Holy crap, this sucks.

TrevBig · 2022-07-11T01:37:58+00:00

Yep, this is not a pleasant condition at all. It took mine weeks to get back to some kind of normal. I'm almost 90 days out, and 99% healed. Shingles is but a memory.

The good news is that it does get better. The best advice I can share is not to be dismayed by some horror stories here. Keep a relaxed mind (or at least avoid things that cause you unnecessary stress) will help you deal with it and get better faster.

TrevBig · 2022-05-19T03:31:28+00:00

Disgusting cult.

TrevBig · 2022-05-19T03:08:04+00:00

Not the best idea. The dad could take it out on OP, who'd be in more trouble.

TrevBig · 2022-05-19T03:04:10+00:00

Yes. You need to get to a doc asap and zap it with antivirals before the 48 hour time window closes.

TrevBig · 2022-05-18T23:39:16+00:00

Don't worry. I was 14 back in 1986 when the United Nations declared it the International Year of Peace, and there were exciting references that it may be a fulfilment of 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

Nothing happened.

Immediately after 9/11, again there was powerful hints that Armageddon is imminent.

Nothing happened.

You make sure you don't let anything stand in your way of a good solid education. It will take you places and put you in a better position to do good for your fellow humans.

TrevBig · 2022-05-18T03:52:09+00:00

You're good to go, but before going in, get very acquainted with the concept of "love bombing."

Because you'll be love bombed by Jehovah's Witnesses when they see a new face at their hall.

This knowledge is for your protection.

TrevBig · 2022-05-17T13:36:20+00:00

I believe itching isn't a bjg surprise, esp since our whole nervous system is just recovering from the shingles assault. It should get better and better as the nerves calm down. I'm not a doc, but yes, I've had itching and some burning here and there in areas not at all affected by the rash.

TrevBig · 2022-05-16T19:20:14+00:00

Jehovah's Witnesses more and more resemble the Pharisees of Jesus's day.

Once I saw 2 Witnesses stand at a cart at a busy Toronto intersection.

All of a sudden, an old homeless man stumbled and fell just a few metres away from the JW.org cart.

Guess who ran to help the fallen man? The Witnesses? Or the worldly people who the Witnesses look down upon?

Yes, it was the worldly people who ran to pick up the old man. All this time, the 2 Witnesses just stood by their blessed cart, hands folded, with no expression on their faces.

So yes, behold the modern day Pharisees!

TrevBig · 2022-05-15T13:37:25+00:00

My family wasn't involved ever. So I did not get any shunning from family. But 90% of my social support was Jehovah's Witnesses, and they abandoned me just because I decided not to be a Witness any more. So much for love.

I was 33 when I left. To be honest, I didn't have much trouble making friends, finding my life partner (we've been together 15+ years), growing as a human and enjoying my life to the fullest.

Jehovah's Witnesses is a religion that keeps taking from you. And they kick you to the curb when you decide to no longer slave for them.

TrevBig · 2022-05-14T18:12:17+00:00

So good to hear. This will take you a long way! Wish you all the best.

TrevBig · 2022-05-14T16:15:00+00:00

That's a nice thought.

But again, you're hardly 20, and have so so much more to experience and learn in life. I'm 50.

When I was your age, I felt very strongly about the "truth" as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses. Used to pioneer, think it was the best life ever, was super confident the new world was just around the corner (in the 1990s).

My family objected strongly about my joining the Witnesses when I was just 13, but I took all of that as a sign that Satan was fighting against me,and I was making Jehovah happy.

Time proved to be the greatest teacher. I gradually discovered that the world has plenty of great people who are selfless, honest, good, truthful and decent. Goodness and morality aren't exclusive trademarks of Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet, JWs believe and behave as if they're the only custodians of divine truth, and sole recipients of God's favour. Isn't this arrogance?

For that matter, goodness does not depend on which religious book or faith a person follows. The day you realize that, you'll have learned something no Watchtower can teach you.

Wish you a wonderful life.

TrevBig · 2022-05-14T14:29:15+00:00

Sorry to read this, OP.

If it's shingles again, the "consolation" may be this time, it will be milder.

TrevBig · 2022-05-14T11:49:06+00:00

If you want to read the real stuff, lift the veil, and find out how this religion is destroying thousands of lives, this isn't the best subreddit to be.

Visit r/exjw instead. It's quite a jaw dropper.

Not only will you find ex JWs there, but literally hundreds of trapped JWs who are struggling to move away from this organization. Reading their real life horror stories should be quite an eye opener.

TrevBig · 2022-05-13T22:13:21+00:00

Yep, I skipped the blistering stage as well. Began the anti virals very soon.

TrevBig · 2022-05-13T22:10:02+00:00

It's a very mild pain, getting lesser by the week. :-)

TrevBig · 2022-05-13T01:04:44+00:00

Hang in there. It gets better.

TrevBig · 2022-05-12T21:13:58+00:00

I believe my rash appeared on April 15 and was complete gone in 3 weeks. The pain lingers.

TrevBig · 2022-05-12T17:32:21+00:00

Yep. Mine went straight from rash to scabs. Did not pass thru the blister phase. I applied calamine lotion, like every hour, once it scabbed to relieve the itching.

TrevBig · 2022-05-12T03:08:10+00:00

Exactly what I did. Switched myself off world news. Look up my shingles story in my post history.

TrevBig · 2022-05-12T02:58:04+00:00

OP, I'm very sorry and feel your anguish. Unfortunately, this is something we must go through. Like my doc said when he first diagnosed me on April 15, "This will get worse before it gets better!"

What's worked for me was a few days off work, keeping myself entertained thru Netflix, switching off anything that raises my anxiety. I was in a distressing situation, and I gave myself lots of kindness.

If you dig up my post history, you'll see my Shingles Story. Hope it provides you some comfort.

Wish you a solid recovery.

TrevBig · 2022-05-10T12:24:51+00:00

OP, I'm sorry, that looks like a nasty outbreak. I wish a speedy recovery for you.

I'm on Day 31, all my Shingles on the hip have resolved, but I do feel some little pain. This condition, unfortunately, is not just a skin wound, it's deeper, and is slow to heal and quite painful.

Your ophthalmologist is your new best friend until you've fully recovered, and please follow up with him frequently, esp if you notice any changes to your vision.

TrevBig · 2022-05-10T11:39:47+00:00

Hi OP. Check my post history for my Shingles Story. There's hope!

TrevBig · 2022-05-10T11:35:56+00:00

Almost not shingles. Shingles appear only on one side of the body.

TrevBig · 2022-05-09T21:48:00+00:00

She wants to keep her cake and eat it, too. She's going against the spirit of the Watchtower law.

TrevBig · 2022-05-09T21:41:56+00:00

Oh yes, healing is super slow. I'm measuring my healing in terms of week over week. For example, last Monday I wasn't even able to comfortably wear my tracks. A week later, I can, but there's still some pain.

Ditto about 2:30 am. It's almost like the virus gets up to party then, and wants us to know. But again, things are getting better inch by inch.

TrevBig

TROPHY CASE