Information about shingles

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 19:44

My poor Dad has been suffering with shingles for nearly a year now and although he has been prescribed pills by his GP he isn't getting any better. I have read that Capsaicin cream (contains an extract from chilli peppers) can help relieve pain and was wondering if anyone has had any experience of this and whether it helped at all. Also, can it be bought in the UK from a pharmacy?

Thanks in anticipation.

Jo

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 19:58

Be careful how you use that stuff.

Capsaicin is also the active ingredient in riot control and personal defense pepper spray chemical agents. When the spray comes in contact with skin, especially eyes or mucous membranes, it is very painful, and breathing small particles of it as it disperses can cause breathing difficulty, which serves to discourage assailants. Refer to the Scoville scale for a comparison of pepper spray to other sources of capsaicin.

In large quantities, capsaicin can cause death.[45] Symptoms of overdose include difficulty breathing, blue skin, and convulsions. The large amount needed to kill an adult human and the low concentration of capsaicin in chilies make the risk of accidental poisoning by chili consumption negligible.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 20:00

Capsaicin is a highly irritant material requiring proper protective goggles, respirators, and proper hazardous material handling procedures. It is hazardous in cases of skin contact (irritant, sensitizer), eye contact (irritant), ingestion, and inhalation (lung irritant, lung sensitizer). Severe over-exposure to pure capsaicin can result in death; the lethal dose (LD50 in mice) is 47.2 mg/kg.Numerous other adverse health effects can occur in mammals.

Painful exposures to capsaicin-containing peppers are among the most common plant-related exposures presented to poison centers. They cause burning or stinging pain to the skin, and if ingested in large amounts by adults or small amounts by children, can produce nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and burning diarrhea. Eye exposure produces intense tearing, pain, conjunctivitis and blepharospasm.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 20:01

Capsaicin is currently used in topical ointments, as well as a high-dose dermal patch (trade name Qutenza, one 30- to 60-minute-application every 90 days), to relieve the pain of peripheral neuropathy such as post-herpetic neuralgia caused by shingles. It may be used in concentrations of between 0.025% and 0.075%. It may be used as a cream for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with arthritis, simple backache, strains and sprains, often in compounds with other rubefacients. The treatment typically involves the application of a topical anesthetic until the area is numb. Then the capsaicin is applied by a therapist wearing rubber gloves and a face mask. The capsaicin remains on the skin until the patient starts to feel the "heat", at which point it is promptly removed. Capsaicin is also available in large bandages that can be applied to the back.

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 20:12

Bill,

Don't forget the unexpected and agonising pain during "comfort breaks" experienced by police who have used Captor spray or had curry on their hands, or both. I speak from experience.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 20:20

Zoots. I never thought of that! )

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:27

It went something like this: "Huh? Ow! Arghhh! Aieeeeeeeeeee please kill me or make it stop!"

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:28

Very ouch - sympathy

TRNCvictim


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 1417

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 21:51

joandjelly (mess 1)



If your Dad has been suffering from the affects of Shingles for over a year! I would think there is some underlying problem? so maybe he needs more tests to sort out!

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 22:01

TRNCvictim he regularly sees his GP. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for shingles to last for a very long time. I just wondered if anybody had had personal experience of the cream I mentioned.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 22:02

Zoots. Was it followed by - "Not Guilty m'lud" )

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 22:13

No 1 if you just want to have a laugh can you please start your own thread and close this one. Thanks.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 22:25

Sorry for going off topic.

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 22:47

Me too, my fault.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 22:51

i thought shingles was roof tiles ?

TRNCvictim


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 1417

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:03

joandjelly (mess 10)



I don't have personal experience of the cream you mentioned! but I do have a mum of 87 who had shingles a couple of years ago, and she had an underlying problem!



Anyway I hope your dad feels better soon!

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:13

msg 15 too many nights on the tiles maybe

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:18

One thing that can help shingles to clear up is extra vitamins and minerals... the best way to get these is naturally from increased fish, fruit and veg.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
09/03/2011 23:25

JandJ I had shingles and very painful it is. I feel for your dad. Aloe Vera cream could help. I didnt know about the value of Aloe till I had ME , now I swear by it. xxxGod bless your dad and good luck finding a solution.

bigjuss


Joined: 09/09/2010
Posts: 221

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 00:38

hi joandjelly,

ignore the saddos on here who try & fail to make cheap jokes about every thread posted....

shingles is not a laughing matter.ive had it twice & its nasty!

it came on in india,i was really run down & lack of sleep due to the rock hard beds the indians swear by..like sleeping on a bag o' spanners!

it erupted over my right eye,swelled right up,the skin split & it wept like mad....horrible!

ointment and tablets cleared it within a few days.

last time i had it,september in cyprus,same again,run down and lack of sleep.partying too hard & not getting to bed till 9am,3 or 4 nights on the trot..

i went to the chemist in catalkoy (on the same block as hot chick)

the lady in there speaks perfect english & she knew exactly what ointment to give me for shingles.

sorry i dont remember the name of it,but she seemed to know lots about the condition.

go and see her,the stuff she gave me cleared it in 3 days..

loads of sleep and vitamins is the key!...hope your dad gets better

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 02:18

I'm a layman, but my late father had shingles - and I seem to recall he patted calamine lotion on, as one would for sunburn.........to 'cool' the skin and lessen the pain - I do remember he was in awful pain whilst it lasted.......

