“It ain’t pretty when it comes out.
~ Terry Bradshaw ~
Talking about Shingles in that public service clip he does about the disease.
This morning I learned, or had confirmed at the Urgent Care Clinic, that I do, indeed, now have Shingles. It started innocently enough in my office last Wednesday when I suddenly caught a sudden sharp pain on the right side of my face, near my eye. The sensation was a cross between a bee sting and a high and tight pitch from Don Drysdale. It hurt bad, but there was no explanation for it. It got a little better, but the stinging sensation could be re-initiated if I put even minor pressure on the area near my right eye.
I let it go. Hoping the thing would just go away. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy on Friday and didn’t want to have to cancel that unpleasant, but necessary once-a-decade spot check to another time.
Thursday and Friday came and went. I got through the preparation and actual procedure of the colonoscopy and passed it with flying colors for someone my age as a life-long carnivorous male with the usual advice: Eat more fiber.
I also noticed that the pain in my head now seemed to be spreading up to my scalp – and that the area around my right eye was slightly swollen. I also was developing a dull headache that Tylenol could nothing to ease. By Saturday night the swelling in my right eye was increasing, as was the intensity of the pain and area of coverage. It now went all the way beneath my hairline on the right side too. It was too late to see my own doctor and I didn’t want t the cost and all night wait of a hospital emergency room, so my wife and I decided I would go to the nearby “urgent care” clinic on I-10 near Dairy Ashford. By the time I awoke today, my right eye was totally shut. I had to really work on cleaning it to get to open to a squinting level.
The experienced physician at Advanced Medical Specialists confirmed our diagnosis. It was Shingles. – I got Shingles – in spite of the fact that I took the Shingles vaccine last spring. For those of you who don’t know, Shingles is a viral disease that only happens to adults who once suffered from Chicken Pox as children. The virus that later comes out as Shingles lies dormant in the body from the time a person had the chicken ox s a child. I was one of those kids, as was my brother and sister, mother and father. I am the only one yet to contract Shingles. And, not just by the way, I am also the only one in my biological family to ever have taken the Shingles vaccine.
The doctor that examined me today was very candid when I asked him: “Could I have gotten Shingles from taking the vaccine?” “That is possible,” he said, but he added that causation cannot be specifically proven. Weakness in one’s immune system, aging resistance factors, and stress are considered major to causation.
My specialist today said that I need to see my ophthalmologist, ASAP, because of the potential damage this thing could do to my right eye. I’ll follow up on that one tomorrow, as well as check in with my system’s primary physician. I’ve been given a powerful anti-viral medication. to start things. And we will go from there.
_______________
Correction: Thank you, Cliff Blau for your dedication to accuracy in matters of baseball and health. I’m so accustomed to taking anti-biotics because of my history with Endocarditis that I misspoke. Yes, I am taking an anti-viral medication. and have now corrected that statement in the previous paragraph, thanks to you.
________________
August is now going to be recovery time for me. Until I get my strength back and am certain that I cannot be a Shingles carrier to anyone who had chicken pox earlier in life. (Again, I am not a contagion threat to anyone who did not have chicken pox earlier), I will avoid social and business contact altogether until my doctors clear me. Stay tuned.
I will continue to write from home and try to fan the wings of The Pecan Park Eagle, as best I able, with stories and news that is, at least, human virus free – starting with the little diddy I’m about to compose as my parody statement on “Jingle Bells” as my comment on today’s close-to-home reinforcement of one of life’s greatest lessons: “The older you get, the more you realize – that in life – it’s always something!”
Shingle Cells,
Shingle Cells,
Resting in my brain.
They ain’t so pretty when they come out,
So don’t you bother to complain.
______________________________
“What a revoltin’ development this is!”
~ William Bendix as Chester Riley ~
In TV’s “Life of Riley Show”
Circa 1952-54
The Pecan Park Eagle 
August 2, 2015 at 5:47 pm |
Bill, sorry to hear you contracted shingles. I hear they are quite painful to deal with, much like chicken pox was.
