I am a Itchy Hot Mess

I have had quite the week... sorry I haven't been around much.

My last week went like this:

Friday was hot.  All day I was uncomfortable, ya know when you are sticky hot and your bra just really bugs?!?  Yea, it was one of those types of days.  I just couldn't wait to get home and get in some comfy clothes.  We walked to Taco Grill for dinner with the neighbors as usual.  This Friday was different... my little friend didn't  take her nap so she was a tad cranky.  I ended up carrying her most of the way there something that rarely happens.  That little lady is a ball of energy!  I had a rough time sleeping, but I thought it was just because it was so hot.

Saturday afternoon I kept complaining about my upper right back hurting.  It was soooo achy and I couldn't get comfortable no matter what I did.  It was so irritating, I just wanted it to pop or find a position that would make it tolerable.  My hubby said it probably hurt because I carried the little lady the night before.  Yea, I guess... so I took some aspirin and went to bed.

Sunday I took aspirin all day to try to get through... I noticed some bug bites on my back and figured that might be why part of the hurt.  I get really swollen when I get a bite, so it was no big deal for it to hurt and itch.

Monday at work my back hurt so bad but the pain had traveled under my right arm... it itched so bad that it hurt.  I couldn't get comfortable and I just wanted to scratch under my arm to try to get relief.  I asked  my sister about 100 times... is there a rash here?  I itch bad!  My under wire bra was driving me crazy so I put tissue over the under wire to see if it would help... nope.  Seriously, it was like someone put itching powder in my bra.  I tried baby powder for the itch, cortisone cream... anything I had at home.  I took aspirin again to sleep that night.

Tuesday... sucked.  I was so itchy and in pain.  I took aspirin all day to try to relieve something. anything.  Again I asked my sister... is there a rash here?  Nope no rash... the pain and itch as all I could think about.  All I wanted to do was take my bra and shirt off so that nothing touched me.  That night my hubs, sister and I walked to Taco Grill for dinner. (can you tell we eat there a lot?)  After dinner I made my sister look at my back and underarm really well... I was convinced that something was wrong but I had no idea what.  How can you itch and not have a rash?!?!  My sister said that my bug bites might be shingles... so I looked it up and it kinda fit my symptoms.  By this time it was too late to go to Urgent Care so I suffered another itchy painful night.

I dropped my hubby off at work on Wednesday and then headed in to Urgent Care to find out what was wrong with me.  Guess what?!?!  I do have shingles.  Freakin' great.  I was prescribed anti-viral and pain meds... I wish I could say they provide relief... but they don't.  Even after starting the meds I have developed a rash under my arm and basically everywhere my bra goes from the under wire to my back on the right side.  Nothing helps the itch, the vicadin takes the edge off the pain... but that it about it.  This pain is like an achey dull pain that won't let up.  When the pain meds wear off I get shooting pains... really, it's a wonderful disease.

Today I woke up and cried because I didn't want to put a shirt on let alone a bra.  It hurt so bad this morning!  I got to work and it hurt... I went home at lunch.  As soon as I walked in the door I changed my clothes, took off my bra, and coated on the Caladryl lotion.  Not that it really helps the itch, but it makes me feel like I am trying!  As long as I don't move my arm and my shirt doesn't move... the itch is tolerable and the shooting pain stays away for the most part.

via

It has been a long itchy painful week, but I am thankful that the heat has let up a little bit and I am not a sticky itchy hot mess!  Hopefully I will get some relief soon!

Want to know more about shingles?  You can learn all the lovely disease here.