Follow Up On "now I Am Sick", Dr. visit Options

[russ1956]

First of all, thanks to everyone who responded to my post. I have felt so alone with this and it was so comforting to hear from people. All the suggestions were appreciated.
I went to my pcp this morning. I had a detailed list of what had transpired with my hosptial visit and finding nothing wrong with me. I gave him a 3 page detailed list of everything that happened plus new symptoms. One of the new symptoms was in the flank area of my back, around where the kidney would be, I was having lots of pain there. In addition I have begun to break out in a number of skin rashes in the last 2 days. I showed it to him and he said "BINGO" You have shingles. He explained that it is basically adult chicken pox that can strike at anytime but especially when then immune system is depressed. Life events and sorrows definately can cause the immune system to be depressed. I asked him how sure he was. He told me that he has been practicing medicine for 21 years and stakes his professional reputuation that he is correct with this diagnosis. He said all the symptoms that I am having are associated with shingles. The reason it was missed by the hospital and himself in the last few weeks is because the rashes had not appeared yet. They were looking at the bigger picture, possibly liver, kidney stones, gall stones, etc. He gave me 3 perscriptions to take for 10 days and follow up with him. He said there is a downside to all of this. 10% of patients with shingles never get rid of the pain, they have it for life. He said that usually is in the 70+ age group. if I am one of the unlucky ones, there are meds that can be perscribed to keep the pain in check. I will hope that goes away. He also said that the pain normally lasts for up to 2 months after you take all the medication for the other 90%. I cried once again (been doing alot of that recently) and hugged him. He laughed and said that he never has seen anyone so happy to have shingles.
I know this is getting long but I have one more important point. I have a post in on this site about 30 days ago entitled "I wish I could Believe" I talked about my not believing in god and not being spiritual. This event has changed my life. I have been praying to god for help the last few days. My prayers have been answered and I will be making major changes to my life and my outlook on things. Please read that post if you want to know what I was thinking then.
Anyway, thank all of you again. I hope I haven't bored you. I really believe that my baby "Rosa" had God watch over me and find and answer to my sickness. Thanks for listening. Rusty

[Rusty's Mom]

Hi Rusty,

I had shingles 14 years ago (at the "old" age of 34) in one ear. The pain was excruciating. I still, on occasion have pain where the shingles were but nothing like when it first happened. Glad (not glad you have shingles) but that you have a confirmed diagnosis.

Hang in there!

Lynn