Shingles Bell
Have you been wondering what kind of illness I got when you witnessing the blue status on my FB profile?
I had Shingles. Not a fancy name of a new handbag or new makeup products or a fashion trend.
Shingles shared the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you get chickenpox before, you are more likely to get Shingles. The virus remains remains inactive in our nervous system after we recovered from chickenpox but it may become reactivated again later in life when our we are under stress or weak immune system.
In short, Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the area of skin around it. Chinese crowned this illness with a more sophisticated title, "Snake".
Back in ancient time, we even believe shingles/snake is caused by a devilish "snake spirit" due to the shape of the rashes and blisters around the skin.
This will give you the sightless idea what I'm talking about and how serious it will get. (Pic taken from DailyMail.co.uk.)
Seems familiar? I have gooses bump already.
Perhaps many of us (M'sians Chinese) are ignorant. We always thought it's ok to have chickenpox, it's a process of life, everyone will get that once in his/her life.
We are ignorant. "Snake" often perceived as a common sickness among Chinese community. When you get it (unfortunaely), all you need to do is looking for traditional treatment. Once you have someone "catches" or "draws" on the "snake", you'll be fine.
Wait a minute.
Has anyone ever think about getting a vaccine? You next possible question might be: is there any vaccine? Yup, there is. Just like a vaccine for Chickenpox.
I can say out loud and firm, Shingles is painful.
I lost appetite, had constant headache, nausea sensation and feeling drowsy for about two weeks. I even thought I might be pregnant.
Until one day, when I got up and looked at the mirror...
AHHHHHH.... AHHHHH....
There were bumps and rashes under my right eye. It showed no signs, just happened overnight.
I thought something bite me, maybe mites or fleas. I hate guessing, so I turned to a doctor on the next day.
ZoomCare, branch at Pearl District.
I was diagnosed with Shingles. The young female doctor told me I could be blind. The virus can affect or destroy my eye sight if leave untreated; because the infection area is so close to my eye :'(
But i should be fine in a week time when the medicine kicks in and start battling with the virus.
Steroid, a week treatment.
Zyrtec, medicine to relieve allergic symptoms. The doc said the infection area might be allergic reaction, better be safe than sorry @.@
After two days of the treatment...
The bumps are gone and the rashes appeared to be less obvious. But the area still darn itchy!!!
However, I felt like a drug addict. The steroid made me hard to focus while driving. I can't think of anything in the class, my mind went blank for no reasons. My hands were shivering and my heart was pounding super fast. For the first time, I felt like my body does not belong to me. :'(
Unfortunately, Chean was in L.A.. I told him the medicine works, but I think my body can't take it anymore.
Then, I cried.
Feeling helpless and frustrating. Not because of my face, but the feeling of losing myself.
So, I decided to stop taking steroid on the 5th day without consulting the doc. Bad thing happened. Another bump "popped" on my other eye. Guess I really have no choice, I consumed the steroid again.
At the same time, Chean's mum "post laju" me traditional treatment from M'sia. A solution and pills that are made of traditional herbs (I finished the medicine, sorry no photos were taken).
I started taking the traditional treatment as soon as I finished the steroid.
The infection area was under controlled.
After two weeks...
Viola... ❤❤
I not only get my face back, but myself too~~
Lessons for me:
1) Go and get a chickenpox vaccine if you never had that before. No chickenpox, no Shingles.
2) Get a Shingles vaccine if you are older than 60.
3) Western medicine heals, but it harms our body at the same time too. So, get rid of Panadol or Tylenol if possible. Don't over rely on medicine.
4) On the other hand, traditional treatment and medicine work too but time consuming. Result may only be seen in a long period of time.
5) Most importantly, establish a healthy life style. Eat healthy and don't stress out yourself too much.
Lastly, a big thank you and big kisses to Chean's mum (the best mother-in-law ever), to my family, to Chean, and to all the comforts and concerns from you guys.
Because of all of you, I see rainbow even during difficult time.
