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Babalou, My doctor recommended a shingles vaccine, so I read up and found it was only good for so many years, and when I said that I will wait, he volunteered excitedly that is a good decision since 'they' are coming out with a more effective vaccine in the near future. Shingles vaccine is about the only vaccine I would consider. Still, I am very reluctant.
I don't think one outbreak of shingles confers immunity, and I don't know if the vaccine can be administered after having shingles.
It is something to ask the doctor about.
Hoping your husband can get his immunity built up with foods and supplements.
Another thing to consider is the sun's effect on shingles. Can sunshine help cure it? makes it worse,? or do the medicines prohibit going in the sun?
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GA, thanks for your post. I imagine that these cushions would be GREAT for someone with no fat on their posterior! They are pricey, but come highly recommended by long distance truck drivers, which is the crowd I want a recommendation from, lol.

DH is going back to primary care doc tomorrow and he'll ask about topical pain relief.
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Another thought - foods with vitamins for healing, no sweets ( no scientific reason except that they can be inflammatory agents), and of course lots of TLC from Babalou!
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Oh, sorry, I see you've already found some good cushions. I was typing as you were posting.

Now I'm wondering if the Wonder Gel cushions could be used for someone who's so thin that there is no padding at all. It might ease the discomfort of sitting.
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My father developed shingles in rehab after several months of being in 2 regular hospitals and 2 long term care hospitals. Obviously there was a lot of stress during this period.

The staff gloved, gowned and masked and provided PT and OT in his room. I don't recall though what creams or meds they used on his back. When he was discharged, at home I put on prescription lidocaine patches. I also don't recall how often they were changed, but they did solve the problem. And despite a lot of stresses since then, the shingles haven't recurred, nor have I contracted them.

This was also the one time I agreed to have him take Buspar, which did help ease the transition from rehab to home, after about 7 months of living in medical facilities.

The only suggestion I can make is extra attention, extra TLC, and perhaps something really, really very soft and comfortable as a cushion to help protect his skin from any abrasions or friction when he sits and moves around.

Is he able to get sick time off or does he still have to make an appearance at wherever he works? I certainly hope he can recover at home.

I am so sorry for your husband; shingles are painful and challenging enough to deal with without being located in a position that could prevent him from sitting comfortably.

My best wishes are extended to both of you for a quick recovery and no repeat of this episode.

His shingles were on his upper and middle back. T
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Rainmom, I'm an alarmist too! Hubby is in general good health, but artificial aorta and heart valve and thus on blood thinners long term. Yes, he'll get a thorough going over after this has passed.

Something that we found, there are these amazing seat cushions that they sell on Amazon and at Bed Bath and Beyond "Wonder Gel" is the brand name. We got him one this morning and it's making sitting bearable.
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A second thought - I understand that shingles can often be a symptom of a breakdown of the immune system. Not to be an alarmist - which I have a tendency to do, but has your hubby had a full physical lately? Might be a good idea post shingles.
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While It is not possible to transmit shingles, it is possible to get chickenpox from someone with shingles by direct contact with active blisters. If you have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine - go get inoculated, the same virus that causes shingles causes chickenpox. I have heard that even if you have had chicken pox as a child, the virus has mutated into something sort of different/new and you can catch it again. I understand shingles to be very painful - so sorry for hubby and for you!
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I'm bumping this up in hopes someone has some good advice!
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