Week 3 Shingles

[Dee]

Well week three of the dam shingles it has been really hard and painful. However on a good note went to a concert over the weekend and it is really amazing when you are not smoking how much easier it is to enjoy things over 6 hours of music and no need to rush out to smoke made the music so much better. I haven't been around much but I am in hanging in there and hoping to feel like a human being again soon....... But wanted to share a good non smoker experience. :)

[Reciprocity]

Great news. Keep it up and I hope your shingles issue is done soon!

[Doreensfree]

Sorry the shingles are still hanging around ..how awful...wishing you relief soon sweetheart...

But good news you have been out and about...and you could enjoy the concert ..without thinking when you can get another fix..well done xxx

[Stewie]

Wtf is a shingle? I mean it. Sound nasty though, so get better lad!

[Dee]

Anyone that has had the chicken pox carries the virus so it is a nasty virus that travels up the nerves on one side of your body. You get headaches then break out with a lovely blistering rash which burns like crazy...... I only knew of shingles by the commercials for the vaccine. Which normally after 60 they really recommend. However I have met many people under 50 that have had the horrible pleasure. It can take months sometimes for it to heal....no sun no swimming managing work barley but being optimistic. Dr. assured me being young and healthy should be back to myself 2 months tops........the pain usually requires nerve blockers (thankfully I didn't need) serious pain killers which I did have to resort to to sleep antivirals, and Luckily mine is not all over my head eyes or chest .  No fun.

[Stewie]

That sucks. I hope you get better!  ;)

[Doreensfree]

Sounds really nasty Dee...wishing you speedy recovery .xx

[PeaceTrain]

I sure hope it's on the way out, Dee.  

Best,

PT

[Valerie gee]

Hello I am 30 also had a episode of shingles E.R doctor said I could have gotten shingles from quitting smoking cold turkey after smoking so much, I had a question did you also get them from quitting smoking?

[jillar]

Welcome Valerie and congratulations on taking back your freedom! As far as getting shingles from quitting is concerned I find this highly unlikely because shingles is from the chicken pox virus. I do know that shingles is sometimes brought on by stress so since quitting can be stressful then technically that s correct. 

These are very stressful times for everyone and not just quitters so if stress from quitting did contribute to you getting them it's still worth it in the end to be free from smoking, trust me on this!

[Mee]

Welcome Valerie.  I did not get shingles when I quit but have had them before  They are miserable.  I finally got the shot to prevent them.  Shingles come from stress and quitting smoking is stressful.  I can tell you quitting is the best decision you can make and I promise life will get better.  Hang around and get to know us all.  We would love to help guide on your quitting journey!

[Reciprocity]

No shingles here from quitting but Mee's explanation sounds reasonable to me in terms of increased anxiety during the early days of quitting?

I hope you get over that sh*t quickly cuz I understand it's not at all pleasant. I also hope you decide to hang around to quit smoking. Lots of support and information available to you here  

Edited July 10, 2020 by reciprocity

[Doreensfree]

Welcome aboard ....

No Shingles here neither ....

Our bodies go through massive changes when we quit .....everyone if different ...

 It's all temporary ....hoping you will soon feel much better ....

Read all the information here ....it will make your quit much stronger ....

[Sazerac]

It is highly unlikely that quitting smoking has caused shingles

 

It is very rare that the two are related in any way.

 

Quitting smoking is not to blame for much of anything except giving you a whole new life.

 

Any discomfort that quitting is directly responsible for is short lived and very manageable.

 

Here are some resources that address health issues while quitting

 

Life Goes On Without Smoking

 

 

[NADA]

In my numerous failed quit attempts I was always fishing for a medical excuse to start smoking again.  Things like: higher anxiety, worsening breathing problems, more sore throats, etc.  Even if these things truly are associated with quitting, they are temporary and minor compared with the real, scientifically proven, deadly diseases that are caused by smoking. Coronary heart disease, stroke, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and cancer are just some of the proven killers that are in fact associated with smoking. The unsubstantiated theory that quitting may cause shingles is greatly offset by the true link between smoking and deadly diseases.  

Our junkie brains often look for an excuse to ditch the quit.  It's time to focus on the truth.  Smoking equals death.

