Just for comic relief from mom's "I have something like leprosy" routine, my poor husband has come down with shingles on his backside. He's on an antiviral and pain meds and I'm slathering his butt with antibacterial/benzocaine cream, both to prevent secondary infection of the blisters and to ease the pain. Any and all suggestions are happily accepted. Happy 4th of July!
The staff gloved, gowned and masked and provided PT and OT in his room. I don't recall though what creams or meds they used on his back. When he was discharged, at home I put on prescription lidocaine patches. I also don't recall how often they were changed, but they did solve the problem. And despite a lot of stresses since then, the shingles haven't recurred, nor have I contracted them.
This was also the one time I agreed to have him take Buspar, which did help ease the transition from rehab to home, after about 7 months of living in medical facilities.
The only suggestion I can make is extra attention, extra TLC, and perhaps something really, really very soft and comfortable as a cushion to help protect his skin from any abrasions or friction when he sits and moves around.
Is he able to get sick time off or does he still have to make an appearance at wherever he works? I certainly hope he can recover at home.
I am so sorry for your husband; shingles are painful and challenging enough to deal with without being located in a position that could prevent him from sitting comfortably.
My best wishes are extended to both of you for a quick recovery and no repeat of this episode.
His shingles were on his upper and middle back. T
Now I'm wondering if the Wonder Gel cushions could be used for someone who's so thin that there is no padding at all. It might ease the discomfort of sitting.
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