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What Does L2 Distribution Of Shingles Mean?
Question: What does L2 distribution of shingles mean? Is it more serious or take longer to heal? Does it return in same location frequently? I have had Herpes simplex cold sores since age 15 and am 61 now.
Brief Answer:
L2 is the nerve that the infection is attacking.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. Shingles are an infection. Its caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. Thats the same virus that caused your chicken pox when you were a child. The virus was defeated by your immune system years ago, but it hid out inside the nerves of your spinal canal. That's normal it happens to everyone.
Now, the virus is hiding in these nerves and when you are stressed or your immune system isn't working well, the virus will reactivate and attack the nerve they live in.
In this case, your L2 nerve (nerve coming out of the L2 vertebrae and going into your legs) has been affected, so that's where you will have pain and boils like Chicken Pox.
The infections will heal within a few weeks and sometimes you might need to have some steroids and pain killers to control it. But it's a self limiting disease.. that means your immune system will beat it down again.
As to how often in can reoccur.. well, the virus isn't going anywhere, it just waits for your immune system to weaken, so as you age, or if you get sick with anything that weakens your immune system.. then you can have a shingles flare-up.
As far as location is concerned. there is no discernible pattern, it can hit the same nerve twice.. i've seen that. but it affects other nerves often as well.
Hope this helps. Feel free to follow-up
Vinay
L2 is the nerve that the infection is attacking.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. Shingles are an infection. Its caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. Thats the same virus that caused your chicken pox when you were a child. The virus was defeated by your immune system years ago, but it hid out inside the nerves of your spinal canal. That's normal it happens to everyone.
Now, the virus is hiding in these nerves and when you are stressed or your immune system isn't working well, the virus will reactivate and attack the nerve they live in.
In this case, your L2 nerve (nerve coming out of the L2 vertebrae and going into your legs) has been affected, so that's where you will have pain and boils like Chicken Pox.
The infections will heal within a few weeks and sometimes you might need to have some steroids and pain killers to control it. But it's a self limiting disease.. that means your immune system will beat it down again.
As to how often in can reoccur.. well, the virus isn't going anywhere, it just waits for your immune system to weaken, so as you age, or if you get sick with anything that weakens your immune system.. then you can have a shingles flare-up.
As far as location is concerned. there is no discernible pattern, it can hit the same nerve twice.. i've seen that. but it affects other nerves often as well.
Hope this helps. Feel free to follow-up
Vinay
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
How long does peer review take? When is email answer to be expected?
What is MD's name working on answer? What state is he licences in?
What is MD's name working on answer? What state is he licences in?
Brief Answer:
Our process
Detailed Answer:
Hi there, Thanks for following up.
Our peer review process works like this. Internal doctors who work FOR the site will check the answers given by the consultants who we have credentialed. Peer review happens in real time and it is variable. We try to keep review to about 15minutes after a doctor has answered the question.
My name is Vinay Bhardwaj
I am licensed to practice in XXXXXXX (USA), New XXXXXXX (USA) and XXXXXXX (India).
Hope this answers your question appropriately. Feel free to follow-up
Vinay
Our process
Detailed Answer:
Hi there, Thanks for following up.
Our peer review process works like this. Internal doctors who work FOR the site will check the answers given by the consultants who we have credentialed. Peer review happens in real time and it is variable. We try to keep review to about 15minutes after a doctor has answered the question.
My name is Vinay Bhardwaj
I am licensed to practice in XXXXXXX (USA), New XXXXXXX (USA) and XXXXXXX (India).
Hope this answers your question appropriately. Feel free to follow-up
Vinay
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply. I am a PharmD and this is the first time I have had this L2 distribution. It was only on my left side. I have lately had poor immune status and my herpes simplex has had to be treated 3 times. It is strange to me as I am right hand and leg dominant in that I have stood with my wait on my right leg over 31 years dispensing medications to patients. I also have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand that is currently bothering me. So, the L2 distribution in my left leg, and partially up by left back seemed odd to me.
I am sorry to hear it may hit just that nerve again. My doctor said I was his 3rd patient this year, but the only one with L2 dist. and he usually sees most of his cases in XXXXXXX Coincidence or common for XXXXXXX initiation?
I am sorry to hear it may hit just that nerve again. My doctor said I was his 3rd patient this year, but the only one with L2 dist. and he usually sees most of his cases in XXXXXXX Coincidence or common for XXXXXXX initiation?
Brief Answer:
Summer climate change stress
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for following up. Summer in the northern hemisphere brings in widespread crops of Shingles. The stress from the heat is what i blame. Not 100% sure of that though.
The left side seems completely natural to me.. the fact that you use your right side more means that the nerves , muscles and bones are better developed and have better bloodflow that side.. so the side which gets less exercise is the perfect place for an opportunistic bug like Varicella.
Now, I think the most important thing to to work on strengthening your immune system. By your own account it is weak? You're in the field.. so i expect you know why it's been like that. Tell me, maybe we can work out a plan to get things better.
Vin
Summer climate change stress
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for following up. Summer in the northern hemisphere brings in widespread crops of Shingles. The stress from the heat is what i blame. Not 100% sure of that though.
