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Two Days Ago I Felt Weak, Nauseous, Clammy And Very

Posted on Thu, 8 Nov 2018

Question: Two days ago I felt weak, nauseous, clammy and very unwell. I thought I might have a heart attack. This morning I see blisters and have pain around my rib cage and blisters. Shingles! How and why could these" heart attack symptoms" precede shingles?
Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please see the detailed answer below...

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service...
I've gone through your query in details...
I can understand your concerns...

Please note, all those symptoms that you've experienced two days ago, are non-specific and can be seen in numerous conditions (not only heart attack but also any form of respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, even in case of an impending acid reflux to name a few)...

Now, any of those above can weaken our body's immunity and internal harmony, which in turn reactivates shingles (the responsible virus actually remain dormant in the nerve cells). So, that's why probably you've got it this time...

Good thing that you've started the medications already, it'd be improving with a couple of days only...

For the pain, you may take a painkiller such as ACETAMINOPHEN 650mg (eg. Tylenol) up to thrice daily after some food for the next 3-4 days and observe the progress.

-Please also do some lukewarm saltwater gargle twice daily...Along with it, drink a lot of fluids. Have plenty of warm liquids (soups, broth, porridge etc.), they'll act as an immunity booster and fasten the recovery.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (48 minutes later)

Thank you for your prompt reply.
Question: I had the shingles vaccine in 2016. Why did it not protect me from getting shingles again? This is my third shingles outbreak within the last 6 years. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The vaccine is most effective in people of 60-69years age...

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,

Well, the average timespan of the vaccine lasts about 5 years, while the rate reduction of shingles is reported as only by 51% (means nearly 49% of the remaining individuals it was relapsed)...

Another important point to note is, this vaccine is most effective in people of 60 through 69 years old. However, it does offer some protection after 70yrs, but it's quite less comparatively. With progressing age the level of protection gets decreased, there are ongoing researches regarding this.

Hope this answers your query.

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
most welcome...

Detailed Answer:
Glad to be of service...

Most welcome anytime...

Get well soon...

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (8 minutes later)

Thank you. The information you provided was very helpful and educational as well.