SHINGLES

Back in February, Joe came down with shingles. Shingles come from the chicken pox virus. After you have chicken pox, the virus lies dormant in your body and can re-surface as shingles later on in life, usually when you are elderly. They are not contagious unless you have not had the chicken pox. However, stress can bring shingles on as well. Joe's shingles were on the backs of his calves and thighs and he had horrific back pain with it along with the nerve pain that comes with shingles. It cleared up with the help of some antiviral medication that speeds up the process. Then, last Thursday, a spot appeared on the right side of my neck. It bubbled up and became very itchy. After 3 days of speculation, I have come to the conclusion that I too have shingles. I had neck pain prior to the breakout and couldn't figure out why my neck hurt so badly. Now I know. Weird stuff, these shingles are. And very painful!!