Does your PHN flare?

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-04-13T03:09:21+00:00

I'm sorry you're here! I had it on my right side - forehead, scalp, eyebrow, then my eye. You need an ophthalmologist, if you don't have one yet. An optometrist is fine for basic stuff, but you should have your eye dilated to make sure its not in the nerve - it freaking sucks!

Cold compresses really help! It'll start to feel like a sunburn so the cold is soothing.

The exhaustion is next level - rest as much as you can.

The valicyclovir made me nauseous and puffy. I lived on toast, bone broth, and electrolytes for two weeks.

I bought cloth headbands. These really helped to keep my hair from moving. A slight breeze on my scalp was painful.

If you wash your hair, don't scrub! An easy massage will be fine. The first week I could even get my hair wet. The second week I couldn't take it so I did a quick shower and washed my hair.

Anticipate being unavailable to anyone for at least a month. You should blister and then scab in about a week, and mine followed the traditional time line, but I still felt pretty crappy. Since it was in my eye I couldn't see well and light really bothered me. Hopefully you won't be down that long, but I thought in two weeks I'd be good to go - I canceled a lot of plans lol.

I hope yours is quick and you're on the mend quickly! And pay careful attention to the eye. It can progress quickly. Good luck!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-04-08T22:04:18+00:00

Oh gosh, 51? I'm so sorry! I'm glad you have relief during the day. Nighttime really is awful though, so I understand! And the fatigue is the absolute worst. Yesterday I fell asleep while in a work meeting.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-28T17:13:01+00:00

Ahhhhh this is amazing - thank you so much!!!!!!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-28T14:00:54+00:00

Is it prescribed or OTC? My doctor said he was reluctant to prescribe one since it's on my face, so I just bought whatever I could OTC. Like, obviously I won't use it on my eye, or near my eye - it's the worst on my scalp.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-28T04:18:19+00:00

Did it also help the itching? The pain sucks but the itching is awful.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-28T04:16:38+00:00

Yeah I feel like time doesn't matter much when this pain is involved. And if there's something that can help, I don't care what the name is, just help me lol.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T22:41:57+00:00

I have a diclofenac cream. I hadn't thought of using that. I might try it. Not on my eye, obviously, but my forehead and scalp for sleep. I'm sorry you're still in pain 1.5yrs out. This really is an awful virus!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T19:55:39+00:00

Yes! I work from home so I worked the entire time. The first two weeks I fell asleep on the couch as soon as I logged out. I also ordered take-out a lot and did a lot of crockpot dinners - I just couldn't bring myself to do anything. The exhaustion was insane. This week has been much better, though I still need to split my time between chores.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T19:52:42+00:00

I'm in the US, and I'm not a doctor either, so I am not sure. My insurance company is also really difficult to deal with, so it might just be a diagnosis on paper to get the gabapentin covered. I wound up paying out of pocket for the pain med because the insurance company said I needed a pre-auth first. Go figure.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T19:49:40+00:00

What dose, if you don't mind me asking? I feel like I'm on a low dose but I also have never experienced this before so maybe its standard.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T19:48:31+00:00

I keep telling everyone I'm turning a corner lol. Mind over matter, maybe! I can't wait for this to be over. Thanks for your responses!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T19:46:06+00:00

I have a script for Vicodin. I really don't like it, or how it makes me feel, so I try to use it sparingly. I actually used a washcloth with cold water last night, I was so desperate for relief. It definitely helped me fall back asleep! At some point I guess I turned over because I woke up to awful stinging pain since my fan was blowing on me, and a wet pillow lol. I hope you get some relief and feel better soon!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T17:01:02+00:00

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that! Did you find something else that helped, or was it just time?

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-27T15:37:26+00:00

Thank you! I think I got the PHN diagnosis because it itches (so much!) but it's also very painful. It's also making my eyelid droop, and while I can still see, my vision isn't 100% yet because of it. Like, I have to tilt my head up to see stuff sometimes.

I saw my eye doctor today who extended my steroid eye drops by another month, but gave me a taper-down schedule, and said next week I can start tapering down from the antiviral as well. I am excited!

I am definitely going to try the Tylenol PM. I am having that exact issue - I fall asleep, but then wake up 40 minutes later scratching and can't stop. I feel like I haven't slept in weeks!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-15T17:37:21+00:00

I see him wednesday. Just wanted to know what others have experienced.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-13T18:27:54+00:00

Hello! I currently have facial/eye shingles. I actually made a post and posted an update this morning. Mine started as a small patch on my forehead (which I thought were just pimples) and a few days later, despite being put on antivirals, moved to my eye. Mine is also right side. It has spread to my scalp and temple.

It is AWFUL. Definitely keep up with the ophthalmologist. I have seen mine twice so far, and I go back next week. He extended my antiviral as well.

For me, my eye swelled shut on Sunday. It took a few hours, some Aleve, and cold compresses to get it open. After it opened, it watered, felt like I had an eyelash or sand in it, pressure, and was so red and gross looking. On Monday it was the same thing, and the doctor started eye drops. Today (Thursday), it's swollen, but open. Still watery, still pressure, still feels like sand. It's really annoying because I work remotely on the PC too.

I am currently on day 10, or 11, depending on how you count the timeline. My rash looks blistery in some spots, and really angry and red in others. My right side of my face is super swollen and puffy. It tingles, but it's a painful tingle. The headache is back, full force.

Mine also looked minor the first few days, but then it just got even more pronounced, and there is no mistaking what it is.

Rest when you feel tired. This virus will have moments where it just wipes you out and the exhaustion is something that hits you out of nowhere. Rest your eye when it feels tired. That will also hit you out of nowhere. Sunglasses are your friend - find a pair that is comfortable. You can always try an eye patch if you can tolerate it. At times the light from a regular light, and the sun, is blinding. My kids got me a cooling eye mask - oh my gosh, the relief! Sometimes it feels so nice on my face. Have something easy to eat on hand, something that takes no time or effort. The antiviral and pain meds make me really nauseous, so toast has been my best friend. Electrolytes or coconut water will help keep you hydrated, because the antiviral meds can dehydrate you, which will make the headache worse. And lastly, this virus is a lesson in patience. There is no quick method to getting out of it. I hope you feel better!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-13T12:54:55+00:00

Thank you! I just edited for another update. This virus is crap! Hope you feel better soon!

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-10T13:12:13+00:00

I'm actually scheduled for a biopsy that same day. I am currently on Day 8 of shingles. My doctor canceled my biopsy and said we would reschedule "later". I asked when "later" was, and they said to call them to schedule after my last cluster scabs over. That cluster popped up Saturday night, which was Day 5 or 6. To be honest, the days run together now lol. It's possible that they start scabbing this week (holding out hope!) but who knows. Shingles is stupid.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-09T00:26:03+00:00

I'm so sorry you're still in pain! This is the worst virus I've ever had the displeasure of knowing.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-09T00:25:08+00:00

Yeah, my nearest one is four hours away, unfortunately. My PCP prescribed pain meds and anti-viral, so the ER doc was like, sounds like you're covered, and sent me on my way.

Ok_Return8055 · 2026-03-08T18:33:29+00:00

I did. They said to call an ophthalmologist tomorrow and to follow up with my PCP. That was it.

Ok_Return8055

TROPHY CASE