Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Persistent Pain And Rashes And Shingles In Abdominal Area?
Question: Yes, I HAVE SHINGLES and now in fourth week, in the abdominal area right side. Rash is getting better but pain is persistent, extremely sensitive to being touched and even clothing is difficult. Sleep is not easy due to discomfort. Will it ever end? Age 77 and healthy for the most part. (came on suddenly with painful rash, etc.). I contacted the dermatologist (and he insisted I come to his office to check out), then he told me to continue the doxyclcline and gave me another prescription instructing me to continue with same. I have checked for side effects on Mayo Clinic website and realized that some of the symptoms that I thought was shingles could indeed be the medicine. For instance, stomach and abdomen is swollen and extremely sensitive and still have a lot of pain, much of which seems to internal (like inflammation) - even after four weeks of shingles. Reason for this inquiry: Is it possible that symptoms I am experiencing could be more the medication than shingles? I am still quite miserable and can't go even an hour without pain. Don't want to go back to the dermatologist and yes I have an upcoming appointment with my internist. Just need another opinion. Thank you so much - I need to be fully functional. XXXX. at YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Shingles is causing you the discomfort
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail and would be glad to share my thoughts with you.
This Christmas, I started my vacation with a strange kind of discomfort and bloating sensation over the left side of my lower abdomen. At first, being a doctor myself, I thought it could be something like a stomach infection and started taking antibiotics to keep me safe. In about 5 days time I first felt some rashes in the back and within a few hours they increased in number and soon were all over the abdomen on left side like a band. Having seen patients of Shingles, I knew what had started and took a quick opinion from my dermatologist friend and it was confirmed, I had shingles indeed, at a much younger age that it usually happens.
I took the antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin for 5 days) was given medication for shingles. This is an antiviral medication and should be taken within 72 hours of appearance of rashes. I took it for 5 days and felt comfortable. It is to be noted that this medication will not have any control over your rashes if 3 days are over since the first rashes were visible.
The pain and internal inflammation as you describe was there for almost 3 weeks after the rashes and the skin over my abdomen is still sensitive and pains at times. Even after 6 weeks, I am still unable to have a sound sleep due to the increased sensitivity over the skin in the area of rashes.
There are medications which offer a reasonable high level of pain relief but as you have said, one cannot be taking medicines all the time and then it might be a problem to get off the medications too. I usually keep myself busy at work and forget the discomfort during the day. Sleep is still bit disturbed because of the slight burning pain and discomfort but it is improving in the last couple of weeks.
In conclusion, the symptoms you are facing is due to the shingles and not related to medication. You may choose to take pain relief medications as prescribed by your doctor. This discomfort will improve slowly with time and might take about 2 to 4 months. The nerves require few weeks to get back to normal. I am sure you will feel fully functional in the coming days.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Shingles is causing you the discomfort
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail and would be glad to share my thoughts with you.
This Christmas, I started my vacation with a strange kind of discomfort and bloating sensation over the left side of my lower abdomen. At first, being a doctor myself, I thought it could be something like a stomach infection and started taking antibiotics to keep me safe. In about 5 days time I first felt some rashes in the back and within a few hours they increased in number and soon were all over the abdomen on left side like a band. Having seen patients of Shingles, I knew what had started and took a quick opinion from my dermatologist friend and it was confirmed, I had shingles indeed, at a much younger age that it usually happens.
I took the antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin for 5 days) was given medication for shingles. This is an antiviral medication and should be taken within 72 hours of appearance of rashes. I took it for 5 days and felt comfortable. It is to be noted that this medication will not have any control over your rashes if 3 days are over since the first rashes were visible.
The pain and internal inflammation as you describe was there for almost 3 weeks after the rashes and the skin over my abdomen is still sensitive and pains at times. Even after 6 weeks, I am still unable to have a sound sleep due to the increased sensitivity over the skin in the area of rashes.
There are medications which offer a reasonable high level of pain relief but as you have said, one cannot be taking medicines all the time and then it might be a problem to get off the medications too. I usually keep myself busy at work and forget the discomfort during the day. Sleep is still bit disturbed because of the slight burning pain and discomfort but it is improving in the last couple of weeks.
In conclusion, the symptoms you are facing is due to the shingles and not related to medication. You may choose to take pain relief medications as prescribed by your doctor. This discomfort will improve slowly with time and might take about 2 to 4 months. The nerves require few weeks to get back to normal. I am sure you will feel fully functional in the coming days.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
