Re: [CML] Shingles - They're Back

[Joseph Belensky]

I know it is sometimes difficult to translate English to a foreign language.  My wife and I took Slovak language lessons and found it very difficult to translate Slovak newspaper articles to English. Medical terms are even more difficult.   Keep trying and ask questions. J Belensky CML Dx 4/05    Information on shingles from webmd.com Original article: http://my.webmd.com/hw/shingles/hw75435.asp Shingles Topic Overview What is shingles? Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection of the nerve roots. It causes pain and a band of rash that spreads on one side of your body. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you've had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant (inactive) in your nerve roots. If it becomes active again, it causes shingles, not another case of chickenpox. What causes shingles? Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your nerve roots. In some people, it stays dormant for the rest of their lives. In others, the virus can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened, possibly by disease, aging, or stress.1 What are the symptoms of shingles? Early symptoms of shingles include headache, sensitivity to light, and flulike symptoms without a fever. You may then feel itching, tingling, or extreme pain in the area where a rash will develop several days later. The rash commonly occurs on the back or neck. The rash progresses into clusters of blisters that then fill with pus and eventually crust over. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal, although some scars may remain.2 The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia—pain that continues even after shingles heals. Another complication is a spreading rash called disseminated zoster. A dangerous complication of shingles occurs when the rash develops on the forehead, cheek, nose, and around one eye; this is called herpes zoster opthalmicus. Herpes zoster opthalmicus can potentially threaten your sight. Immediate treatment should be sought for this type of shingles outbreak.2 Early treatment of shingles with antiviral medications may prevent herpes zoster opthalmicus.3 How is shingles treated? Shingles is difficult to treat. Antiviral medications (such as acyclovir or famciclovir) can reduce pain and duration of this condition. Sometimes antiviral medications are combined with other medications, such as corticosteroids, for more effective treatment. If medications are begun within the first 2 to 3 days of the rash, your chances of developing complications of shingles, such as postherpetic neuralgia, decrease. If you do develop complications of shingles, antidepressants and topical creams are sometimes used to reduce pain and speed recovery. Who gets shingles? You are at risk for developing shingles if you:1 Had chickenpox, even a mild case. You cannot develop shingles if you have not had chickenpox. Are over the age of 50. Have an autoimmune disease. Have another medical condition or stress that weakens the immune system, such as HIV, cancer, or diabetes. ----- Original Message ----- From: livia klescova To: CML@yahoogroups.com Sent: 07/28/2005 12:22 PM Subject: Re: [CML] Shingles - They're Back Hi Barb, I have no idea what the shingles are (can't find in my Slovak-English dictionary) and if they are caused by CML? Anyway I hope they will diseapper soon because it doesn't sound very good. Good luck with the stem cell harvest.  I am planning to ask on it in September when I go to see a CML specialist. Livia bheathcote201 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi all.  Thought I'd give you all a quick update.  I am getting ready to head to MDACC next week in Houston to start the stem cell harvest process.    Looks like I have shingles AGAIN - this time in my right arm.  Ironically, a week after I started Gleevec two years ago, I got shingles (in my leg).  A week after I stopped the Gleevec in preparation for the harvest, I got them again.  It started as pain in my shoulder and slowly creeped down my arm.   I immediately knew the pain was shingles pain.   For those of you who have had shingles, it's excruciating.   I went to the dr. and he's put me on Valtrex to limit the severity of the illness and I am taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen for pain (and boy - is it painful).    Wouldn't it figure that this would happen with poor timing.  I had hoped to used both arms for the harvest so we'll have to see if that option is still a possibility. I plan to post to the group through out the process to keep everyone posted and updated.  I also hope to take some digital pics that I'll attempt to put in the files. Hope this finds everyone doing well.  It's hotter than blazes here in NC.  Stay cool and talk to you all soon! Love, Barb Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. 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