Linx
April 22nd, 2004, 08:10 PM
On Monday my husband was diagnosed with shingles. For those of you, like me (I thought it was a bacterial virus, before researching), it is a nerve disease. If you have had chickenpox in the past as a child or adult, you can develop shingles. It is a dormant virus that can spring to life, if your immune system is down, or in some cases, just because I guess. Although it is not as common as a lot of diseases, it is more common in older folk, then in people my husband's age (32). Usually people my husband's age that have the disease, have a low immune system due to cancer, leukemia, aids, etc. So, this has the Drs looking for other things that may be wrong with him.
This nerve disease, spreads through all the tiny nerves in an area of the body. Making muscle pain unbearable. A bad blistery rash also develops. I sat here and thought myself, hey how bad can it be.. a rash.. heh, can't be too much. But I have been sitting here day after day watching him hunch over in pain. Even on 4 pills of the max dose of codine, I watch him curl up in pain with these attacks. He usually has a high tolerance for pain, so I know this has to be very bad. It started on his chest and back, and has now spread to his neck and face. The rash will soon follow there.
This could be a one time occurance, that will clear itself up (there is no cure) in about 5 more weeks, or he could be living with this for the rest of his life. The Dr said few people (not sure how many that is) live with it for their lifetime, but he also said few people my Husband's age get it. So in my opinion, things are not looking up.
He is getting depressed, and I don't like where this is taking him.
I am not one to ask for energy, but seeing my Husband in his current state breaks my heart. If you can spare any energy, it would be greatly appreciated. I will take anything I can get. Thank you all in advance.
With much appreciation...
This nerve disease, spreads through all the tiny nerves in an area of the body. Making muscle pain unbearable. A bad blistery rash also develops. I sat here and thought myself, hey how bad can it be.. a rash.. heh, can't be too much. But I have been sitting here day after day watching him hunch over in pain. Even on 4 pills of the max dose of codine, I watch him curl up in pain with these attacks. He usually has a high tolerance for pain, so I know this has to be very bad. It started on his chest and back, and has now spread to his neck and face. The rash will soon follow there.
This could be a one time occurance, that will clear itself up (there is no cure) in about 5 more weeks, or he could be living with this for the rest of his life. The Dr said few people (not sure how many that is) live with it for their lifetime, but he also said few people my Husband's age get it. So in my opinion, things are not looking up.
He is getting depressed, and I don't like where this is taking him.
I am not one to ask for energy, but seeing my Husband in his current state breaks my heart. If you can spare any energy, it would be greatly appreciated. I will take anything I can get. Thank you all in advance.
With much appreciation...