Morning everyone hope we all have a good Witt Bank holiday weekend, I got shingles 4 weeks ago but I thought it must be side effect from radiotherapy because it was on my left side were I had my radiotherapy (lung cancer left side ) so I just put cream on the blisters but the pain was dreadful so in end I seen my GP she was lovely and said it’s shingles but I can’t give you the tablets because it’s to late? Don’t understand that? My skin is so sore I’m putting Aqueous Calamine Cream on and Hydrocortisone cream on it’s helping a little. When do you think my immune system will be normal again? I’m fed up of being in pain and sleep I seem to be sleeping my life away doctor’s say it’s a side effect of my treatment Radiotherapy I’m fed up we having fabulous weather and I can’t be bothered to do anything? And my copd and emphysema has got worse since I’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer and Radiotherapy treatment? I go for a scan on the 5th of June and got an appointment to see my consultant on the 8th of June but I can’t see the point because they won’t have my results back from scan and it’s always a Friday morning when doctors meet to discuss their patients, I don’t know what to think about it all and I’m trying so hard not to twist and complain because there’s loads of people worse off than me I just can’t seem to pull myself together and I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety all my life because of things that happened to me as a child I’m on medication for my anxiety and depression but I’m always feeling so very sad and depressed and down on most days but I pretend I’m not because my poor hubby Steve and my daughter are worried about me enough I could just scream some days I just wish I could plug my self in and charge my battery up that’s what it feels like? Take care everyone love Yvonne
Hi Yvonne17 I haven’t had shingles, so I cannot comment on that, but I have had radiotherapy and I can tell you it was a good 4-6 months of feeling tired before I started to feel more like my old self again. What I felt was, as the radiotherapy built up into my body, the symptoms increased until about week 14, and then it felt like they were decreasing with each week, and each week I was feeling less tired.
You have been through an awful time, treatment is hard, and then to get shingles on top, it is no wonder you are feeling down. Maybe plan something small to do each day, but remember if you do go out, to cover up as you shouldn’t be in the sun whist having radiotherapy.
If you are feeling really down, and feel that you will benefit from talking to a counsellor, then Macmillan can arrange this for you. Call 0808 808 00 00.
You will feel better in time Yvonne, just rest when your body is telling you too, that is the best way for recovery. X
Hi Yvonne17
I haven’t had radiotherapy but I’ve had shingles and from what Chelle has described the side effects of Radiotherapy and the discomfort of shingles you have a right to be feeling low.
I had same as you and was told that I was too late for the tablets. TBH I felt cheated I may have felt better had she of given me the things.
The nerve pain is horrible so hopefully your GP has recommended some good painkillers. My go to is paracetamols and if I feel inflammation I also have ibuprofen but best check with a medic
The worst thing about nasty shingles is the amount of discomfort it’s causes for the few blisters it makes. I felt like I should of had a lot more to show for it
I was off for a couple of weeks I worked in a school so that’s how I got it from the chicken pox that was going about
Take care
Ann
