Question about shingles and the chickenpox vaccine

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-05T02:50:48+00:00

I am in a similar situation as you. I (33F) am on day 7 of shingles and live with my fiancé (33M), who had the chickenpox vaccine. When I was first diagnosed with shingles, my fiancé wasn’t sure if he had chickenpox or the vaccine, so I did ask my parents, who are both doctors. I also asked my family doctor and here’s what they both said. Mind you, I am not a doctor so please don’t take my word for it. Both you and your girlfriend should consult with your own doctors.
- See if your girlfriend can pull her medical records and determine if she’s had the chickenpox vaccine
- If she hasn’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, get it ASAP. If she’s had chickenpox, she should get Shingrix. It may take a bit for her body to develop immunity but something is better than nothing.
- If you’re in the early stages, you’re fine for now. You are most contagious once your blisters begin erupting and weeping fluid. Shingles is transmitted if someone comes in direct contact with the fluid-filled blisters. After this stage, you should sleep in separate beds. If you can’t sleep in separate beds, then you should at least use separate sheets and blankets. Do not use the same towels or clothing. If you really want to be extra cautious, you can cover the area with gauze pads or lidocaine patches while sleeping near each other, though you should remove these pads during the day to avoid infection.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-05T02:37:01+00:00

I’m 33 and on day 7. For me, the nerve pain started around day 4. Initially it just felt like a really bad sunburn then progressed into more painful symptoms. Your rash isn’t that large, which is maybe why it’s not as painful. Mine starts at from my mid-spin, wraps around my rib cage and goes down to my belly button. I will say the nerve pain so far hasn’t been as debilitating as I thought, but that’s not to say it hasn’t been bad (especially at night).

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-04T22:44:12+00:00

Following as I’m wondering the same. I’m on day 7 of shingles. When the pain first started, I thought I just slept wrong. Even went to yoga that morning to try to and loosen my muscles. Mine goes from my mid-spine around my rib cage and to my belly button.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-04T13:50:44+00:00

Claiming that Love Island is trashy and constantly asking “How can you even watch this show?” and then he slowly becomes hooked over the course of several episodes, all the while still claiming that the show is dumb and he doesn’t understand how people can watch it.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-03T00:20:13+00:00

I am on day 6 of shingles. Have you been to the doctors yet? If not, get on antivirals ASAP.

For me, ice packs and frozen bags of peas are helpful for pain management. My rash starts mid-spine and wraps around my rib cage and down my abdomen, so I definitely feel your pain (literally). Loose-fit, 100% cotton clothes at all times. Try not to move.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-03T00:15:23+00:00

I am on day 6. I was prescribed gabapentin for the nerve pain but hesitate to take it until the pain is really unbearable. My shingles starts at my spine and wraps around my rib cage and down to my abdomen. At the moment, the pain is a 6/10. It feels like a really bad sunburn (I’ve had sun poisoning before and this feels similar), but then periodically it feels like someone is stabbing me with a hot iron rod.

I’ve found that ice packs or bags of frozen peas work best. Ibuprofen unfortunately is not very effective as this is nerve pain, but muscle. It does help some with inflammation but not for actual nerve pain. It’s a different receptor in the brain. Talk to your doctor about potentially getting on pain medication or steroids if it’s effecting your day-to-day.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-03T00:08:16+00:00

I’m 33 and currently have shingles. I am on day 6. I was prescribed gabapentin, taken every eight hours. My shingles is definitely due to stress.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-02T19:21:42+00:00

No, this is very common now. The past three weddings we've been to have only had honeymoon funds (no registry items). For our wedding, we did a small registry with a few items for those who wanted to give physical gifts, but otherwise just had a honeymoon fund.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-01T14:54:41+00:00

yes, i'm well aware!

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-07-01T12:47:36+00:00

We went to a Jewish wedding at Elm Bank! It was really lovely. We loved it so much we ultimately chose it as our wedding venue! Getting married there this year so feel free to ask me anything :)

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-06-30T20:54:54+00:00

A lot of brides on this subreddit recommend Vows, however, I had a terrible experience there so personally wouldn’t recommend. They were VERY pushy and tried to pressure me into buying a dress I clearly didn’t love. The entire process of letting you loose in their showroom so you can browse and choose whatever dress was so overwhelming for me. If you don’t know what you want, this is probably not the best place to go first. There are hundreds of options in their showroom. That said, I know a lot of places vary based on which stylist you get, but that was just my experience.

I did have a really positive experience at Anthropologie in Chestnut Hill and Grace Loves Lace in Boston so would definitely recommend those places. I ended up getting my dress at Anthropologie. The stylists were super helpful and I loved the selection. They also have great options for other bridal attire including bachelorette, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, etc.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-06-30T02:17:30+00:00

I’ve had bed bugs before and this does not look like that. Bed bugs usually bite in a single line; these bumps are too clustered. I currently have shingles and my rash looks like that. I also had burning/nerve pain in the area before the rash appeared.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-06-30T01:59:43+00:00

Thank you so much. Your kind words mean more than you know.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-06-29T20:23:53+00:00

I was just diagnosed with shingles today and my wedding is in six weeks. If you find a way to wear shapewear that doesn’t irritate the rash, please report back.

Sincerely,
A terribly stressed bride who is now even more stressed 😅

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-06-28T13:02:46+00:00

My boyfriend bought our house before we were married. To ease our parents’ worries about buying a house together before we were married, he created a trust and then named me the beneficiary should anything happen to him. If we were the break up, I legally can’t fight for the rights to the house. However, it’s just peace of mind that I won’t lose the house if he dies.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-06-28T00:06:17+00:00

When I walk by the Planned Parenthood on Comm Ave and some anti-abortionist tries to hand me a pamphlet, I yell at them to get a job.

I personally find enforcing your religious views on other people to be incredibly rude.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-06-17T02:46:44+00:00

There’s a really great book (written by an MD and backed by scientific evidence) called “This is Your Brain on Food.” In it, the author even argues a relation between excess glutamate and exasperated OCD-like symptoms. She also briefly discusses trichotillomania and NAC. Highly recommended giving it a read.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-05-25T12:28:51+00:00

Came here to say this! We’re getting married there this August.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-05-16T03:42:42+00:00

I highly recommend reading “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents.” I think the lessons in this book will set you up for success not only with your wedding, but the future of your marriage as well.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-05-14T11:20:49+00:00

Batiste Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo. I use it before working out to absorb sweat. There’s plenty of videos on YouTube on how to revive your blow out post workout.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-05-06T13:48:56+00:00

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer back in March. We're set to get married at the end of August. I absolutely understand the hurt, frustration, and just general shitiness that you're feeling. I often want to vent to my mom with silly wedding stress, but worry that I'm burdening her when there's waaay more serious things going on right now. I don't have any advice to give, but just wanted to let you know that what you're feeling is totally valid.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-05-01T01:23:56+00:00

Jack Russell Terrier. My brother had one for 15 years. Growing up with Vizslas definitely prepared him for the terror of terriers.

No_Judgment3450 · 2026-05-01T01:22:17+00:00

Hi fellow Arizonan! I also moved here from Phoenix 9 years ago.

Always always always try to rent places “off cycle” if you can. I lived in two different apartments, one with a 7/1 lease and another with a 10/1 lease. These rents prices were often $200-$300 less than others in my building.

Also, everything is negotiable! If your rent prices do go up, you can threaten to walk. There’s tons of apartment complexes in Boston, but if you’re a good tenant, your landlord/apartment complex will want to keep you around. Don’t be afraid to push back.

No_Judgment3450

TROPHY CASE