I just got back from my ENT, 2 days ago my good ear ( Now I need a 3rd ear to have a good ear.) the outer ear started hurting me very badly. I cant touch it or lay on it and even talking or chewing was excruciating. Yesterday I had such chills and felt so fluey and my ear was worse than ever. After battling a bad case of gastritis (inflamed small intestines) for the past month which I'm not completely over with yet, I now have herpes zoster (shingles) on my good ear. Thank God its not inside my ear, I don't think. The outside of my ear is swollen but she saw nothing inside, it hurts like hell to the touch and even w/o touching it. I am to take acyclovir 2400 mg a day 800mg 3 times a days. So for those who were wondering if being on a maintenance dose of an antiviral prevents shingles, we have the answer at least in my case. I think maybe it would have been much worse if I wasn't on acyclovir but so far no vertigo or dizziness which is a gift.
Vicki, Do you take 5000 IU of vitamin D-3 each day? This has shown to help prevent a shingles outbreak. --John of Ohio
Thanks John, I was taking 2000 IU when I remember but since I was having such stomach pain from the gastritis I haven't been taking my vit D or B complex but will start again right now and take it.
2000 IU per day is probably not enough to helpfully boost your immune system to suppress the active herpes zoster in the shingles lesions. 5000 IU would be a minimum. The vitamin D can be taken with a meal. --John of Ohio
i'll increase my dose, my food was very limited to boiled chicken and applesauce for 1 month I lost 10 pounds but it did the trick and my stomach is much better now.
Vicki, I'm so sorry to hear about your shingles. I had them around my waist (right side) a few years ago. Hurt like hell for sure. Lasted about three weeks. All they gave me then was some kind of cream. Hope you're feeling better soon and remain spin free during this time.
Hey Vicki, I'm so sorry to hear this. Boy have you had a rough year! I'm wondering...since they say shingles is caused by having had Chicken Pox, did they give you the chicken pox shot or is that not an option? Can you use a hot water bottle on that side? I have heard it does last weeks, is excruciating, and may spread. I sincerely hope this is not the case for you. I've missed you here and now I know why. Keep in touch and I hope your suffering is minimal and your recovery is swift. Know I'm thinking about you. (((( HUGS ))))
thanks Sharon and Bea. Yes I definitely been battling one thing after another all year, unfortunately that's how my life has been ever since I can remember I try and stay away from vaccines, I get side effects and reactions from so many meds etc I am afraid what will happen to me.
So sorry to hear that your not feeling well. I was going to ask the same thing about the Vaccine. Never had it either but thinking About getting it. Vicky is your mm in just One ear? Wondering if a virus is the cause Of mm if it's just likely one ear that gets it. I hope you feel better Soon.
Thanks Lisa, my Meniere's ear is my other ear the right ear and I'm sure its caused by an HSV for me because I am symptom free from being on an antiviral for almost 3 years now. AN HSV can attach itself to just about any nerve in the body. HSV is found in the stomach, lungs, brain inner ear etc etc. In fact there is much research linking HSV to Alzheimer's.
Sorry to hear about your shingles Vicki, when I started the acyclovir I wondered if it would keep shingles away, I have had two small break out of shingles myself and they are painful and I know I took an anti-viral when I had them. I am old enough now that I can get a Zoster shot, maybe I better get one. Hope you start feeling better!
I don't get vaccinations any more either. I'm not against them for others and I had a flu shot for years. Then two years ago I got a flu shot in one arm and the pneumonia shot in the other arm during my annual physical and three days later I had this terrible vertigo attack that put me in the Hosp for a week and I've been fighting to get control my life since. Maybe just a coincident, but I'm not taking any more.
thanks Linda, my theory is since I was so sick with gastritis for so many weeks and went days w/o food because it caused so much pain, my immune system must have been a lot weaker than usual and being on 800 mg of acyclovir is not enough to protect me from new active HSV's like zoster, so my body was ripe for the pickin so to speak. Sharon..I wouldn't doubt the vaccines did something to spark vertigo. I have heard too many stories of bad consequences from vaccines and given I am so sensitive to meds and stuff it scares the hell out of me for me.
I'm Damn sorry you have been going through hell. I am wishing you well. Good Health to You!! Good Health for You!! Good Health, Good Health, Good Health!!
thanks so much Santa. I need that so much. Been pretty down today and the pain is bad and feel feverish
Vicki, just saw this. I am so sorry that you have been battling the stomach and now darn shingles. NOT fair! On a positive note, to make you smile hopefully, your HAIR is looking great! ;D
thanks so much nicmger and LOL thank you about my hair, its grown a lot since the last pic I posted, I'm going to keep it longer but not as long as before. The pain from the shingles is bearable today but yesterday was a bad day with a lot of pain and feverish chill etc.