One thing most people don’t realize is that vaccinations or preventative shots for flu or shingles are actually a small dose of the disease that you are injected with. The idea is that the body will learn the affliction and then fight it in the future when it comes full force. Unfortunately, a portion of those injected actually contract the affliction from the shot they get. Sounds like you might be in that group. My condolences.
At least you can focus on what is shaping up as a great chase to the pennant for the Astros.
Get well soon!
August 2, 2015 at 6:08 pm |
Yikes – my Father gets Shingles on his legs usually near the ankles and says it is really painful. God bless and hope it clears quickly and that your vision isn’t damaged.
August 2, 2015 at 7:10 pm |
Sorry to hear this Bill, Will put you on my prayer list.
August 2, 2015 at 7:11 pm |
Sorry, Bill, that you are going through the annoyance of this disease. I had the same kind of shingles — on the face — quite a while ago, and was given the same advice, i.e. see the opthalmologist. Everything eventually turned out OK, but I described it at the time as “one of life’s experiences I could do without.” All the best to you, and get well soon.
August 2, 2015 at 7:31 pm |
So sorry Bill. You will be in my prayers.
August 2, 2015 at 7:44 pm |
Sorry to hear that you are hurting. Hope that you have a quick recovery.
August 2, 2015 at 8:13 pm |
Bill- Sorry to hear about the Shingles. It seems like it is quite prevalent in people our age, but so far I have been lucky. I hope this won’t prevent you from attending the Houston SABR Meeting and Astro game on Aug. 22. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.
Bill Gilbert
August 2, 2015 at 8:29 pm |
Bill: I hope you’re not in pain for long. Get well soon.
August 2, 2015 at 8:36 pm |
Oh, Bill. I am so sorry. Hang in there.
August 2, 2015 at 9:04 pm |
BILL: = = = = = =>
regret that you’re “down with shingles”- I have taken the vaccine (shot) a few years ago upon recommendation of my Primary Dr. – now . . . not real sure I will do a replay of that drill? Well at least the colonoscopy was “passed”. Take care of yourself – keeep looking ahead – you’re absolutely right (at this point in our careers) “it never quits”
Semper Fidelis
Callahan
August 2, 2015 at 9:13 pm |
Why are you taking an anti-biotic? Shingles is caused by a virus. My doctor gave me an anti-viral medicine when I had it, and it got better quickly. Also, you can’t pass it on to anyone, as long as they don’t touch the infected area.
I’m told that the disease is usually less severe if you’ve had the vaccine; hope you are well soon.
August 3, 2015 at 12:19 am |
Bill, hope you are feeling better fast…you’ll be in our prayers.
August 3, 2015 at 12:21 pm |
Best wishes for a speedy recovery & that there will be no damage to your eyes. I have heard from others how painful this illness is, so I hope you also were able to get some medication to relieve your pain.
August 3, 2015 at 12:28 pm |
Get well fast. You are in my daily prayers.
August 3, 2015 at 12:58 pm |
Very sorry to hear of your current affliction. I, too, took the pricey vaccine two or three years ago. No problems (yet??). I took it after being around two in baseball who were affected– LaTroy Hawkins with the Astros and Tony LaRussa when he was still managing the Cardinals. After that as a chicken pox survivor I decided the preventative move was right for me. I hope that what others have said is true…that if you do get a case of shingles the vaccine will make the duration shorter and easier–for you– and all others who have had it!
August 3, 2015 at 2:07 pm |
Sounds like a horrible road trip–a colonoscopy followed by shingles. I know your stint on the DL will be a short one. Godspeed.
August 4, 2015 at 2:10 am |
Bill,
Just wanted you to know your in my thoughts often. Hope you have a full recovery and I’ll be looking forward to your next post as always. Oddly enough, I had to deal with shingles about 3 years ago in about the same spot as you. My doctor said it was stress (which I could confirm at the time myself) and a depleted immune system as I was not eating or drinking properly for an extended period of time.
Wishing you the best. Hope to see you sometime sooner than later!