Here are some statistics from the CDC:

 

Estimates show smoking increases the risk:

For coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times

For stroke by 2 to 4 times

Of men developing lung cancer by 25 times

Of women developing lung cancer by 25.7 times

[MimsBird]

On 7/31/2017 at 5:47 AM, Dee said:

In response to the following, I just wanted to say I quit vaping on 15 October. I used patches for a month. Then as soon as I stopped using the patches regularly, I got my first case of real shingles. It’s just single file blisters in an almost perfect line running along what I’m assuming to be is the spinal accessory nerve on my left side on my back. It’s a perfect row of tiny blisters, a couple are bigger than the others, running from my shoulder area down to the middle of my back. I mean, this is a stressful time of year with the election and all and I’m sure I had some pent-up tension with that, but I can’t help but think it coincides with nicotine withdrawal since I’ve been vaping constantly for several years now. 
 

Responding to:

Well week three of the dam shingles it has been really hard and painful. However on a good note went to a concert over the weekend and it is really amazing when you are not smoking how much easier it is to enjoy things over 6 hours of music and no need to rush out to smoke made the music so much better. I haven't been around much but I am in hanging in there and hoping to feel like a human being again soon....... But wanted to share a good non smoker experience.

 

[Randy McMurder]

On 7/9/2020 at 1:48 PM, Valerie gee said:

Hello I am 30 also had a episode of shingles E.R doctor said I could have gotten shingles from quitting smoking cold turkey after smoking so much, I had a question did you also get them from quitting smoking?

You’d better believe it. I ended up with shingles and multiple other neurological consequences after I quit smoking cold turkey. I had some external shingles on my neck and right inner arm, but I also had some internal shingles on my right side just below the ribs. I thought I was going to die from liver failure or something. Fortunately it has all cleared up since then. Lasted a few months. 
 

 

[Randy McMurder]

On 7/10/2020 at 3:19 AM, Sazerac said:

It is highly unlikely that quitting smoking has caused shingles

 

It is very rare that the two are related in any way.

 

Quitting smoking is not to blame for much of anything except giving you a whole new life.

 

Any discomfort that quitting is directly responsible for is short lived and very manageable.

 

Here are some resources that address health issues while quitting

 

Life Goes On Without Smoking

 

 

What is your source? There is plenty of evidence to disprove your claim. Knowing how nicotine affects our central nervous system, how could you so boldly claim such a thing? People are ending up in this thread because they are experiencing the same issue and they need encouragement.
 

Quitting smoking cold turkey most definitely causes shingles outbreaks in some people. For those of you struggling or maybe considering giving up, don’t worry, it will pass. You are merely undoing some damage. you can do this. My shingles lasted about two months. Some were external and some were internal. It’s perfectly normal and you will be feeling more youthful in no time!

[QuittingGirl]

Ok, Hi @Randy McMurder are you saying that quitting smoking causes shingles?  I definitely disagree with you! I had shingles March 18, 2018 and I was a full smoker back then!! Pack a day!!  Quitting smoking DOES NOT CAUSE SHINGLES!!! Quitting smoking may cause ppl to be very upset, very on edge, and have mental issues, as it's really difficult to quit,  but it DOES NOT cause shingles!! The Shingles is caused  when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivates in the body after a person has had chickenpox. The VZV is the same virus that causes chickenpox.  So, if you had Chickenpox as a kid, the virus lays dormant in your body for decades, and when you get older it manifests and can become Shingles!! So please DO NOT spread misinformation!!!  And, I know many people who never smoked that has gotten shingles.  My advice to you since Shingles can come back even after you got it once, twice or many other times, go and get the Shingrix vaccine.  It's a 2 part vaccine. Speak with your doctor!   So, I am not going to argue with you, but I know what I know about this virus!! And, I am sure my friends on this forum will believe me! 
 

[Doreensfree]

I too thought shingles was linked to the Chickpox virus , 

My Brother in Law  suffered with it , he never smoked at all .

