Shingles Disease

Its very different for each person and how soon you were diagnosed.

My MIL had them a couple of years ago and got treatment right away and within a week it was gone. She no longer has any problems or pain from it.

P., welcome to mamapedia!!

I'm sorry you have Shingles..it's really painful!!

The duration of the virus is different for everyone. Each outbreak is different as well. Since you state you are on meds, but don't state which medication you are on - it's hard to tell. Since this is a nerve virus? The pain in and of itself could last for months...I'm sorry to say...I have a girlfriend with a current outbreak right now. She has it on her chest - the blisters and redness were horrible for her. It's now going on 3 weeks and it's just now going away.

I would talk with my doctor who is handling my meds and ask them what I can expect in way of pain decreasing, redness, etc. and if I will get an outbreak again. Would I be able to get the Zoster virus vaccination or is it too late?

Good luck!

It really depends on your system. My neighbor had them and the nerve pain for almost a year. One of my coworkers had them for around 3 weeks. No way to really tell how long they will last but keep taking your meds and make sure you eat well and get as much rest as possible.

About 2 to 4 weeks.

http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/s/article...

I'm 36, and had the shingles rash for 2 weeks, and pain near the rash for another 2. I didn't take the medicine, either.

Man, that stinks big time.

I know a friend that had a breakout and she had them for about 6 months. It's really hard on a person since it is so painful.

I'm really sorry you are going through this.

IT can be a two week thing or can come and go for a while. I had shingles (very mild and not painful for the most part). They hung around a while but stopped bothering me after a few weeks.

So sorry to hear! Feel better.

My mom has had it on and off for about 2 years now. Every time she is under stress she will get new outbreak. (She has had it on her forehead, ribs and foot. Her foot is where she has the recurrent outbreak though). Crazy!!!

What does your doctor say?

I took meds and within a few days the pain subsided, but it took awhile for it to scab over and even longer for it to completely go away. It was probably 6 weeks before it completely cleared up.

I had it while I was pregnant last year, and I think it took about 3 weeks for the pain to really be gone, even with the medication. On the upside, with the medication, they never got to the blister stage, just a painful red rash.

It really just depends.
My husbands aunt had it for almost 2 years! That's the most extreme case I've ever heard of. 2-4 weeks is typical.
If you have painful blisters? Try dabbing Maalox on them for some relief.
All the best!