The left side seems completely natural to me.. the fact that you use your right side more means that the nerves , muscles and bones are better developed and have better bloodflow that side.. so the side which gets less exercise is the perfect place for an opportunistic bug like Varicella.
Now, I think the most important thing to to work on strengthening your immune system. By your own account it is weak? You're in the field.. so i expect you know why it's been like that. Tell me, maybe we can work out a plan to get things better.
Vin
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Your answer was worth the $15.00 which is the same as my office copay for my regular MD.
I still wonder about the left side distribution since it is my right side of my body, mouth, wrist, leg, ball of right foot, and numb middle toe that has all the nerve damage. It concerns me to have my left side affected now as well.
I have been taking my dogs out in the sun for long periods lately. So, I will get off my feet, stay out of the sun, and maybe take the Valtrex a couple days longer to get rid of the rash inside some skin folds and keep it dry. It has made sleeping uncomfortable such that I am not getting enough sleep, which doesn't help my immune system either. It is time for some sick leave we pharmacists rarely take, I think.
I still wonder about the left side distribution since it is my right side of my body, mouth, wrist, leg, ball of right foot, and numb middle toe that has all the nerve damage. It concerns me to have my left side affected now as well.
I have been taking my dogs out in the sun for long periods lately. So, I will get off my feet, stay out of the sun, and maybe take the Valtrex a couple days longer to get rid of the rash inside some skin folds and keep it dry. It has made sleeping uncomfortable such that I am not getting enough sleep, which doesn't help my immune system either. It is time for some sick leave we pharmacists rarely take, I think.
Brief Answer:
Glad I could help.
Detailed Answer:
Always happy to help.
Stay out of the sun when you can.. but don't sacrifice all exercise.. thats even worse. I dunno, my dad likes mall walking cause of the Airconditioning as well as the Abercrombie & Fitch models.. maybe you could try that.
Keep going with the Valtrex, it is proven to help in these cases.
Given your educational background.. i'm hesitant to try and educate you on all the skin creams and balms that will help in this case. See if there is something that will help you.
And yes REST!
Vin
Glad I could help.
Detailed Answer:
Always happy to help.
Stay out of the sun when you can.. but don't sacrifice all exercise.. thats even worse. I dunno, my dad likes mall walking cause of the Airconditioning as well as the Abercrombie & Fitch models.. maybe you could try that.
Keep going with the Valtrex, it is proven to help in these cases.
Given your educational background.. i'm hesitant to try and educate you on all the skin creams and balms that will help in this case. See if there is something that will help you.
And yes REST!
Vin
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Your answer makes complete since in terms of the weakness of my left side. Even consciously wearly a wrist brace and written notes to tell myself to stop leaning primarily on my right foot have been mostly unsuccessful.
I live in Clovis, CA. The weather just reached the 100's, so that make since too. I have been keeping the dogs in later until it cools some. But since I am usually under fluorescent lighting 10+hours a day, the sunlight, though later in the day will have to stop for awhile.
I'm lucky the Valtrex continues to work over the last 45 years and has not required any other treatment. I did use a little steroid cream on the inguinal sores to help me sleep. I hope I can effect behavior changes that prevent another episode.
I live in Clovis, CA. The weather just reached the 100's, so that make since too. I have been keeping the dogs in later until it cools some. But since I am usually under fluorescent lighting 10+hours a day, the sunlight, though later in the day will have to stop for awhile.
I'm lucky the Valtrex continues to work over the last 45 years and has not required any other treatment. I did use a little steroid cream on the inguinal sores to help me sleep. I hope I can effect behavior changes that prevent another episode.
Brief Answer:
You are on the right track
Detailed Answer:
100's huh. Ouch. Yhea, stay indoors. That heat can't help. The rest of what you said is perfect. Feel free to follow-up on this or anything else.
Vin
You are on the right track
Detailed Answer:
100's huh. Ouch. Yhea, stay indoors. That heat can't help. The rest of what you said is perfect. Feel free to follow-up on this or anything else.
Vin
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I would like to do like your dad and mall walk, but I have two standard french poodles that need exercise and mall and stores frown on dog indoors.
I will have to try walking them much later in the day after work. They need the exercise and love, too.
Diprosone cream was enough on just 3 of the inguinal sores. I don't like steroids in general and plan to have Abreva on hand for next time. I was caught by XXXXXXX
Good night and thank you
I will have to try walking them much later in the day after work. They need the exercise and love, too.
Diprosone cream was enough on just 3 of the inguinal sores. I don't like steroids in general and plan to have Abreva on hand for next time. I was caught by XXXXXXX
Good night and thank you
Brief Answer:
Take Care
Detailed Answer:
I was just thinking i should have warned you off a bit on the use of steroids. Then i remembered your background. Oh well. We're on the same page. You have yourself a wonderful morning.
Vin
Take Care
Detailed Answer:
I was just thinking i should have warned you off a bit on the use of steroids. Then i remembered your background. Oh well. We're on the same page. You have yourself a wonderful morning.
Vin
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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