[Gay State Conservative]

I worked for years in a large hospital's ER.We used to get in a little old lady from Ireland,always accompanied by her son,who'd complain of pain from shingles.When I laughed when telling the nurse about the patient she explained to me that the disease,and the pain,were very real.Although I'm not sure (not at *all* sure,actually) my gut tells me that a visit to an Infectious Disease specialist...one connected with a major hospital...just might do some good.

If you are,in fact,in "west Texas" a visit to Dallas (or Houston) might even be in order...even though it's not right around the corner.

[Ditter]

I don’t know why you think Singles is funny. I know several people who have suffered horribly with it. My husband’s case was fairly easy compared to some. I know a man who had it in his eye and they were afraid he would end up blind.

[MarkL]

I worked for years in a large hospital's ER.

The problem with Shingles is that once you've recovered from Chicken Pox, the herpes virus that causes it goes dormant in the fibers surrounding the nerves. When you get shingles, the virus "wakes up" and causes inflammation of the fibers surrounding the nerves. It most often presents as a "belt" going around the lower back, but it present anywhere. The worst presentation is if it presents in the optic nerve, which besides being painful, can cause permanent blindness.

It's incredibly painful, and people have committed suicide from long term pain.

Mark