Hi Everyone,
I have a new problem...I have had a painful area on the side of my head (opposite side of TN). It's not TN pain. It's more surface pain. It feels burning and sore. It's probably an area about 2x3 inches. My lymph nodes are swollen, especially on that side of my neck and head. I've also had a headache. Could this be shingles? Is shingles related to TN in any way?
Thanks for any of your ideas or experience with this.
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
The symptoms you are listing right now aren't enough for you or us to assume it could be shingles. I highly reccomend you see your primary doctor / GP to ask them what they believe could be causing your symptoms. We do not have any diagnosing / doctors or medical staff on this site and your symptoms could be migraine or anything like that. Please do not jump to any conclusions and make an appointment with your doctor when you have time.
Even if further symptoms such as a rash develops over the next few days, there are again many thousands of bacterias and what not that can cause the same symptoms and they generally are nothing at all to worry about.
Please just relax and seek professional medical advice, as we are not in a position to help you with any kind of diagnosis - I am Sorry!
Best wishes for a happy outcome at the doctors!
Cheers,
Kerry
Shingles show up as a rash that is similar to chicken pox .
Well…unfortunately I was right. I saw the doctor this morning and she said I have shingles. The rash has not yet broken out. She started me on an anti-virus medication. I can’t go to work (teacher) for at least a week. I don’t know what to expect. I’m afraid to read too much on the internet about it. I know it can lead to neuropathic pain…last thing an ATN patient needs more of!!! I just wonder if the TN and this is somehow related. Have any of you had shingles? I’m almost afraid to ask. I’m sure there are some bad scenarios. I don’t want to dwell on the worst. I’m scared though.
Projecting about the what ifs are counter productive. I have known a lot of people who have gotten shingles really bad on their face and never got TN. Take this one day at a time!
OK Sarah. Thank you:) BTW, how long did they have the rash/blisters on their face?
My pastor’s wife said she had the blisters for about 3 weeks. If you were started on the medication even before they started to break out, hopefully your time will be shorter. Oh and when I asked her, she told me the nerves in her face our fine. Shingles run much like chicken pox and the break out for chicken pox is 7 - 10 days.
Between the shingles on the left side of my head and TMJ and ATN on the other side, I just lost it last night. I try to remain positive because I know being negative only makes me feel worse but it was all just too much. I cried and cried and cried. It makes me doubt a lot of things. I try to trust God and have hope but when things keep happening it gets pretty hard. I just want to be normal like I used to be…strong, energetic, happy…I feel like I’m cursed and being destroyed. Guess I’m having a pity party:(