ThisIsTheDay Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 (edited) In June, my adult daughter had a small patch on her back that became very painful with a burning sensation. She says the skin did not look different and did not feel different to the touch. The burning pain would come and go. Thinking it may be dry skin, she put lotion on it, which provided no relief. The size has increased over the past two months and now that sensation covers almost a quarter of her back. It continues to come and go in waves, perhaps every few days. She describes the pain as burning, as if she's being skinned. She told me about it tonight for the first time and began crying. She said the pain can be unbearable. Sometimes putting something on it (such as soft clothing) can be soothing, but at other times, the pain is excruciating. The skin continues to look and feel normal (not bumpy or rough, etc.). Based on everything she's read, she describes the pain as identical to shingles. She did have the chicken pox vax as a baby. Thoughts? Shingles? Something else? WHAT else? What kind of doctor to see? (She's living in a new city, does not have a regular doctor.) Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. ------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATE: Thank you all again for your comments. She went to a walk in clinic today. They gave her an x-ray to be sure it wasn't lung-related. They drew three vials of blood, two of which showed no active virus, the third vial's results were not ready when she left. But they are treating her for shingles, with a 1 week script for valacyclovir . If the pain does not resolve on its own, though, she'll have to see a neurologist. The office today would not provide pain meds, which really is her issue at this point. But it's a step in the right direction, and hopefully, the pain will go away soon (I keep reading that it can last a few months, and it's been that long). I appreciated you sharing your own stories; apparently it's more common than I would think. Edited August 23, 2018 by ThisIsTheDay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 A person of any age can have shingles. I don't know if that is what your daughter has though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 She really needs to see a doctor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. A Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 I had shingles around that age. Mine did show on the skin, so it was easier to identify, but even to this day when I get overly stressed/burnt out I will start to feel the burning/tingling/itching feeling in that area that was affected without any kind of outward evidence on my skin. So it could very well be that, even with nothing showing on her skin. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 The pain sounds like it could be shingles, and a quick internet search shows that it's possible to have shingles without a rash. I had shingles about a year ago, and I went to Urgent Care. DH went to Urgent Care for his shingles years ago, as well. So I would start there. If they think she needs to see a specialist, hopefully they can provide a referral. There are some Urgent Care facilities associated with hospitals; in case she needs a referral, it might be easier to get one if she goes to a place that is connected to a network of physicians. Shingles is easier to treat the earlier it is caught, I believe, so she should consider going in as soon as she can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Yes, she could have shingles. Is all of the pain on one side of her spine, or does it cross her spine? Shingles will be isolated to one side. She could also have had shingles, recovered from them and have postherpetic neuralgia, which is residual pain that can last several months due to nerve damage. I agree that she can start at an urgent care, preferably one that is affiliated with a hospital so that they can have referral information for her. If she does have postherpetic neuralgia, then she may need pain meds for a while, which is why a referral will be important. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 My dd had shingles at that age. We were all so surprised! She was under a lot of stress, finishing up college and working an internship... I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. She is also very prone to allergies/skin allergies. Her dog found it! He kept sniffing in one area, near her waist on her side, and it turned out to be shingles. It was extremely painful, but it did have some bumps to it. I don't remember hers lasting/hurting for as long as you say, but then I don't know very much about it. I was so surprised that she had it so young! She went to the doctor and he was able to give her something that helped the symptoms a lot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 2dd had a small shingles patch on her back as a teen, so yes, it's possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 12 hours ago, TechWife said: Yes, she could have shingles. Is all of the pain on one side of her spine, or does it cross her spine? ... Thank you all for your responses and in making me feel like I'm not crazy. I checked with her about the location, and she confirmed that it is only on one side. 9 hours ago, J-rap said: My dd had shingles at that age. We were all so surprised! She was under a lot of stress, finishing up college and working an internship... I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. ... She has been under a lot of stress, moving to a new city, starting a new job, and living in temporary housing before making a move into her own place. She said that it began in June, which is when all of this was happening. Again, thank for your comments, I'm grateful to be able to turn to the board with any kind of questions! I'll see if I can get her to go to walk in today, otherwise Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 I hadn't heard of shingles with no rash prior to this thread, but I wouldn't put anything past the virus that causes it! I had them in high school, and the pain and strange sensations go everywhere the nerve goes. I hope she feels better soon and doesn't have a lasting, daily reminder long-term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Our local hospital system has an e-visit service where the patient can upload a photo and a description of the symptoms & it'll get reviewed by a physician for $25. They'll either diagnose or refer to urgent care/the ER (with the cost of the e-visit credited towards the cost of the in-person visit). I'd look into whether something like that exists where your daughter lives. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 See update in original post. ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I'm glad she went in!! It sounds like a good step towards figuring it out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 You know, I reread this thread because I wanted to see your update, and it occurs to me that I have a patch that won't heal on my right forearm. I thought it was a bug bite at first, but it's been about 2 weeks or a little more, and it has turned very slightly bumpy and itchy. Maybe I have shingles! Going to call the MD tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I hope the medication works and that she’s feeling back to normal very soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 The antiviral really helped my dd. I hope it does the trick for your dd and that she's feeling well soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I hope the meds help and she feels better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted August 25, 2018 Share Posted August 25, 2018 Just wondered how your daughter is feeling? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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