talk to me, someone....

[Annpan]

Waiting to hear back from NHS 24 (Scotlands 24 hour help line) if I need to be going to the hospital.

I have a terrible rash, that started a few days ago like a few heat spots and it has gradually got worse and worse. Now it looks like big blisters on certain parts of my skin (where underwear elastic rubs against)

I woke up this morning with a sore throat that has been getting gradually worse.

So I checked out the NHS24 website and it was leading me down a bunch of questions that sounded like hinting at meningitis... which I am sure it isn't.

But anyway, I am waiting for a nurse to phone me back now.... and it is such a painful wait.

I don't know if I have sort out childcare for this evening, I don't know if I have to go to the doctors or to a hospital treatment/ diagnosis room (BTW you always end up sitting in A+E for hours instead)

Or maybe I'll be told to take anti-hystamines? who knows...

but this waiting is horrid.......

[red]

awww
its prolly goign to be ok Ann

really

just sensible to check it out
want to chat in the chat thing?

[ellie12022]

My thoughts are with you Annpan, I hope whatever it is you recover soon.

[Milims]

You're very sensible to have it checked out. I really hope it turns out to be nothing serious. In the meantime and take care

[Rosendula]

oo lots of hugs needed
Glad you're looking after yourself and are seeking advice. I take it E and OH hasn't got them too? My (very uneducated, very non-medical) guess would be an allergy to something. I'm sure you'll be OK.

[Thomzo]

Oh, Ann, I do hope it's nothing serious. Isn't there a glass test for meningitis? Have you tried that?

Best wishes.

Zoe

[Cassiepod]

Fingers crossed it turns out to be minor. Do let us know if you get the all clear. I don't think we could bomb down to Glasgow quick enough to be useful with childcare
If it is meningitis tho' the faster you get medical attention the better (like you didn't know!) I think the cold glass test is if you press cold glass against te rahs and it doesn't disappear.
Hope you are better soon, Cass

[thesunflowergal]

Ann

poor you!!

My Mum works for these people, it maybe worth while looking at their website or calling the free phone number

http://www.meningitis.org/

I hope that its not of course, keep your chin up hun

xx

[ina]

I hope that by now you have heard back, Ann - keeping my fingers crossed for you, and an eye on this thread! Get your OH to post on here to let us know, if you can't do it yourself...

[Annpan]

I'm back. I waited 2 hours for a call back to say that I should phone my own doctor

So I got to the surgery 5 mins before closing... I have shingles


Now... I have been told it is highly infectious, I have been told that it is a different disease to chicken pox (this is what my doctor said... what do we, or indeed the internet know???)

I have been given anti-virals Aciclovir if anyone os interested.


It seems to be mild and I am really OK - playing for sympathy vote and crawling into bed early tonight me thinks....


Thanks for all your kind thoughts, we should all be glad that those are virtual hugs

[Milims]

Funnily enough I did wonder if it could be shingles. You have my sympathy - I've had it and it hurts (sorry to tell you that). On the up side my dad also had it and the docs told him that it would take a long time to clear up, so we had him bathe at least once a day with lavender, bergamot and eucalyptus oils in the water. They soothed the pain, lifted spirits and cleansed the skin and he was better in a fortnight. Healing vibes and gentle hugs coming your way

[snapdragon]

good job I didn't get online sooner - I would have said take anti-histamines
Take care Annpan

[MKG]

Oh, poor Ann. I've just read this and was about to post to tell you you'd got shingles - but I see you know that already. My archaic Mum's just had it. You WILL need calamine lotion and pain killers.

Good news - it will be gone in two to three weeks and you'll never get it again.

Bad news - sorry about this, but your doctor has no idea what he/she is talking about. Shingles is without doubt caused by exactly the same herpes virus as chicken pox (you have shingles now ONLY because you've had chicken pox in the past). You cannot give anyone shingles - that takes years of the virus sitting in your body before re-erupting. You CAN give chicken pox to anyone who hasn't had it. Your doctor may well be the same one who told my sister that her swollen foot was due to spider venom (this in Nottinghamshire). She too - yes, I can hear you, Ann - said "Well, he's a doctor and you're not!!!". The second doctor agreed with me.

If you're getting a knicker-line rash, the virus has probably erupted in your sciatic nerve, so keep an eye on your lower legs for secondary rash sites. And I'm glad to hear that it's mild at the moment - but don't ignore those pain killers and calamine, because sleepless nights can make anyone testy - even a sweet-tempered thing like you.

Get well soon

Mike

[southeast-isher]

Hey AnnPan, hope you're okay. It's funny, today i was diagnosed with chicken pox. Wasn't given antivirals (should i?) and was told to take anti-hystimine tablets and apply calamine lotion.

[red]

doh ! i shoudl have thoguht of shingles. i had it a while back.. on my face. not nice

it is the same virus as chicken pox... i find it worrying that you Dr says otherwise.

has E had CP ?