Always love you,
Bev
Coming Up Next:
Beverly's makeup tutorial is back! You need to read this before head out for shopping this weekend~~ See ya~~
I had Shingles. Not a fancy name of a new handbag or new makeup products or a fashion trend.
Shingles shared the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you get chickenpox before, you are more likely to get Shingles. The virus remains remains inactive in our nervous system after we recovered from chickenpox but it may become reactivated again later in life when our we are under stress or weak immune system.
In short, Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the area of skin around it. Chinese crowned this illness with a more sophisticated title, "Snake".
Back in ancient time, we even believe shingles/snake is caused by a devilish "snake spirit" due to the shape of the rashes and blisters around the skin.
This will give you the sightless idea what I'm talking about and how serious it will get. (Pic taken from DailyMail.co.uk.)
Seems familiar? I have gooses bump already.
Perhaps many of us (M'sians Chinese) are ignorant. We always thought it's ok to have chickenpox, it's a process of life, everyone will get that once in his/her life.
We are ignorant. "Snake" often perceived as a common sickness among Chinese community. When you get it (unfortunaely), all you need to do is looking for traditional treatment. Once you have someone "catches" or "draws" on the "snake", you'll be fine.
Wait a minute.
Has anyone ever think about getting a vaccine? You next possible question might be: is there any vaccine? Yup, there is. Just like a vaccine for Chickenpox.
I can say out loud and firm, Shingles is painful.
I lost appetite, had constant headache, nausea sensation and feeling drowsy for about two weeks. I even thought I might be pregnant.
Until one day, when I got up and looked at the mirror...
AHHHHHH.... AHHHHH....
There were bumps and rashes under my right eye. It showed no signs, just happened overnight.
I thought something bite me, maybe mites or fleas. I hate guessing, so I turned to a doctor on the next day.
ZoomCare, branch at Pearl District.
I was diagnosed with Shingles. The young female doctor told me I could be blind. The virus can affect or destroy my eye sight if leave untreated; because the infection area is so close to my eye :'(
But i should be fine in a week time when the medicine kicks in and start battling with the virus.
Steroid, a week treatment.
Zyrtec, medicine to relieve allergic symptoms. The doc said the infection area might be allergic reaction, better be safe than sorry @.@
After two days of the treatment...
The bumps are gone and the rashes appeared to be less obvious. But the area still darn itchy!!!
However, I felt like a drug addict. The steroid made me hard to focus while driving. I can't think of anything in the class, my mind went blank for no reasons. My hands were shivering and my heart was pounding super fast. For the first time, I felt like my body does not belong to me. :'(
Unfortunately, Chean was in L.A.. I told him the medicine works, but I think my body can't take it anymore.
Then, I cried.
Feeling helpless and frustrating. Not because of my face, but the feeling of losing myself.
So, I decided to stop taking steroid on the 5th day without consulting the doc. Bad thing happened. Another bump "popped" on my other eye. Guess I really have no choice, I consumed the steroid again.
At the same time, Chean's mum "post laju" me traditional treatment from M'sia. A solution and pills that are made of traditional herbs (I finished the medicine, sorry no photos were taken).
I started taking the traditional treatment as soon as I finished the steroid.
The infection area was under controlled.
After two weeks...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Viola... ❤❤
I not only get my face back, but myself too~~
Lessons for me:
1) Go and get a chickenpox vaccine if you never had that before. No chickenpox, no Shingles.
2) Get a Shingles vaccine if you are older than 60.
3) Western medicine heals, but it harms our body at the same time too. So, get rid of Panadol or Tylenol if possible. Don't over rely on medicine.
4) On the other hand, traditional treatment and medicine work too but time consuming. Result may only be seen in a long period of time.
5) Most importantly, establish a healthy life style. Eat healthy and don't stress out yourself too much.
Lastly, a big thank you and big kisses to Chean's mum (the best mother-in-law ever), to my family, to Chean, and to all the comforts and concerns from you guys.
Because of all of you, I see rainbow even during difficult time.
Always love you,
Bev
Coming Up Next:
Beverly's makeup tutorial is back! You need to read this before head out for shopping this weekend~~ See ya~~