Virus (Shingles) while dieting

findingmi
findingmi Posts: 31 Member
in Motivation and Support
I recently developed painful Shingles (chicken pox virus reawakened in my body). I have not been able to go to the gym for fear of scaring people--however I am not contagious to anyone who has been vaccinated. My antiviral medicine is making me feel extra hungry. I guess I just feel frustrated about this unexpected challenge. I am trying to stay on track, but REALLY miss my routine of going to the gym. Anyone else struggle with Shingles?

Replies

  • paulwatts747
    paulwatts747 Posts: 60 Member
    edited July 2017
    I've had shingles, it is no laughing matter. You are infectious until the blisters disappear. Most adults have had chicken pox so will be immune, but lots of kids haven't, so you really need to stay out of circulation.

    I had it on my face (opthalmic). The doctor sent me back to work when I still had sores on my face and I was promptly sent home for another week, even though I was no longer infectious. I've still got an indent on the tip of my nose from shingles.

    Your body is in a weakened state when you've got this. Give the gym a miss. It'll help you get over it.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,128 Member
    Focus on getting better, eat at maintenance if you can to help your body recover.
  • susanp57
    susanp57 Posts: 409 Member
    Been there. I ended up getting very run down and not sleeping. I would be very careful about overdoing.

    Most people over a certain age have not been vaccinated so you may be exposing the most vulnerable.
  • Mads7878
    Mads7878 Posts: 33 Member
    Yes indeed. Try Vit A ointment directly on the affeced areas and internally Vit A as well.
  • Luna3386
    Luna3386 Posts: 888 Member
    Depending on where it is, if you cover it, don't touch it and wash your hands, it may be okay to go.
  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    paulwatts747 wrote: »
    I've had shingles, it is no laughing matter. You are infectious until the blisters disappear. Most adults have had chicken pox so will be immune, but lots of kids haven't, so you really need to stay out of circulation.

    I had it on my face (opthalmic). The doctor sent me back to work when I still had sores on my face and I was promptly sent home for another week, even though I was no longer infectious. I've still got an indent on the tip of my nose from shingles.

    Your body is in a weakened state when you've got this. Give the gym a miss. It'll help you get over it.

    That's not how it works. Having chicken pox is the reason you have the risk of developing shingles. It's the reason the chicken pox vaccine now exists. If you're a certain age you can get the shingles vaccine, but you'd have to talk to your doctor.
  • susanp57
    susanp57 Posts: 409 Member
    MichelleSilverleaf wrote: »
    paulwatts747 wrote: »
    I've had shingles, it is no laughing matter. You are infectious until the blisters disappear. Most adults have had chicken pox so will be immune, but lots of kids haven't, so you really need to stay out of circulation.

    I had it on my face (opthalmic). The doctor sent me back to work when I still had sores on my face and I was promptly sent home for another week, even though I was no longer infectious. I've still got an indent on the tip of my nose from shingles.

    Your body is in a weakened state when you've got this. Give the gym a miss. It'll help you get over it.

    That's not how it works. Having chicken pox is the reason you have the risk of developing shingles. It's the reason the chicken pox vaccine now exists. If you're a certain age you can get the shingles vaccine, but you'd have to talk to your doctor.

    While the blisters are oozing they are infectious via direct contact with the ooze. It would not give a person shingles, it would give them chicken pox.

    https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/transmission.html


  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    Ah, well I stand corrected then :smile:
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Sorry you have this. I've heard it can be very painful and not fun I'm sure. For the missed workouts, can you work out at home? Even if it's not the same as what you do at the gym, it will keep you moving. None of like these unplanned challenges on our weightloss journey, but many of us have encountered things from emergency surgery to cancer, to family losses, to unexpected diseases. Life is full of challenges and the journey is for life, not just a few months. Part of our learning is to learn how to face these challenges and keep reasonably on track with our weight management and fitness progress. The good thing is, shingles does end, unlike some diseases that don't. Hang in there.

Categories