Anyone had the shingles?

[Irving]

I got it in college, but my case must have been mild because the pain was no big deal.

[DEAGLER]

it is. you get the chicken pox and the virus goes dormant in your nerve cells. you don't break out in shingles til 50's and 60's usually because your immune system still recognizes it and can suppress it. once you get to a higher age your immune system doesn't "remember" it like it used to and it can come out and cause shingles. the singles vaccine basically reorients your immune system to the virus so it continues to recognize and attack it. its about 70-80% effective. there is still a chance of getting it but it is much lower. if in your 50's talk to your doc. if in your 60's just go to a local pharmacy and ask if they give it. most do.

I'm 26 and I got diagnosed with it. I actually diagnosed myself lol. I knew I had it but went doctors for meds. Dr said it was a real good idea to see him because people who don't seek treatment can still be in pain for a few months even though rash is gone.

[Jer]

I got it a couple of years ago and I must have got lucky because for me it wasn't as bad as I heard. It came out of my hairline and down my forehead a little but not too bad. My buddy wasn't as lucky since his came right down to his eye and he had to go into the doctor daily so they could keep an eye on his because there was a danger of loss of vision on that eye. Now THAT is scary.

[Danimal]

I got it a couple of years ago and I must have got lucky because for me it wasn't as bad as I heard. It came out of my hairline and down my forehead a little but not too bad. My buddy wasn't as lucky since his came right down to his eye and he had to go into the doctor daily so they could keep an eye on his because there was a danger of loss of vision on that eye. Now THAT is scary.

That is what happened to me. It was the worst pain in the world, and I still get a nice little reminder every now and again when I feel the wonderful sensation of a circular file being jammed into my eye socket and blowing out my ear drum.