Shingles during pregnancy

[peaceofmind_11]

Hi mamas, I dont post often, but I am in need of some support! I went to the dr today and found out I have shingles! I am 23 weeks along, and my midwife and the dr at urgent care reassured me that the baby is A OK, but I couldnt help but do some internet surfing and find conflicting info. Also, I am totally uncomfotable taking antiviral drugs while preggo, and am going to get some things from my local natural pharmacy that are good to use. I am wondering if any of you have had this, or have any advice for me....Thanks is advance!
~Thanks & Peace~

[Terrilein]

I have no clue whatsoever. I have only known two people with shingles and the one was off work for months due to shingles. As I understand it, it can be quite painful depending on the infected area. So I'd definitely do everything possible to get over it ASAP, but I'd talk with your doc and/or mw about starting with gentler methods before moving on to the big guns. Maybe they have experience with alternative remedies???

Edit: Totally forgot to add that I hope your shingles clears up soon!

[blueeyes]

I am so sorry you are going through this. I had shingles during a previous pregnancy & it was horribly painful. I don't know if location has to do with the amount of pain, mine were across the left side of my chest & I thought I was having a heart attack before the rash came out! All they gave me to take was darvecet (sp?) for the pain & calamine for the itching.
I don't know anything about how it effects pregnancy outcome, as I had a miscarriage with that one (low progesterone). But, I am here for support & feel free to PM me anytime you want

[Surfacing]

I've had shingles before - it was painful but a relatively mild case I think. I did take an anti-viral but I wasn't pregnant at the time.

It will pass. I don't have any specific pregnancy advice though, I'm sorry.

It's painful - clearly a sign your body needs R&R.

[slgt]

Oh mama, I'm so sorry. No advice for you but this thread caught my attention - a friend of mine who is 19 weeks pregnant just learned that she's been exposed to shingles via a coworker. I hope you are able to get rest & I hope it clears up soon for you. Ouch.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Originally Posted by slgt

Oh mama, I'm so sorry. No advice for you but this thread caught my attention - a friend of mine who is 19 weeks pregnant just learned that she's been exposed to shingles via a coworker. I hope you are able to get rest & I hope it clears up soon for you. Ouch.

As long as she had had CP being around someone with shingles wont cause her any issues at all. And even if she hasnt had CP unless she touches the shingles spots on the co worker she has nothing to worry about.

OP I hope you feel better soon.

[evjolin]

booo, this stinks for you. i had shingles back in college, and all i can recommend (not knowing any specific side effects of prescriptions) is to get treatment RIGHT away.

shingles treatment is not something to delay. it can get much much worse and you can have pain for the rest of your life. i had a mild case, but it required 2 rounds of treatment (i was on valtrex i think--not sure as it was 9 years ago). i am very lucky, i don't have chronic pain, but i do "feel" the affected area once in a blue moon in a slightly painful way. very rarely though.

again--so sorry!! and good luck :-)

[tcooper]

It is very rare for the baby to have any effects. So, I wouldn't worry about it. I, personally, would not take the meds, either. I had shingles about two years ago while I was breastfeeding and refused the meds. I certainly would not take them during pregnancy. I do have some nerve damage and have pain now and then, however it is not debilitating and risking damage to my child outweighed damage to me. I would rather have pain the rest of my life than hurt my child. The meds must be taken within 48 hours and they don't get rid of the infection. It *can* make it less severe and shorten the duration. It just wasn't worth it to me to take. Good luck and I hope it isn't too severe. Shingles was the worst illness I have ever had.

Oh, I did use calamine for itch and I took a big dose of vitamin C and B complex. The B complex helps nerve damage. Check with your midwife and see if it would be okay to take. My son did not get CP, however my poor husband did.

[pacificbliss]

I had them but I wasn't pg so I took the anti-virals. I also remember there was a topical cream for pain and scarring. Maybe that would be an option? Depending on where the rash is and how big absorbtion into the blood stream could be very low.

Hope you feel better soon.

[mama2toomany]

I had shingles when I was pregnant.. There was really nothing out there for me to use, shingles is the most painful thing ever, I still have scars.

My oldest son got chicken pox and from that I got shingles. Not fun

[peaceofmind_11]

Thanks mamas for your support. Im feeling a little better, but now I think my 2 year old has chicken pox I wasnt ready for this yet...

[dannic]

I agree with your mw/dr that the shingles itself shouldn't harm your baby at this point (since you're so far along). My understanding is that it's a concern for the beginning of pregnancy, so you're past that. I'm sorry you have to deal with this on top of being pregnant tho, that's no fun!
I have been wanting my kids to get CP for the longest time, and it only ever pops up when I'm pregnant, arggh. (I just learned today that a friend's son has it). So I know the timing isn't the best, but at least your son is getting the exposure he needs. I agree with pp to get rest, lots of vit C and B's and I'd add be sure to keep hydrated.

[Surfacing]

[Kindermama]

I highly recommend that you see a classical homeopath.