Questions Everyone Should Ask

Questions You Should Ask Your Healthcare Provider

Many times, individuals dealing with Shingles know they need answers to better help them prepare and maintain their health along the way, but they don't know exactly what to ask or what they may need the answers to.  They may also feel embarrassed or ashamed and Family member's also need to ask their loved ones healthcare provider questions to better educate them on how to care for their family member during such a hard time.  Here are a list of questions that may help point you in the right direction and tips on how to gather the information you learn.

Gathering Information

1) Bring someone else with you.  Whether it's a family member or a friend, having someone else there with you will help.  They may remember to ask questions that you have forgotten and they may remember the answers to some as well.  

2) Try to write down everything the doctor relays to you.  That way you have your own reference materials handy for later when you may need them.  Sometimes reading something written in your own words can help you remember details you may otherwise forget.  It may also be easier to remember important details when you're reading your own words.

3) If you think of questions you have and want answers to, write them down and bring them with you.  That way you already have a head start and you're unlikely to forget them.

4) The most important tip to gathering information is do not be afraid to ask!!  Your healthcare provider is your best source for first hand information and that is what they are there for.  They can also give you tips on how to obtain additional information if it's needed.

Specific Questions to Ask Your Doctor

1) Ask your doctor if you are contagious.  Shingles can be contagious in certain situations and it's important for you to know whether or not your outbreak can be spread to someone else who may be highly susceptible to the infection.

2) If you are contagious, ask how you can avoid passing the infection to other people.  

3) Ask about your medications.  This is really important, especially if your medical doctor is prescribing something to you. Ask:

     A) Which treatments can relieve your pain and discomfort.

     B) Which treatments can help eliminate the infection altogether.

     C) Which medications can help prevent any possible complications.

     D) When and how often you should take any medications that have been prescribed.  

     E) What are the benefits of taking each medication and what are the side effects?

     F) Will they interact with each other and will they interact with any over the counter medications you may take.

     G) Are there any activities you shouldn't do or anything you should avoid while taking these medications?

4) If you get shingles on your face, how should you protect your eyes from infection.

5) What signs of an injected eye should you be looking for?

6) How likely are complications from shingles?

7) What treatments are available if you do suffer from complications? 

8) Last but not least, ask your medical doctor what other resources are available for information if you have other questions.

Questions for Family Members to Ask

1) What can you expect to happen to your family member during an outbreak?

2) How can you help your family member prepare for an outbreak and how can you help them through it?

3) Should you be monitoring your family member and when should you call your family member's doctor?

4) Should you be avoiding close contact with your family member and are you at risk for catching shingles?

5) Should you be vaccinated and will being vaccinated now make a difference?

6) Are there any brochures or printed materials that you can take with you to help you understand?

This is just a general list of some of the important questions that should not be overlooked.  As a reminder, taking a family member or a friend with you to an appointment is better than going alone for a number of reasons.  Do not be embarrassed or ashamed to ask any question you would like to know the answer to.  Your doctor is there to provide information as well as to help you through this time.  Below is a list of some websites that may be helpful as well.  You may read through the information and come up with a number of questions on your own that you feel may be important or beneficial for you.

Preparing For Your Appointment

Get Ready To Talk To Your Doctor

Talking To Your Doctor About Shingles

Self Management for Shingles Patients

  

Every Day Self-Management for Shingles Patients

As stated previously, having shingles can be extremely painful as well as hard to manage, especially on one’s own.  When a shingles outbreak occurs, one can experience not only the blisters and rashes but also headaches, migraines, fever and nausea.  Along the outbreak site, patients may also experience tingling, burning, sharp pains or even an itching sensation.  All of this is hard to manage even with help, so trying to manage it on one's own can indeed be difficult.  Having the right information on how to care for each symptom, however, can make it better and more manageable.  Here is a list of the possible side effects from a shingles outbreak and how you can treat them.

Blisters/Rashes  

Applying cool tap-water compresses for 20 minute intervals several times a day on blisters can help dry the blisters.  This will also help to remove the scabs and any bacterial infections that would otherwise occur.  Keeping the area clean with soap and water is a good way to limit the chances of infection as well and applying vaseline can help the healing process as well.  Applying cornstarch, baking soda, or any topical antibiotic prescribed by the doctor can aid in the healing process and limit the pain as well.

Migraines/Headaches 

At the first sign of a headache, it is always best to drink water and try ibuprofen.  This limits the possibility of it turning into a migraine later.  However, if you do experience a migraine, over the counter medicines such as Excedrin Migraine or Excedrin Extra Strength, or even mixing one Excedrin Migraine and one Aleve will help to relieve the migraine tension.  There are also a number of prescription migraine medications such as Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, and Naproxen Sodium to name just a few.  Be sure to check with your treating physician before taking a prescribed migraine medication if you are already taking another medication for shingles.

Sharp Pains/Tingles

There are antiviral medications that will help limit the pain such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir.  These must be prescribed by your regular treating physician but will also reduce the duration of the shingles outbreak.  You can also use ibuprofen, tylenol or any over the counter medication to reduce the pain sensations.  While taking these medications, make sure to read the labels carefully and pay attention to the frequency and dosages.

Nausea 

There are several over the counter medications for nausea as well including pepto bismol, emetrol, zantac, and McKesson's anti-nausea oral liquid medication.  There are also prescription medications for nausea like Zofran or Tigan Intramuscular among many others.  These may be useful if you are experiencing nausea frequently and are unable to continue with daily activities due to the sickness.

Other helpful tips:

Try to wear as loose of clothing as possible to keep the fabric from sticking to the blisters and sores.  When the fabric sticks to the dry blisters, it will cause them to rip off and become even more painful.  Clothing that rubs against the blisters or rash will also cause a painful sensation even if it does not cause the blisters to rip or peel prematurely.  Do not scratch the area where the rash is.  Instead, try applying a topical ointment to keep the itching to a minimum.  A topical benedryl or lidocaine should help.  Be sure to see your doctor within the first 48 hours of an onset of a rash.  Early treatment can greatly reduce the symptoms as well as the possibility of complications later on.

For more information on helpful treatment strategies, please see any of the following websites:

My Dr - Shingles Self Care

E Medicine Health - Shingles Treatment

WebMD - Drugs and Medication Search

WebMD - Shingles Treatment Overview