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 05:02

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aciclovir



Shingles used to be treated with Aciclovir (Zovirax) cream and tablets in the UK, the product is still available so maybe due to the cost the GP is not prescribing it! Very painful condition, hope your dad feels better soon.



Chris

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 13:46

My daughter got shingles which would not go away and the doctor gave her 2 well spaced out shots of some antiviral stuff. Cleared it up within a couple of weeks. She had had her shingles for about 3 months then and she is only in her 30's.



I am sure though that it is linked to exhaustion - being totally run down and perhaps not eating properly which were all apparent with my daughter before the shingles broke out.



She now takes better care of herself. I think your dad's immune system is perhaps not working as it should and the doctor should be mortified that he has been left to suffer it for such a long time. Perhaps it is time that his family went to see the Practice Manager at the Health Centre and complained at his lack of treatment.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 14:27

Hi joandjelly , you should not apply Capsaicum to broken or inflammed skin . Amitriptyline is excellent for the use of nerve pain . Now i know this sounds odd , and i have used it sucessfully many years ago when i was a DN . Wrap cling film around the affected area a few times , so that contact from clothes doesn't actually cause pain to the person . { Of course you won't be able to do that if it's on his face, and this his is not a medical treatment } Just a thought , it's worth a try

good luck , Simbas

gallop


Joined: 12/12/2010
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 14:44

Last year i developed shingles on the back of my neck which was quite painful and worrying according to my Cypriot doctor as he said your " big donna " could travel and affect your brain which luckily it did not. My chemist [ next to Tempos ] said she had it around her tummy some years earlier and felt more pain than when she gave birth to her children. No laughing matter i can tell you.

pollymarples


Joined: 08/08/2010
Posts: 1778

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 14:57

You can get aciclovir cream made by other companies from the Pound shop in UK, exactly the same as Zovirax

but obviously a fraction of the price and since shingles is from the same virus family as chickenpox Herpes zoster, it make sense that it could help to alleviate the symptoms and give your Dad some much needed relief and perhaps an analgesic for the pain it causes from attacking the nerves.



I do hope he recovers soon.

Colliedog


Joined: 16/03/2007
Posts: 132

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 15:13

Hi Joandjelly,



Don't knock this until one tries it? Old remedy for shingles.



3 large cups of " Porage Oats" put into your bath water and then have a good soak in it.



Have your dad try it out, what has he got to loose? It very soothing on the Shingles. And it works!

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 16:24

Thanks everyone for your tips and advice. I don't think my Dad has skin eruptions any more just nerve pain down his neck and onto the shoulder. He is 79 this year, very healthy and sleeps well although I think he does a little too much (volunteers in a hospice shop 4 days a week and worries about my sister and I) and one of his sisters died last year which was a worrying time for him. I did suggest that perhaps he should get a second opinion but he is of the "stiff upper lip, grin and bear it" generation. i will suggest he tries Zovirax and failing that he will be here in late April so could go and see a pharmacist then if he is still having problems.

Thanks again.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 18:30

No doubt Nurse Awful will correct me, but I think Shingles is caused by the same Virus as Chickenpox and very painful....Hope your Dad gets better soon

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
10/03/2011 19:25

message 29 Martin,



No need for me to correct you the only real difference is that chickenpox is highly contagious and shingles is not, and yes very painful!





Chris

caringstd66


Joined: 22/03/2011
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
22/03/2011 08:31

sorry to hear that. It says on the largest STD support and safe dating community Positivemate.com, about 1 in 6 Americans between ages of 14 and 49 is infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). 1 in 4 teen girls got stds. sounds terrible.

trooper


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 211

Message Posted:
22/03/2011 13:52

see your GP and he will prescribe the appropriate anti-viral medication. Nothing else works.

annie


Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 208

Message Posted:
22/03/2011 16:40

Hi there

My Mum suffered the nerve pain you described following Shingles and at times was in real agony after nearly two years of suffering we persuaded her to go back to the GP, we went with her to reiterate the severe pain she was still going through. He reluctantly arranged for her to see a specialist at the hospital who said she should never have let it get so bad. She was imediately refered to the pain clinic as he called it and was put on a course of injections. No idea of what they used and it was not a quick fix but after a couple of months she was pain free. Tell your Dad not to carry on suffering it wont go away any time soon without help.