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What Causes Severe Cold While Recovering From Shingles?
Question: Yes I wrote to about my getting the shingles a whiile back. My question now is this. After the shingle was pretty well gone I came down with this bad cold. No big deal , but on Saturday I got this bad catch in my left side by my ribs and can't take a deep breath. Well I just thought it was a gas pain and it would go away. But it didn't. I woke up Sunday night and still couldn't. It almost feels like I broke a rib. I went in as I thought what if something went to my lung. They did x-Rays and found nothing and said it was probably irritation of the pleura from coughing, which I haven't really been doing that hard. It's Monday and it is still here. My question is, I've never had anything like this before. In 2006 I had cholangiocarcinoma and had 85% of my liver removed. I've heard that stress such as cancer can bring on shingles. Is it possible that there is something the x-rays aren't picking up? How long should I give this pain to resolve before I go back in?
Brief Answer:
Appears to be costchondritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at HCM.
According to the symptoms it appears that it is some muscular pain like costochondritis and unrelated to shingles. It causes sharp pain which is constant and increases with movements. X Ray do not pick this disese. You can get diathermy ie heat application for few days. It will be effective along with ibuprofen. If pain is associated with breathing it is likely pleural pain which will require physical examination. Now coming to your second question yes it is very much likely that individuals with cancer and stress who have low immunity to catch shingles. Preventing the spread of shingles include keeping your skin clean, avoiding contact with individuals who have not had chickenpox or who have weakened immune systems. Washing any items you touch with boiling water to kill the virus is also of importance. Eat protein rich healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Take multivitamins and calcium supplement regularly. Wait for about a week more then visit an orthopedic surgeon. Avoid unnecessary exercise or activities that make the symptoms worse.
Hope I answered your query
If no clarification then you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
A review will be appreciated.
Dr Sheetal Verma
Appears to be costchondritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at HCM.
According to the symptoms it appears that it is some muscular pain like costochondritis and unrelated to shingles. It causes sharp pain which is constant and increases with movements. X Ray do not pick this disese. You can get diathermy ie heat application for few days. It will be effective along with ibuprofen. If pain is associated with breathing it is likely pleural pain which will require physical examination. Now coming to your second question yes it is very much likely that individuals with cancer and stress who have low immunity to catch shingles. Preventing the spread of shingles include keeping your skin clean, avoiding contact with individuals who have not had chickenpox or who have weakened immune systems. Washing any items you touch with boiling water to kill the virus is also of importance. Eat protein rich healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Take multivitamins and calcium supplement regularly. Wait for about a week more then visit an orthopedic surgeon. Avoid unnecessary exercise or activities that make the symptoms worse.
Hope I answered your query
If no clarification then you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
A review will be appreciated.
Dr Sheetal Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Boy you totally miss the point of this question. I said I can't take a deep breath. I'll figure it out eventually. And you answered as if you didn't see that.
Brief Answer:
Costochondritis and pleuritis causes pain and difficulty in breathing.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Well come back.
Even in chostochondritis pain increases with inspiration and movement and causes difficulty in acute cases. It could even be pleuritis which can be sometimes missed by XRay and causes difficulty in respiration. But you need to get physically examined again to find the right cause by a pulmonologist or orthopedic surgeon.
Take care
Costochondritis and pleuritis causes pain and difficulty in breathing.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Well come back.
Even in chostochondritis pain increases with inspiration and movement and causes difficulty in acute cases. It could even be pleuritis which can be sometimes missed by XRay and causes difficulty in respiration. But you need to get physically examined again to find the right cause by a pulmonologist or orthopedic surgeon.
Take care
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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