Just because it's me...

[colliemommie]

...and I am the universe's bitch, I HAVE SHINGLES!

Fricking shingles. 26 and pregnant, with shingles. It's funny, but unfortunately no one is lying when they say shingles is "extremely painful". Incidentally, why does everyone use those two words to describe it? Always the same ones..."extremely painful".

On the plus side, I think my perinatologist now has considerable respect for my pain tolerance. I was talking to him on the phone last night trying to convince him that I understand the difference between discomfort and pain. Dealing with pregnancy-crazed women all the time, I don't think he believed me. Said it was probably an allergic reaction. This morning at the office he had about five people troop in to look at me and my textbook case of shingles. I felt like a guest star on House. The doctor used the magic words "extremely painful" and I got an appraising look that seemed pretty favorable. Hopefully my concept of pain will not be in question in the future.

I am trying to figure out how what looks like a rash can do absolutely everything EXCEPT itch. It burns, it has shooting pain, it radiates, it feels hot and infected, and it feels creepily like little tiny kittens are crawling up the inside of my skin using all their claws. The clawing feeling is the oddest, and hurts the most.

So now I am racking up brave little toaster points while I wait for this anti-viral to do something. I can't take any pain meds because of the little critter, but thankfully the shingles doesn't put it at risk at all. Apparently shingles is mainly a nerve thing, and there is no new infection in my blood, just the old chicken pox immunity.

Still, what the hell? Bruce went on at unflattering length about how this is just like me. Not only do I get every complication one could possibly expect, but then I get the absolute last thing you'd ever think I would get given my age, health, and condition.

Bruce's mom has gotten shingles fairly regularly ever since she had all that chemo four years ago. I told my mother-in-law I got them so I could be more like her. We both found that way too funny.

Comments

[sraun]

Given that shingles are ... is it chicken pox? whatever, some kids disease - a virus that lies dormant in your nerve cells, I would expect that they're doing direct stimulation of said nerves. And that would account for both the extreme and the variability.

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

Yep, it's varicella, the same as chicken pox. It apparently behaves the same way herpes does, as far as being stored dormant in cells other than the blood. I didn't realize it was specifically nerve cells though...

That would certainly explain the sensations. There must also be a more generalized subcutaneous component as well though, otherwise I can't see where the very attractive oozing rash comes in.

[duckduckcaboose.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, that's so terrible!! No offense, but you seem to have even worse luck than me when it comes to medical issues. And I thought severe seasonal allergies, getting strep throat about a million times, and getting laryngitis before every play I do was bad. *Sending tons of positive energy your way*

[filkferengi]

Well, that's *one* way to keep you distracted from worrying about the pregnancy. ;(

I prescribe extra Bujold booster shots at once.

Do you have the kind of internet connection that lets you download music conveniently? What kind[s] of music do you like? Maybe I can provide a better soundtrack to not-itch by.

[emmaco.livejournal.com]

Eek, hope you're feeling more comfortable and the shingles go away soon!