Shingles produces intense pain

For many people, childhood includes a bout of chicken pox. once that virus subsides, it lays dormant in the body. resting in the spinal column until one day, for unknown reasons it re-activates, travels down a nerve ending, producing very painful shingles. Maria Hayes reports.

Two new leisions the size of pimples showed up Friday morning. But Pat Kresak says that’s nothing compared to what he woke up to one morning, 9-weeks ago: “There were leisions all over my chin and my face and about an inch away from my eye going up into my hair line. And that’s when I realized that there was a severe problem.”

It was a problem that started days earlier. Intense headaches progressed to jaw pain and burning lips. Although she had them years earlier, his wife Sharon never suspected shingles: “We both get migraines so we thought maybe thats what it is. but me having had them along my hair line and in my head i should have related to the piercing pain at the side of his head.”

Thats the irritated nerve endings that can cause extreme pain for weeks, months or even years. Dr. Nellina Saveriano says shingles on the face, particularly around the eyes should be examined quickly: “The older a person is at the onset sometimes the greater the chance of more discomfort with regards to the postherpetic neuralgia. Most important if they see a blister in the nasal tip area they should see their doctor immediately. They can lose sight in their eye.”

Pat’s vision wasn’t impacted. but he still has numbness throughout his face and tongue, as well as fluid in his ear. Anti-viral medication within the first 48-hours can minimize the symptoms.

Sharon Kresak, Pat’s wife, had shingles years ago: “Yes the medication worked. but he would have not had it for 9-weeks if weèd have gotten to it earlier. so people should relate to that piercing pain. whether its around your middle or where ever they might have this unique pain.”

Shingles are contagious to anyone who hasn’t had the chicken pox, people with a weakened immune system and pregnant women. A vaccine is available to people over 60. It may not prevent getting shingles, but it should minimize the symptoms. And despite the extreme pain, Pat Kresak did find a silver lining. The illness allowed him to lose about 10 pounds.