So I was just diagnosed with Shingles yesterday. I had started to have some pain in my skin on my thighs. I was trying to explain it to my hubby and I kept saying, "I know this sounds crazy but my skin hurts." We have had rain every day for almost 2 weeks so I haven't been out in the sun. I thought maybe it was from my skin bouncing when running but then realized that it didn't make sense since I have been running forever and the skin has been there for over a year. After about 5 days of the painful skin I developed a rash on my left thigh (only one side) Saturday afternoon. (The day before my 45th bday...lucky me.) Luckily I had remembered that those were symptoms of Shingles. (The painful skin, the rash on only one side.) So I began to google and it said if you can get treated within 72 hours of the rash developing then it heals a lot faster.
I went to my PCP less than 48 hours from the rash onset and was given antibiotics. The rash is painful but not unbearable. My only concern at this point is the antibiotic. So far I have taken 4 of the 21 pills with no issues. (3X a day for 7 days) I am so lucky I caught it early. I do think that I might have a more mild case of it because of the fact that my pain is not unbearable.
I had posted about it on Facebook and one of my coworkers mentioned it to my manager. (I had been off Friday and Monday for my birthday.) She sent me a text Monday night saying I would have to be cleared by our work clinic when I came in today. I went in and they told me I needed a note from my doctor. I called my PCP but he was in clinic and they said they would email him. I waited for 2 1/2 hours and still no note so I went home. When my doctor called me I said to put on the note I could return to work tomorrow and just enjoyed another day off.
Funny thing is you can't pass on Shingles. It is only contagious when you have open blisters and there is direct contact. And what you are passing on is chicken pox to someone who has not had it. I work with adults so there is less of a chance that there are people who have not had chicken pox. I also have it on a spot that is not exposed at work. But since my manager insisted I get a note saying I was cleared for work I got to enjoy an extra day off. LOL.
At any rate...hoping this passes soon. I have been so uber busy lately with life. My oldest daughter is a senior so it has literally been one thing after another. I need a vacation. LOL.
Hope you are all doing well.
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