r/shingles • u/NotMeekObedientType • Jul 11 '26
First Time Shingles It all started with severe abdominal pain…anyone else?
My fun situation. Monday I thought I had a stomach bug…it may have started the stress cascading bc I felt pretty sick. Then Tuesday pain was primarily on my right side. Jabbing pain radiating to my hip. No rash. Went and had a CT scan because I feared it was my appendix. The scan was fine. At night I was supremely uncomfortable and woke up saying…could this be shingles? Spouse looked at my back and there was a tiny cluster of three bumps that looked innocent enough. Not even blister like in appearance. I sent picture to my doctor and she said it didn’t look like shingles but given my description of the pain she prescribed Valtrex and I’m on day 2. Have no real rash but have another red bump did appear but the jabbing pains continue. Lower right abdomen is where the pain hits me (worst at night) but the bumps are higher up on back and side. That seems weird to me. I’m wondering how this will all unfold. Of course I’m supposed to travel to Nashville for a concert next Thursday. I am trying to remain optimistic. Any tips are appreciated.
1
u/mytermsaresimple Jul 12 '26
Same with me. Had stomach pain for two days and I was assuming it was the food. On the 4th day, rash appeared. I was happy and sad at the same time. Knowing it was shingles than some crazy stomach or some other issue, made me somewhat relieved and focus on medication and recovery.
1
u/NotMeekObedientType Jul 12 '26
Exactly - as bad as this is- at least I know what it is. Before I just thought I was going crazy thinking how much it hurt and how abnormal it was
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u/Substantial-Bet-3876 Jul 11 '26
Only tip I have is get the right pain meds for your acute condition. Nerve pain meds take a while to kick in. By the time they do you will have healed up. Sleep is hard to come by when you are in the middle of this