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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on January 10, 2009, at 17:53:20
For the last two weeks vision in my right eye (the one that was effected by shingles aka herpes zoster ophthalmicus has been foggy. Like a film is over my eye that I can't wash or wipe away. The eye doctor has me back on steriod eye drops and I see him again next week. It doesn't hurt, but not seeing clearly is annoying- I have real trouble reading anything as my right eye is my better up close eye. Even with drugstore reading glasses I end up squinting with my left eye.
Why can't I get shingles like a normal person? Why in my eye? And why do I get a flareup less than eight months after I first got them. I think my body is fallng apart starting with my head, God knows my mental health issues were the first sign.
Poet
Posted by Sigismund on January 10, 2009, at 18:38:41
In reply to Shingles are back in my eye!, posted by Poet on January 10, 2009, at 17:53:20
Goodness!
I saw someone with shingles....there were these great welts more than an eighth of an inch high.
It looked like some terrible burn scar.I hope nothing like that happens to your eye.
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 12:45:09
In reply to Shingles are back in my eye!, posted by Poet on January 10, 2009, at 17:53:20
Poet just wondering if you've had a complete medical work-up that might explain another outbreak of shingles. How horrible your eye. Would drive me nuttier than I already am. I'm truly sorry. Love Phillipa
Posted by Poet on January 13, 2009, at 9:46:01
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye!, posted by Sigismund on January 10, 2009, at 18:38:41
Hi Sigismund,
When I had shingles last April I did get the ugly scabs on the right side of my forehead and scalp which have caused some scarring. Then my eye was swollen shut, but once it opened up my visino was okay even though my eye was infected. This time I have no scabs (the only positive) but my vision is poor. In the long run I'd rather have poor vision than scabs and scarring, not to mention the itching and pain.
Poet
Posted by Poet on January 13, 2009, at 9:50:38
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Poet, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2009, at 12:45:09
Hi Phillipa,
I was all clear in October when I saw the eyd doctor and regular doctor. Eye doc said it's unusual for it to occur again so soon. It could be stress related, so maybe I should up my Clonazepam, probably should ask pdoc first. Just what I need another doctor bill. Ugh.
Poet
Posted by Sigismund on January 13, 2009, at 15:23:20
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Sigismund, posted by Poet on January 13, 2009, at 9:46:01
Cocaine eye drops?
Such a product does actually exist.
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2009, at 20:06:13
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Phillipa, posted by Poet on January 13, 2009, at 9:50:38
Poet really stress can cause shingles? Didn't know that but makes sense as lowers autoimmune system. Love Phillipa
Posted by Poet on January 14, 2009, at 18:30:51
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Poet, posted by Sigismund on January 13, 2009, at 15:23:20
Hi Sigismund,
I've never heard of cocaine eye drops. If I could get them I would give it a try.
Poet
Posted by Poet on January 14, 2009, at 18:34:05
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Poet, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2009, at 20:06:13
Hi Phillipa,
I have been more stressed lately and I really think that's is a major contributer to the shingles attack. Long, hard sigh.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2009, at 20:10:21
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Phillipa, posted by Poet on January 14, 2009, at 18:34:05
Amazing how damaging stress is for people. And difficult to avoid even with coping mechanisms. Love Phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 15, 2009, at 18:24:06
In reply to Shingles are back in my eye!, posted by Poet on January 10, 2009, at 17:53:20
Poet, have you been offered the drug Valtrex (valaciclovir) or Famvir (famciclovir)? They're anti-virals with good efficacy against herpes zoster. You need to take them a number of times a day (short half-life), but only for a week.
I hope you remit quickly.
Lar
Posted by Poet on January 17, 2009, at 15:28:21
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Poet, posted by Larry Hoover on January 15, 2009, at 18:24:06
Hi Larry,
I was on valtrex last May when I had the outbreak all over the right side of my forehead and scalp. It did work on the visible ones, but all the eye doc suggested for my eye was the steroid drops, so maybe it doesn't help infected eyes? It's better and I am down to two drops a day for a week then one drop a day and see eye doc. So I a hope in two weeks my eye is back to normal: extremely nearsighted, but not infected.
Poet
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 17, 2009, at 16:33:55
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Larry Hoover, posted by Poet on January 17, 2009, at 15:28:21
I found numerous references to the use of anti-virals for herpes zoster ophthalmicus. It's just that vision is so important. If it wasn't the same doctor that prescribed Valtrex last time, maybe you could go back to the other one?
Lar
Posted by Poet on January 21, 2009, at 12:51:06
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Poet, posted by Larry Hoover on January 17, 2009, at 16:33:55
Hi Larry,
I called and Valtrax probably would have helped had I taken it when the blurry vision first started. It's more effective when taken immediately aftering noticing symptoms and it's been four weeks since my vision got blurry so doc said it wouldn't really do anything.
I have learned a lesson- if I get blurry vision again I call the eye doc and regular doc and get on valtrax and steroid eye drops. Good news is my viision is much better and I'm being tapered off the eyedrops. I see eye doc again on the 30th. And I hope not to have to go back unless it's for something normal like an eye exam.
Poet
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 21, 2009, at 18:16:28
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Larry Hoover, posted by Poet on January 21, 2009, at 12:51:06
Thanks for letting me know.
I was probably projecting a bit of my own anxiety. Of all my senses, I by far value sight the highest. I couldn't handle losing it.
I wish you a full recovery.
Lar
Posted by Poet on February 1, 2009, at 17:10:13
In reply to Re: Shingles are back in my eye! » Poet, posted by Larry Hoover on January 21, 2009, at 18:16:28
My vision is back to its normal extreme nearsightedness and eye doc said to call if it comes back.
His last words to me were "you're too young for this. Avoid fever and stress."
I am too young for this, I haven't had a cold or flu in years so fever is not a factor, but avoid stress? Wish me luck on that one.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on February 1, 2009, at 20:06:03
In reply to All Clear, posted by Poet on February 1, 2009, at 17:10:13
Poet it's kind of a joke as stress is everywhere excluding so safe places like bed for me!!!! Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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