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Last Saturday I was on my way to get a 2nd caudal epidural when the department called me to cancel. I was upset because the 1st one had helped me, and the pain was worse again.
This week I found I was developing hyperesthesia (hyper sensitivity) on several areas on my right butt and leg. I have had shingles before and thought I was getting a bad case of it, but I didn't get the blisters. The hyperesthesia has been getting worse, and it's uncomfortable for me to even touch the areas affected. My clothes are irritating me, especially the elastic (or whatever is used) in my underwear.
What's worrying me is that it is this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflex_Sym ... _Dystrophy
which is now known as complex regional pain syndrome.
I have treated many people with this problem and know how intractable it is, and impossible to deal with.
I am getting the epidural this Saturday.
Hold thumbs for me that it works and that I don't have CRPS!
I hope you get your caudal very soon and you don't have what you suspect may be causing your symptoms. It sounds awful and I'm hoping for the best for you, Lesley.
Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
It's SHINGLES!! I would never have thought I would say that with relief, but I am mightily relieved today. I was SO pleased when I saw the blisters. Amazing what makes me happy these days.
I am not taking the meds for it because there is no doubt it would set off the MC big time. I have enough trouble with it as it is (the MC, I mean). I don't need WD 24/7 on top of my broken back, ruptured disks and shingles.
Sheila - I hope I can get the caudal very soon too!
Thanks guys.
Lesley wrote:Amazing what makes me happy these days.
Ain't that the truth. I have a hunch that applies to virtually all of us.
I hope the symptoms don't get too bad.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Sorry about the shingles, Lesley. They are bad enough, I'm glad it's nothing worse.
I want you to know that this Emoticon bouquet is well beyond my Emoticon price range but I know how painful shingles can be so I'm really going all out on this one.....laughing beats crying.....well, maybe not always but usually. Feel better!
I'm glad to hear you don't have what you thought you might have, Lesley.
Shingles can be very, very painful, Lesley, and you may want to rethink taking one of the anti-virals that prevent the shingles virus from multiplying and becoming much worse. The anti-viral meds also reduce the chance of post-herpetic neuralgia, which can be horribly painful. The side effects for the anti-virals don't seem to include diarrhea and when I took them I had no side effects at all. I had shingles before being diagnosed with MC and celiac but antibiotics frequently caused D for me. Not so with Valcyclovir. You should start medication for shingles as soon as possible for the drug to be effective.
Hoping you have a mild case,
Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
Lesley, I'm with Sheila. I know of a man who wouldn't take anything for the pain. As a result he is perpetually in pain from it even though the shingles is over.
I have had shingles 7-8 times in the last 12 years; I lost count. Last spring when I had a breakout I did take the Valtrex again and it did not give me issues with the gut. I always start with a little dot by the eye (I would think it was a bug bite) and the first two times I waited one day too much because it spread down the entire right side of my face and was very painful. Since the breakouts happen near the eye then I have to have my eyes checked to make sure it did not effect the eye because it can cause blindness.
I hope this helps with your decision about taking medication.
oooooh Leaslie, shingles. Ouch. I don't want to scare you, but My Dad didn't take the meds and has ended up having on going nerve damage and pain even now, after the shingles were gone. I hope it's a light case.
I have a hunch that applies to virtually all of us.
Praying for a mild case, too.
