Hi,
I'm looking for advice in 2 areas: shingles and maintaining sanity. My Dh was diagnosed with shingles 3 weeks ago. The pain started 4 weeks ago and was first diagnosed as pulled intercostal (?) muscles. He was on lots of pain meds and is now on lesser doses but he is still in a lot of pain. The blisters have subsided a bit but he still has them and a red rash. His main complaint is the constant pain, like a cross between a bad sunburn and a constant needle jabbing pain. To top it off our 5 yr old was diagnosed today with strep and Dh probably has it too so now he is on even more meds. He is miserable and I'm worried that this may turn into a long term debilitating thing. Does anyone have advice/experience with the longer form of shingles?
Now for the sanity part. I can't do anything for him. I can't touch him. He doesn't like noise. He is always hot or cold. He can't sleep. Our active, rambunctious 3 and 5 yr old boys are bothering him. He really tries to listen to them but they can't touch him or even sit on the bed with him. I've slept in the guest room for a month now. I've spent tons of time out of the house with the boys but they still need to come home at night and we can only eat at McDonald's for so long. We've slept at my parents house so DH could rest. I even had the boys talk to him from my cellphone while I'm driving us around so they get Daddy time. How else can I manage this life? Any advice would be appreciated. Cindy
ps I'm dreading tomorrow because I can't even escape to the local mall with a germy strep laden/sinus infected/snot dripping 5 yr old.