Herpes Zoster Encore (I'm totally naming my band that)

It says right there on the Mayo Clinic web site:

"Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weak immune systems."

This is totally unacceptable. How did I get here? If I never was quite bulletproof, I've always been damn near bugproof. Basically, in two weeks, I got a bacterial infection of the finger and a viral infection of the forehead. I'm not sure what it's gonna take for me to live a healthier lifestyle, but I hope I'm convinced pretty soon. The next thing might be permanent …

Shit. I gots the Shingles. It's one of those things you always hear about, but when a doctor says you have it, you have to admit you have no idea what the hell it is.

(For my coworkers: Yes, I'm coming back to work today. Yes, it's very mildly contagious — but only if you haven't had the chicken pox. And only if I rub my forehead on you. I shall restrain myself.)

What it is, is an encore of the chicken pox virus. Once you get it as a kid, you carry the virus around with you forever, they say. I guess when you get old and/or weak, it comes back. Only this time in a more limited, but more painful form. I got it over my left eye and dipping down to my left eyelid. And, for comedic effect, right in the middle of the forehead, too.

Since Sunday, I have wandered around, Igor-like, with my left eye swollen in stages ranging from mostly shut (the "Rocky" look) to half-shut (the "Something is Seriously Wrong With His Genetics" look).

After being misdiagnosed by a doc-in-the-box on Sunday, I saw my doctor on Tuesday and got the right drugs. And boy did I get them. Yesterday I took 11 pills and applied two different types of eye drops 7 times.

I'm on the upswing today. My left eye isn't swollen, just sore, and I'm feeling about 85 percent I guess.

Anyway, I'm on the go once again. I doubt I can wear my contacts until after my follow-up appointment with the eye doctor next week, and I'm getting pretty damn sick of my out-of-date glasses, but the experience is mostly done.

I can add it to my list of interesting medical experiences.

Still doesn't beat Cat Scratch Fever.

Comments

[Katherine]

I can't believe you taunt us with descriptions but no pictures.

[Dave T]

Blogging about my personal medical conditions is a little bit outside my comfort zone. But saying "hey! world! look at my disfigurement!" is too far.

[Katherine]

Piff. I would rather see photos of you looking like you'd just gotten done fighting off 12 ... no, 15 angry natives in the deepest Amazon than to hear all the gory details. :)

Well, actually I'd rather you not look like that at all, of course. But given the choice.

[Robert Adams]

Bummer dude -- I hope they caught it early enough that it doesn't spread. Are you still allowed to have beer with your medication?