, or Devic’s disease. I have a mild case so far. It started with shingles and morphed into the NMO. My left side is numb, with my left hand hypersensitive. The right side of my neck is what bothers me. I cannot get it, my hips and shoulders to stop aching. The treatment for NMO is steroids, and I am also on Imuran.

There isn’t much information on NMO/Devic’s. Do you have any idea how to treat this kind of pain? Any natural pain alleviations?
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Another shingles remedy

May 25, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: There have been a lot of people writing you with questions about shingles. I would like to give you a “recipe” my mother-in-law gave me. I know it worked for her, my father-in-law, my husband and me.

Simply take this combination three times per day: one 400 IU vitamin E, two 100-milligram B-complex and four 1,000-milligram slow-release vitamin C tablets. When the shingles symptoms are gone, stop the vitamin E and B-complex and taper off the vitamin C slowly. If you have diarrhea symptoms, eat cheese.
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Shingles vaccine not a treatment

April 20, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Thank you for the letter about the shingles vaccine. I would like to know how it works. Is it like the flu vaccine? I have suffered with shingles for 10 years now. I have asked my doctor for the vaccine, but he said insurance companies wouldn’t pay for it until I am 60. Is it because, as you stated, they have only tested the vaccine on those 60 and older?

I am currently taking Valtrex, and it has stopped the outbreak but not the pain. I am turning 60 this year and want to know if the vaccine will not only help me but might also get me off the Valtrex, because it is so expensive.
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Shingles vaccine is prevention, not treatment

March 17, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: What is the treatment for shingles? I have had them for three months now. How long do I have to wait after an episode before I can get the vaccine?

DEAR READER: Shingles is a viral infection. It is actually a second infection caused by the chickenpox virus. Symptoms typically begin with pain, numbness or tingling on one side of the body. It most commonly occurs on one side of the chest, wrapping around to the back. The next most common area is the face, but it can present anywhere on the body, including the eyes, which can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
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Hearing Aids Common Cause Of Itchy Ears

January 21, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am an 81-year-old female in good health. I have two irritating problems about which I would like your opinion.

First, I have a worn hearing aids for about five years. They are digital with the battery section behind, not in, the ear and a small plastic tube inside the ear. I have had itchy ears for sometime but since wearing the aids my ears flake and peel daily. I have used peroxide to make sure there is no infection and anti-itch creams, lotions and salves but nothing helps. My ears continue to peel. My doctor says it is not psoriasis but could only suggest a different cream.

The other problem I have is a persistent itch in one spot on my back by my right shoulder blade. It occasionally hurts. It seems to have started right around the time I developed shingles eight years ago.

Do you have any suggestions on either of these issues? [Read more...]

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