This is as close as I'm getting to putting nudie shots on my website. For now.
This started as five little blistery bumps which looked like they might be some sort of bite -- four teeth on the upper jaw, one on the lower? -- which I think appeared a day or so after I came back from Vermont (or the day I did?) You can see them, they're the darker red ones. They're slightly lower than my navel on my right-hand side. Navel shown for size comparison.
For those of you who are familiar with my self-mutilation habits, this is not just more of "the usual," although, ok, I fussed with it a little once it showed up. But it's itchy, has a sort of a crawly feeling to it, and is in an unusual location. And I've now developed a patch in a parallel location on my back:
So -- any bets? Yes, I think the crawly bastard who hangs out on my ceiling over my bed is definitely a suspect. Also, there is a family history of shingles, so that's also a possibility. Or you could figure this out the Hampshire way -- "learn by doing," rub up against me, and catch it for yourself. (leer) Discover from the inside!
Nobody's coming over to play at my house anymore, are they?
Posted by Gus at July 13, 2003 09:13 PM
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Hey Gillie - Have Pia and Janice check out your site.
Posted by: Catherine at July 14, 2003 2:19 PM
Could it be poison ivy? My understanding is that shingles feels more like a muscle ache with a little itchiness, while poison ivy just itches like crazy.
Posted by: Catherine at July 14, 2003 2:35 PM
hi gillie-
WOW! 2 cases in one family!
IT'S SHINGLES! at least, it fits the pathology- especially with it appearing in two places on one nerve pathway. Looks like mine did, but I would say check with a doctor. They have antivirals for it that will make it go away pretty quick. Sorry, I know it sucks. Mine kept me up at night and it still itches sometimes now.
Posted by: sly at July 14, 2003 2:59 PM
It's conclusive: shingles. This means I can spread chicken pox, apparently. I am getting antivirals to suppress all this. If you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system, don't get near me, and if you're coming to my birthday party you might want to let me know if you haven't had chicken pox before. I guess it's not easy but also not impossible to spread.
This website is turning into the Vermin Identification Slide Web Journal. jeebus. Sausage and syndromes. very Packingtown, no, Bacon?
Posted by: gus at July 14, 2003 7:54 PM
just so you (and EVERYBODY ELSE!) know, I was engaging in some serious close contact with a certain person who'd never had chickenpox before during my outbreak of shingles, and he never caught it.
Oh BOY! Now everyone can still come to your party!
Posted by: sly at July 15, 2003 12:33 AM
Ouch. Shingles sucks. I'm _still_ recovering from a nasty set of winter shingles brought on by rheumatic fever. (I know, I know.)
Take the antivirals asap and get sleep. Coax your doctor into giving you dreamy painkillers.
One cool thing: my 80 year old doctor used a turn of the century nerve map, complete with cromolitho plates and tissue paper pages, to chart my shingles.
Posted by: Stewart at July 16, 2003 12:41 AM
I am officially changing the name of this disease to "stabbies," since "scabies" and "scrapies" are already taken and that's just what it feels like. Or maybe "Crawlies-Stabbies Syndrome."
Posted by: gus at July 16, 2003 4:27 PM
or "pokies," maybe. "scratchies"?
Posted by: gus at July 16, 2003 6:39 PM
Hey, Gus, I think somebody found your site....
Posted by: Elaine at July 19, 2003 6:50 PM