I took my mom to the doctor today
By Sherry
@norcal (4889)
Franklinton, North Carolina
March 4, 2019 5:23pm CST
I had completely forgotten that she had an appointment. It was only because I needed an RX refill that I called her doctor's office and they said "Oh, she has an appointment today."
I am the caregiver for my mom, who has dementia. Eight months ago she had shingles, and ever since she has pain. They call it postherpetic neuralgia. She still feels like she has that painful rash.
I'm getting my shingles vaccine, and I recommend everyone else does too. I never want to get that.
9 people like this
9 responses
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
4 Mar 19
Anyone who had chickenpox can get it. The chickenpox virus stays in your system and can cause shingles. Usually it happens to older people or people with a compromised immune system. It causes painful blisters on the skin. Then, for some people, like my mom, even after the blister go away, they still feel the pain from it. That's the postherpetic neuralgia. That may last weeks or months, or it may never go away. They can give medicine for the pain, but cannot cure the condition.
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
4 Mar 19
My husband has had shingles and he was in a massive amount of pain as well. =(
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
4 Mar 19
@norcal He didn't possibly because he had it so young, I have never heard of it until you mentioned it. I am going to read more about it now since I'm curious about it.
1 person likes this
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
5 Mar 19
@LovingMyBabies I think only a small percentage of people who have shingles get it.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472004)
• Switzerland
6 Mar 19
@norcal It was very painful, I am glad that I had a doubt when I saw the rash and I went to see my doctor. If not treated within 3 days it can be a serious problem. I had patches to apply on the area for the pain. I put the patch before going to sleep and changed it every day.
1 person likes this
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
5 Mar 19
It's been very challenging for me. I guess it's selfish that I say that, since she's the one in pain, but I had a very hard time dealing with it. At least now she's not wailing and crying, so I guess she feels better, even if she will not say it.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67081)
• United States
11 Mar 19
@norcal its not selfish to say that.
Im glad she seems better
@Marilynda1225 (83074)
• United States
5 Mar 19
Thankfully I've never had shingles but I know they can be very painful. Good thing you're getting the vaccine
@LowRiderX (22903)
• Serbia
5 Mar 19
I'm sorry about your mother. That's I suppose is a big obligation
