Douglas Spencer ([info]dougs) wrote,
@ 2006-04-24 20:47:00
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Current mood: spotty

*scratch* *scratch*
Still spotty. Knees still hurt.

Mother's best guess: Shingles.
Her underlying logic: People my age don't get chicken pox, particularly people who've had it before. They get shingles instead.

My best guess: Chicken pox.
My underlying logic: It looks like chicken pox, and it feels like chicken pox. The spots aren't distributed like shingles, and the associated pain/discomfort is topical rather than neural. Also, I really don't want it to be shingles.

The same virus causes each condition. In each case, the treatment is broadly the same: the patient sits around grumbling and soliciting sympathy from anyone who listens.

Any further guesses about the nature of my malady are welcomed in the comments.

In other news, my interview at the US Embassy in connection with my visa application takes place at 9am tomorrow.


(32 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]ang_grrr
2006-04-24 07:50 pm UTC (link)
You should try and find out which it is: shingles isn't contagious while chicken pox is.

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[info]dougs
2006-04-24 08:01 pm UTC (link)
Shingles is contagious if you develop the spots which characterise chicken pox and they start weeping.

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[info]ang_grrr
2006-04-24 08:03 pm UTC (link)
I thought it was a significantly reduced viral load?

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[info]dougs
2006-04-24 08:12 pm UTC (link)
It is, but it exists nonetheless.

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[info]ang_grrr
2006-04-24 08:26 pm UTC (link)
Okay then.

You should try and find out which it is: shingles is potentially contagious if producing vesicles while chicken pox is highly infection both before and for the duration of the rash.

To be honest if you are spotty and it is chicken pox the damage is already done in terms of effective viral spread. It's a virus you have to grudgingly admire.

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[info]ang_grrr
2006-04-24 08:36 pm UTC (link)
I realise that grudging admiration doesn't take away the itch. Sorry. :(

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[info]peaceful_fox
2006-04-24 07:52 pm UTC (link)
I had chicken pox at age 37. I have no idea how old you are.

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[info]peaceful_fox
2006-04-24 07:54 pm UTC (link)
Oh yeah, it was my second time. The first time (at age 19) I broke out on my face, and legs and chest. The second time the rest of my body got hit. It is possible.

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[info]dougs
2006-04-24 07:59 pm UTC (link)
My brother had it more than once. My date of birth is on my userinfo page. I made this icon last September.

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[info]bugshaw
2006-04-24 08:03 pm UTC (link)
The stinking pox of Java and Sumatra?

I hope it's only grumble-worthy, and not more serious.

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[info]dougs
2006-04-24 08:13 pm UTC (link)
The stinking pox gives you black spots with a white stripe down the middle. They're quite distinctive, and hard to mistake for another condition.

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[info]flickgc
2006-04-24 08:06 pm UTC (link)
I thought that the whole point of chicken pox was that you can only have it once?

Good luck tomorrow -- I'm around, if you're at a lose end post-interview!

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[info]dougs
2006-04-24 08:16 pm UTC (link)
One of my brothers had it more than once. There's some controversy about the duration of immunity.

A venue for unwindage would be good. Thank you. I will text you if I find that I'm on my way.

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[info]flickgc
2006-04-24 08:28 pm UTC (link)
Hmm. Well, you'll have to promise not to infect me, too, then!

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[info]lostcarpark
2006-04-24 08:18 pm UTC (link)
Ouch. Angie has had chicken pox three times (twice as an adult), so it definitely can happen. As far as I know the symptoms of shingles are a bit different (and somewhat nastier - so hope it is chicken pox).

Best of luck with the interview. We'll miss you when you go away. Come visit us in Ireland.

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[info]dougs
2006-04-24 08:23 pm UTC (link)
I've enjoyed my previous visits to the Republic. If it weren't for the fact that I'm already booked in to far too many conventions in 2007, I'd be thinking about Octocon. We'll see.

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[info]moira_mae
2006-04-24 08:26 pm UTC (link)
I would give you advice on dealing with the itching, but i'm sure any remedy i've found online you've already searched out long ago.

Good luck on your interview tomorrow!

