Suggest Treatment For Numbness And Nausea While Recovering From Shingles

Posted on Thu, 6 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 6 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently have been taking 800mg-5 times daily for the shingles. I finished the dosage on Monday night. I am now feeling quite awful. My fingers on my right hand feel numb and I feel nauseaed. What is wrong with me?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Recovery from shingles takes few weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in details.
Please find my observations below.

1. Shingles is a condition which happens due to reactivation of herpes virus in the dorsal nerve root ganglia. This causes irritation of particular nerves and this is felt as severe burning pain and numbness.

2. Acyclovir is the recommended treatment for shingles and should be started within 72 hours of the rashes to control the infection.

3. Shingles activates and irritates the nerves and it might cause severe pain, numbness for weeks to months.

4. Most people start feeling better after 4 to 6 weeks and since you recently were diagnosed with singles therefore recovery will take few weeks.

5. There is no serious concern but the recovery phase might be troublesome for some patients. Please take tramadol as recommended should there be severe pain.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (22 minutes later)

I have not stopped working and I feel that maybe I have probably made my sickness worse. Is that possible. My doctor gave me an excuse to be off, but I was not able to.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You might continue doing light work

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Shingles is a condition in which recovery takes time in weeks. You might continue to do light activities without putting yourself in to stress without any risk.

2. However please avoid doing intense physical activity since you might still feel weak for about 15 days.

3. Should you feel excessively tired then please take a break form work and allow yourself some rest. Have healthy nutrition and drink adequate amounts of fluids and juices.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar