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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taking Antibiotics, Steroids, Morphine For Shingles. Swollen Lymph Glands, Itching, Nausea, Diarrhea

I have been hospitalized for four days and treated with antibiotics, steroids and morphine. My lastest shingles breakouts have been on my ear with some of my head involved. I was diagnosed in 1972 with shingles, which at the time was treated with massive hydrocortizone (sp) shots. My current family practitioner is very young and although I have reported my syptoms to him, he is in the dark about a diagnosis. What do I do? Symptoms include: fatigue, swollen lymph gland, usually in my upper leg area, near my crotch, intense constant stinging pain, horrible itching, nausea, diarrhea, feeling the condition coming on for at least a week before I break out. I have had this condition since I was 19 and discontinued the hydrocortisone shot treatment when it didn't seem to effect, good or bad, the length of the outbreak or the freaquency of occurrences.
posted on Sun, 21 Apr 2013
Twitter Sat, 15 Jun 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 17 Jun 2013 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hi,

thanks for writing to health care magic.

Shingles is a viral infection caused by herpes zoster virus.

It is characterised by fluid filled vesicles,intense pain and burning sensation.Vesicles indicates active infection .It subsides with time and pain and burning sensation may persist for longer duration.Active infection needs to be treated with acyclovir and there is no role for steroids.

Active infcetion recurrs only if your immunity is compromised ,so get checked your immune status.Further line of treatment will be decided based on your report.

I hope this can solve your problem.Take care.
I find this answer helpful
Dermatologist,  Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
so frequent episodes of shingles is quite uncommon.
The medications which you have taken are only supportive.
You might require anti viral drugs.
In addition please get your HIV status done

Let me know if you have any other doubt.
you can ask a direct question to me on this forum, following the below link.
http://www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-rahul-kumar/64818

Wishing you a good health.
Thank you
I find this answer helpful
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Taking Antibiotics, Steroids, Morphine For Shingles. Swollen Lymph Glands, Itching, Nausea, Diarrhea

Hi, thanks for writing to health care magic. Shingles is a viral infection caused by herpes zoster virus. It is characterised by fluid filled vesicles,intense pain and burning sensation.Vesicles indicates active infection .It subsides with time and pain and burning sensation may persist for longer duration.Active infection needs to be treated with acyclovir and there is no role for steroids. Active infcetion recurrs only if your immunity is compromised ,so get checked your immune status.Further line of treatment will be decided based on your report. I hope this can solve your problem.Take care.