OMG - shingles is by far the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. I continue to have post-herpectic neurolgia. My outbreak occurred Christmas of '09. It was across my back, along the bra line, under the insdie of my left arm going down towards my elbow and across my left breast. My doctor prescribed Valtrex, gave me some pain patches and Lyrica. I don't know if the Valtrex helped or not, my outbreak was very bad and I remember crying for three weeks.

My PCP states that the likelihood of getting shingles a second time is not that great. He also said that since I had the shingles I couldn't get the vaccine.

I see the advetising signs at Walgreens all the time offering the vaccine. I am so tempted to go in and get the vaccine. I don't care if I have to pay for it myself -- I don't ever want to experience that kind of pain again.

The post herpetic neurolgia (PHN) is bad, but no where near as bad as the shingles pain. The PHN seems to flare up when I'm under stress.

If you can avoid this horrible outbreak, do so by getting the vaccine.