Some Very Sad News for GSDS...DR Clemmons - Page 5

Thanks for the information. I am one of those people who does not "believe" in medical doctors and if I ever think I need a doctor, I will look for a holistic practioner. No flu vacs, no statins, etc. Not trying to force my beliefs on anyone else,  it's a very personal decision. Been exposed to chicken pox many times, never got it so I'll take my chances. For anyone who has had chicken pox, I would think it would be a must have.

Take it from me- a DEFINITE MUST! You dont ever want to be where I am now........

Marjorie, maybe it would be worth looking into upping the nutritional value of the liquids you're drinking by mixing a protein powder into them...it worked well for my mom when she had no appetite and was dropping weight at a dangerous rate; they also mixed it into soft foods like bread pudding and custards, and it made a significant difference in her recovery. If you can only manage to eat and drink small portions, you'll at least get the benefit of a larger meal without pushing your GI system into dealing with more volume than you find comfortable right now.

Blitzen, I understand and respect your point of view, though I will caution you that shingles are not something to take lightly. My most recent bout was, as I mentioned, confined to lesions inside of my ear canal, and the left side of my face...had I not known the significance of the sensation that prefaces the appearance of the lesions, it is very likely the break would have encompassed my eardrum in addition to the canal, and affected my left eye as well. Fortunately, I was able to start on the valacyclovir before it had the time to progress that far.  So, in the event you ever feel a sort of 'electrical current' sensation, a sort of 'buzzing' affecting discrete section of your skin, don't wait until the first lesions appear to have the situation checked out. The recovery time for a full-blown break of shingles can be as long as a year, so you need to get the virus inhibitor in play ASAP.

Blitzen, my parents both had it and they bitched and moaned for a few days but it was nothing like the ordeal Marjorie is describing. Of course, my dad whined more than my mom.   There is no "one size fits all" for shingles, like most viruses. It's very individual. For the record, my mom is a type 1 diabetic...insulin dependent for 34 years, so we're not talking about someone w/super health to begin with. I want so say she had it twice (not common but can happen, especially in immune-compromised, ie, diabetics, etc.)

Jenni, quite right, like any illness, YMMV.  The bout I had several years ago only affected my shoulder and upper back, and didn't bother me much--I didn't miss a day's work during it; this year's round, with its involvement of the entire ear canal, saw me taking Ativan every 6 hours because the only respite from the pain was sleeping, so that's how I dealt with it for a week.

Initially, the vaccine was developed specifically for those over 60 because the immune system does tend to get bombarded by the onset of age-related health issues, and any ailment that causes breaks in the skin opens the patient up to the host of opportunistic infections at a time when their bodies are least prepared to fight them. The post-herpetic neuralgia tends to be more common, and more persistant, in senior patients as well.

Marjorie, the vaccine is a one-shot deal, and doesn't get boostered; unfortunately, it's recommended to wait a year after the last bout before getting vaccinated, so you'll need to wait until next fall to avail yourself of it.

Sorry I diasappeared. I was so sick I couldnt even stand up, couldnt eat, couldnt drink, let alone type or be on the puter. I lost 20 pounds and i was skinny to begin with :( It is a day by day recovery- some days I cannot be on my feet for more than 5 minutes, without feeling like I am going to go down for the count. Shingles is serious, people. I beg you to believe me- you dont ever want to be where I have been!! My back looks like someone put a lighter to it and set it on fire. I cannot feel anything but pins and needles in my back. The drs are not sure if normal sensation will ever return. They say I have a good 6 months more of recovery, at the very least. :(  

Good heavens, marjorie--I know what a determined woman you are when you are on a mission, and how effective you are at moving mountain when you put your mind to it... PLEASE, PLEASE, put that same single-minded determination and sheer will toward getting yourself healthy again, above and before EVERYTHING else!  If you don't, you won't be able to ever help the breed, Dr C, or anyone else--not even your own dog--and I know you don't want to go there.

I am relieved to hear that you're heading toward recovery again; let nothing and no one stand in the way of that. Ban yourself from anything that will add stress to your life, whether it's a website or a person, and only allow positive people and positive experiences into your experiences. You need that kind of sunlight to feed your body's ability to renew itself.

Well, I finally on my feet again... I wouldnt wish my expreience on my worst enemy! My dr told me if I wasnt better in a few more days, he was going to put me in the hospital, under sedation, with a feeding tube! OMG! Thank God, I didnt know that.. Slowly regaining my strength. I can go out and function now, but I still get very tired.

Good news to hear. Take it slow and keep that stress level down. :)

Have been thinking about you and wondering how you were, but didn't want to sully whatever Zen you may have finally been able to embrace by being a reminder of stressful things.

It sounds stupid, I know, but it really DOES help to 'breathe in through the nose, and out through the mouth'--it's my weapon of choice these days as everything around me seems to be cascading like a string of dominoes.

Glad, glad, glad you are on the mend, and working on keeping it that way.  Hopefully both Casey James and your human family members are all holding up well, too, and you all are just appreciating each other's company and love.