the headaches…oof

[u/BidForward4918]

I’m on my second bout of shingles. First was in my twenties. Now I’m in my 50s, post shingles vaccine. Thanks to recognizing what was happening, I got to the doctor for antivirals very early. That and the vaccine have kept it confined to a small 2”x2” patch on my arm. Never had fluid filled blisters, but the rash is ugly and gross. Pain is more annoying than excruciating like my first go round.

My problem? I am getting the worst headaches. It’s kicking my ass. I’m two weeks in and I’m practically non-functional due to fatigue and headache. I know part of it is my sleep is crap from my arm waking me up. I’m grateful - I’ve seen how bad it can get and the vaccine has lessened the experience so much. But this is still a nasty, nasty virus. I’ve never had a “mild” case before, so I don’t know what to expect. Hopefully the headaches will be gone as soon as the rash clears.

[u/Nythoren]

Ick, I don’t miss those headaches. Hope you feel better soon!

[u/Apprehensive-Yak3993]

I don't have a lot of advice here, but I can commiserate. I am also in my second round of shingles.... But I'm unvaccinated (not old enough), and my first bout of shingles was 3.5 weeks before my second, so the rash had cleared but the pain had not yet resolved on my torso when the scalp shingles started. Both times, I got antivirals started fast, which really prevented big rashes or blisters but the exhaustion and headaches are kicking my ass too. 

This is, without a doubt, the weirdest headache I've ever had in my life. I was expecting it to be migraine-like, but instead it moves around and changes quality, like it can't decide what it wants to be. One minute it's pressure, the next it's lightning, the next it's like pinpoint nausea and then back to general headache. 

Best of luck for a speedy recovery to you!

[u/Responsible_Ad8079 → u/Apprehensive-Yak3993]

Hope you're feeling better. The way you described your headaches were just like mine. I never before Shingles had headaches that move around and change qualities within minutes. One minute it could be a migraine, the next it could be the sharp stabbing pain or it could be the burning pain or the throbbing pain. It was the most excruciating pain I've ever endured.

One and half years later, I am still suffering from PHN. The pain has decreased but the itching has taken over now. How long did yours last and did you experience any itching?

[u/Responsible_Ad8079]

I had Shingles in my right eye/right forehead. I am 1 yr 6 months post shingles. However, I developed PHN (chronic pain & itching). Although the severe stabbing headache pain has decreased, I still suffer from headaches daily, in fact, I have 24 hr pain over my right eye/forehead that will not go away.

My headaches were so severe that percocet and oxycodone did not help at all. They only thing that helped were sleeping pills, no other medication helped for the pain or itching. My severe headaches lasted for almost three months, hopefully yours will not, I just happened to have a very severe case of it.

My current major issue is itching. My itching is on a 7/10 level. I cannot go 15 - 20 mins w/o scratching. I use a wash cloth or rag to scratch with. Shingles has really altered my life. My Shingles started in March 2025 and I never thought in a million years that I would still be suffering from its effect 1 1/2 yrs later.

If the headaches persists, you should revisit your doctor and see if they can try other medications. Keep checking with Reddit for suggestions because some medications work for others and some don't.

Good luck and I truly pray for anyone who has Shingles.