I would say QG has the right information

Are you still Quit @Randy McMurder

 

Edited Sunday at 09:21 PM by Doreensfree

[Randy McMurder]

1 hour ago, QuittingGirl said:

Ok, Hi @Randy McMurder are you saying that quitting smoking causes shingles?  I definitely disagree with you! I had shingles March 18, 2018 and I was a full smoker back then!! Pack a day!!  Quitting smoking DOES NOT CAUSE SHINGLES!!! Quitting smoking may cause ppl to be very upset, very on edge, and have mental issues, as it's really difficult to quit,  but it DOES NOT cause shingles!! The Shingles is caused  when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivates in the body after a person has had chickenpox. The VZV is the same virus that causes chickenpox.  So, if you had Chickenpox as a kid, the virus lays dormant in your body for decades, and when you get older it manifests and can become Shingles!! So please DO NOT spread misinformation!!!  And, I know many people who never smoked that has gotten shingles.  My advice to you since Shingles can come back even after you got it once, twice or many other times, go and get the Shingrix vaccine.  It's a 2 part vaccine. Speak with your doctor!   So, I am not going to argue with you, but I know what I know about this virus!! And, I am sure my friends on this forum will believe me! 
 

You have much more research to do. Yes, after chicken pox infection, the virus lays dormant in your body, within the nerves. However, it isn’t simply “manifest” after you “get older”. It’s triggered by stress, sleep disruption, depression and a number of additional symptoms experienced by a smoker going cold turkey. Denying this occurrence, which has been published in medical journals, is counter-productive in understanding our bodies and the effects of various substances as well as serving as a detriment to our road to recovery. 
 

Please do more research. It’s not a coincidence that so many people develop shingles after quitting cold turkey. Physical dependency plays hell on our nervous system.

[Randy McMurder]

2 hours ago, Doreensfree said:

I too thought shingles was linked to the Chickpox virus , 

My Brother in Law  suffered with it , he never smoked at all .

I would say QG has the right information

Are you still Quit @Randy McMurder

 

Shingles can be activated by a number of things, many of which are symptoms of quitting cigarettes cold turkey. I never claimed that all cases of shingles were related to smoking. I stated that the effects of quitting smoking cold turkey can definitely does reactivate the virus in some individuals. 
 

My information is directly from peer reviewed data in medical journals. I cannot say the same for QG.

 

Yes, I’m still hanging tough and have not cheated at all since I quit in May of last year. 

[QuittingGirl]

2 hours ago, Randy McMurder said:

You have much more research to do. Yes, after chicken pox infection, the virus lays dormant in your body, within the nerves. However, it isn’t simply “manifest” after you “get older”. It’s triggered by stress, sleep disruption, depression and a number of additional symptoms experienced by a smoker going cold turkey. Denying this occurrence, which has been published in medical journals, is counter-productive in understanding our bodies and the effects of various substances as well as serving as a detriment to our road to recovery. 
 

Please do more research. It’s not a coincidence that so many people develop shingles after quitting cold turkey. Physical dependency plays hell on our nervous system.

 

 

Don't tell me that I have research to do!  I had shingles back in 2018 and I smoked back then.  Yes, it comes from stress, and other things.  I know that!!   I know the virus lays dormant in our bodies if we had chicken pox decades ago.  Shingles comes from many things, not only stress.  I even know younger people who were in their 20s and 30s that had shingles who didn't smoke.  

 

What did you come on this forum for?  Do you need help/advice from us because you quit smoking, or are you looking to start trouble?

[DenaliBlues]

4 hours ago, Randy McMurder said:

so many people develop shingles after quitting cold turkey

“So many?” What peer-reviewed clinical study has measured the incidence of shingles specifically during smoking cessation? Please quantify “so many” and provide your research citation, so that we all can learn from the science. 

 

I am very sorry for everyone who has suffered from shingles. It must be especially tough to go through that when quitting. My sympathies to everyone who has endured it. 

But what causes reactivation of the virus is a compromised immune system. Many factors can impede our bodies’ immune responses. Stress from quitting… OR stress from a tough job… OR family situations… OR a hundred other things. 

 

Quitting Girl’s observation that age gradually weakens our immunity and makes us more vulnerable is fact-based:

 

 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4928389/

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-causes-shingles-to-activate

 

At the end of the day, I think the most important thing to take away from this thread is that sometimes life hands us double whammys. Unexpected illnesss. Deaths in the family. Relationship woes or money troubles. All of these things can really challenge a quit. It surely sucks when that happens. But what counts the most is how we’re able to persevere, KTQ and help each other out along the way.

[Reciprocity]

If anyone's concerned that increased stress levels from quitting smoking may help initiate a shingles outbreak, they should get the shringrex vaccine before quitting; problem solved!

 

 

Edited Monday at 12:02 PM by Reciprocity