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[info]whotheheckami
2006-04-24 08:27 pm UTC (link)
Good luck for tomorrow my dear friend

*calamine soaked hugs for the other stuff*

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[info]ninneviane
2006-04-24 08:37 pm UTC (link)
I believe you can get Chicken Pox at any age, it's just that it's not seen so often in adults because most adults have already have been exposed to chicken pox when they were much younger. I once heard that you couldn't get chicken pox if you'd already had it, but I know someone who has had it twice, both times as an adult - both times it was verified by a doctor. If what I've heard is true shingles is more localised than Chicken Pox is, and somewhat more painful, though that can depend enormously on where you have it. My X father in law only ever used to get it on his lower back and used to be in absolute agony with it.
What ever it is you have, hope you feel better soon and the best of luck for tomorrow! :)

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[info]nmg
2006-04-24 08:44 pm UTC (link)
The appearance of shingles can vary quite widely, and you may find that some symptoms (the neuralgic pain) aren't apparent immediately. It's probably worth getting an appointment with your GP as soon as you can, if only to rule shingles out. If it's the worst case, and it is shingles, there are some anti-virals (acyclovir, commonly) that can help if taken early enough. Leave it too long and calamine lotion and painkillers are your main options, and it can take months to get better (my father was off work for two months with a moderate case). Hopefully it isn't shingles.

Anyway, good luck with the interview tomorrow. Don't defame the President!

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[info]archaro
2006-04-24 08:50 pm UTC (link)
You have my sympathies. For the lurgi and for the impending interview with petty bureaucrats. If they see the spots they might decide that you're a biological terrorist.

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[info]frandowdsofa
2006-04-24 08:51 pm UTC (link)
Good luck on both counts ...

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[info]ex_the_major316
2006-04-24 09:05 pm UTC (link)
Ewwwwww...

Sorry it had to be said.

*Passes the boxing gloves, a cold bath, and some toothpaste^*



^ toothpaste being the bestest way I have found to distract ones hands from itching - and you get super clean teeth by the end of it! :)

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[info]watervole
2006-04-24 09:08 pm UTC (link)
Go to anywhere that sells make-up if you can get there before the visa interview and see if you can get anything to hide the spots. If they think they may catch something from you, they may be less likely to make a favourable report.

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[info]ajshepherd
2006-04-24 09:49 pm UTC (link)
Good luck with the interview, bad timing with the rash.

Rash couldn't be stress related in any way?

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[info]dougs
2006-04-24 09:53 pm UTC (link)
Stress suppresses the immune system. Shingles arises when a dormant VC virus spots that the immune system is asleep. So ... yes.

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[info]abigail_42
2006-04-25 07:10 am UTC (link)
Just agreeing with everyone else really, but you haven't mentioned if you've ruled out meningitis by doing the glass test?
By now meningitis should have well and truly knocked you out though....
Echinacea is supposed to boost your immune system - available from all chemists/health food shops. Might help.
Most people do only get chicken pox once, but if your immune system isn't stimulated enough by a good dose of it, or if you are "low" anyway you can get it any number of times - one of our male staff nurses has had it and shingles loads of times!
Just make sure you keep on top of your temperature if you get one and take plenty of paracetamol and brufen and don't wrap up warm!
Get well soon - good luck with spreading it around.
If they ask just lie and say it's eczema or something - they are not likely to be experts on diagnosing rashes, even our dermatology doctors get it wrong sometimes!

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[info]ex_the_major316
2006-04-25 08:15 am UTC (link)
>>good luck with spreading it around

Just don't spread it around near here!!! :O

Good luck today :)

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[info]hddod
2006-04-25 10:28 am UTC (link)
Oh no -- there seems to be a lot of it around at the moment, I know at least two small children and one other adult who've had chicken pox in the last month or so.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

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(Anonymous)
2006-04-25 10:43 am UTC (link)
Get to a Doctor and get Acyclovir as soon as you can. I've seen Chicken Pox without it on a 30 year old (my M) and it was possibly the most horrible thing ever.

I had it a few weeks later and was better (with the drugs) inside of a week.

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[info]beermat
2006-04-25 11:16 am UTC (link)
best of luck at the Embassy!

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[info]pinkdormouse
2006-04-25 07:21 pm UTC (link)
Good luck!

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