NDR - Shingles
- Thread starter Blake K
- Start date
tod osier
Well-known member
Schedule your coloscopy at the same time.
THIS!!!
Colon cancer is highly curable and survivable if caught early.
Had mine done as soon as I reached the age where my insurance would cover it.
The prep is the worst part, calling the stuff you have to drink the night before a laxative is an understatement, its a purgative!
You're asleep for the entire procedure, I remember none of it.
And no discomfort other than feeling gassy and very hungry, afterwards.
Blake K
Active member
Lots of good advice on this thread including the colonoscopy.
Dont wish shingles on anyone. IT is not fun and I think the worst part for me mentally is not knowing how long I will have to deal with this. If I knew if it lasted 2 weeks, or 2 months, etc., I would be able to deal with it easier. Its the unknown length of time which sucks mentally for me.
I know at least one person who will be getting the shingles vaccine--me!! With that being said, it is my understanding that I will have to wait a year after having shingles before I can get the vaccine.
Dont wish shingles on anyone. IT is not fun and I think the worst part for me mentally is not knowing how long I will have to deal with this. If I knew if it lasted 2 weeks, or 2 months, etc., I would be able to deal with it easier. Its the unknown length of time which sucks mentally for me.
I know at least one person who will be getting the shingles vaccine--me!! With that being said, it is my understanding that I will have to wait a year after having shingles before I can get the vaccine.
TimJ
Well-known member
That was recently brought up at an appointment. Dr said it would be good to do soon. Got an A on the rest of my health... well, physical health at least.
Thankfully, no family history so the home test is an option. Not sure about using that, too much uncertainty with them. Might as well get the full experience.
Jeff Reardon
Well-known member
My mother had a bad case in her early 30's on a family camping trip. +1 on anti-virals if not already too late.
If you can get the vaccine go for it - any side effects are minor compared to suffering from shingles! I have had shingles twice. First time 25 years ago New Year's Eve Y2K due to stress from work. Rash on my head and affected my eye. Looked like a Klingon. Got the vaccine when it became available 10 years later. Then I got it again 4 years ago on my torso - due to heat stress working on our duck club property in 35C/95F sunny weather. I'll probably try to get the vaccine again if I can.
tod osier
Well-known member
That is horrible, sorry to hear it. I really didn't realize how lucky I was with how mild mine was and how quick it resolved.
Jim Donofrio
Member
I had a mild case 20 years ago and I just got the vaccine
don novicki
Active member
I've been putting it off, but after following along here I'm going to get the Vaccine ASAP. Thanks for this thread.
greg setter
Well-known member
Thankfully, no family history so the home test is an option
I would do this first with your history. I(66 y/o) did it last year and because of a slight anomaly I did have to do the colonoscopy, which was also negative with no problem. I had read about the home test a few months prior to all of this because I was due, discussed with my physician and he agreed I should do that first. So even though I had to go ahead and get the colonoscopy done after, the home test is good enough for many people and the veracity of it is very good on negative results. Because of my age I have had a few colonoscopy's by now, and while the procedure itself is very low risk and the worst part is the prep, you don't really need it if your results on the home test are benign. By all means discuss with your physician first, but remember that you always have to be your own advocate in health care and your physician should be receptive to your inquiry. Remember also that in many areas these days MD's are part of a larger health system, the big brother always wants as much as they can get and sometimes influences the first message you get (time for a colonoscopy) and the question may elicit the response I got (yes, do the home test first). Especially with the family history(mine was the same as yours).
Blake, glad to hear you have some improvement already. It is likely that since you caught it so fast you will have a much shorter time to deal with it.
I would do this first with your history. I(66 y/o) did it last year and because of a slight anomaly I did have to do the colonoscopy, which was also negative with no problem. I had read about the home test a few months prior to all of this because I was due, discussed with my physician and he agreed I should do that first. So even though I had to go ahead and get the colonoscopy done after, the home test is good enough for many people and the veracity of it is very good on negative results. Because of my age I have had a few colonoscopy's by now, and while the procedure itself is very low risk and the worst part is the prep, you don't really need it if your results on the home test are benign. By all means discuss with your physician first, but remember that you always have to be your own advocate in health care and your physician should be receptive to your inquiry. Remember also that in many areas these days MD's are part of a larger health system, the big brother always wants as much as they can get and sometimes influences the first message you get (time for a colonoscopy) and the question may elicit the response I got (yes, do the home test first). Especially with the family history(mine was the same as yours).
Blake, glad to hear you have some improvement already. It is likely that since you caught it so fast you will have a much shorter time to deal with it.
Rick Pierce
Well-known member
Have had shingles once, on my head. Did not get to my eyes, thankfully, but it was not fun. My paternal grandmother used to deal with shingles on her body, and that was a bad deal.
Got the vaccine (two part) a couple years ago.
Had my first colonoscopy last year. Getting older is not for the faint of heart.
Blake, glad you're on the mend.
Got the vaccine (two part) a couple years ago.
Had my first colonoscopy last year. Getting older is not for the faint of heart.
Blake, glad you're on the mend.