Shingles: keep an eye out!

[Burgerbob]

This year for my birthday I got Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, or fancy shingles, everyone's favorite flare-up of chicken pox. Don't worry, this isn't a pity post- I am well into recovery thanks to a timely-ish diagnosis and antiviral meds. I just want y'all to be aware of the symptoms and possible outcomes, which are very scary for everyone but especially brass players.

Ramsey Hunt Syndrome is a shingles infection in the facial nerve near an ear. You may recognize it as the same thing that got Diane Feinstein and Justin Bieber very recently. In the worst case, it will make you deaf in one ear and paralyze half of your face. I'm lucky enough that I only lost 50% of the hearing in my right ear, and it may come back in time. You can see how those kinds of results are career-ending, or at the very least career-postponing for someone that needs to hear and use small facial muscles every day.

So, things to look out for so you can be treated as quickly as possible:

1. acne-like stuff around the ear, jaw, mouth, only on one side of the face. Mine started around my ear, a place I've never had acne... but it didn't seem that strange at first blush. It was oddly sensitive and painful.
2. Little pinpricks of pain along the same area. It might feel like you cut yourself shaving, or an ingrown hair. This is nerve pain!
3. a couple days of feeling really low energy, just off... sometimes this comes with a fever. I felt really slow and was getting cold easily, but didn't have a fever.
4. If you let it go long enough, the ance-like stuff will scab over in an unfamiliar way, you may get stabbing ear pain, dizziness, etc. I let mine get to the ear pain and I paid the price.

The earlier you catch this and get a prescription, the better your chances will be at coming through with no long term effects. Of course, the older you are, the heavier this will hit.

Thanks for reading! Be aware of your bodies, and head on over to urgent care if you feel like this is starting up. You won't regret getting diagnosed and treated faster.

[greenbean]

So sorry to hear this, Aidan! And thanks for the warning.

[Posaunus]

Be aware of your bodies, and head on over to urgent care if you feel like this is starting up. You won't regret getting diagnosed and treated faster.

Great recommendation, Aidan. My sympathies. I was gifted a case of shingles more than a decade ago - got to the physician just in time, so the symptoms were somewhat moderated by Acyclovir (there are probably better medications now). Pretty much a full recovery, but I still know where those lesions were (along one side of my head) and shiver at the recollection.

If you are over 50 or otherwise at risk, get the latest Shingrix shingles vaccine (available at your local pharmacy, covered by insurance - two injections, about 30-60 days apart). Supposedly quite effective - wish it had been available before I was afflicted. Shingles is no fun - or worse!

[Oslide]

All my best whishes, Aidan, for a fast and full recovery!

[hyperbolica]

I was diagnosed with chicken pox 3x, but i suspect the 3rd time was something else. Still, i got the 2-shot vaccine. 2nd shot slowed me down for a day, but I'll take that trade any day.

Hope you get better quickly.

[baBposaune]

After I saw this a few months ago I made sure to get the shingles vaccine.

[Burgerbob]

What a great video! I actually didn't realize that's what Joe went through, or that Morandini got bell's palsy around the same time.

[baBposaune]

So glad you posted about your case of Shingles here and on FB. More people need to be aware of the impact this can have on brass players, so thanks for sharing your story.

[spencercarran]

Oof, hope the recovery goes well.

Ramsey Hunt is (historically) quite rare for someone your age. I've also heard a lot more anecdotal reports of shingles in my social circle than seems typical for the ages of the people involved. There's some emerging evidence of higher shingles risk post-covid infection, but I think understanding the full extent of the relationship will take at least a few years.

If you're eligible for the shingles vaccine, definitely get it. If you think you're not, check with your physician and/or local pharmacy; certain underlying conditions do predispose one to higher shingles risk and it might be recommended for you to get the vaccine "early" if you have one of them.

[Doug Elliott]

I got shingles across my upper chest and back, I think it was not long before the pandemic. Fortunately my wife recognized the rash immediately and I was on the antiviral meds within a few hours of when it appeared. I didn't get any pain or itch, caught it in time before any of that even started.

[Dennis]

This year for my birthday I got Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, or fancy shingles, everyone's favorite flare-up of chicken pox. Don't worry, this isn't a pity post- I am well into recovery thanks to a timely-ish diagnosis and antiviral meds. I just want y'all to be aware of the symptoms and possible outcomes, which are very scary for everyone but especially brass players.

Aidan, have they offered you the Shingrix vaccine? My understanding is that a prior bout of shingles places you at elevated risk of a recurrence. If it's offered to you, please take it. If it hasn't been offered to you, ask your physician about it. Health insurance should cover it.

[StephenK]

Thanks for this. I just had a note from my Dr to have a shingles jab, so will be making that call.
Stephen

[boneberg]

Be sure to get the shingles vaccine!

[2bobone]

To hear Joe Alessi and Daniele Morandini have such an open discussion about a subject that could have career ending implications was illuminating. In my years in professional playing it was uncommon to hear about medical difficulties that any other musicians in the orchestra might be experiencing. I would notice men who would dye their hair when grey started to appear [these days a shaved head is the solution]. Prior to a tour, any consultation with the "tour doctor" was a very private and shielded matter. When perception of capability was in consideration, much care was taken to protect your livelihood. Management was always alert to any problems that might affect a musician's ability to deliver 110 %. Serious illness was taken as a personal affront to many conductors. It is to everyone's benefit to openly discuss these matters. It is called reality, something that is in short supply today. Anyone who offers their sincere support to their fellow musicians in those times of need is as much a hero as a friend. Aidan ---- Thanks for starting this thread !

[Burgerbob]

Aidan ---- Thanks for starting this thread !

No problem, it was very cool hearing from Joe as well.

In case anyone was wondering, I am pretty much fine now- I actually played a musical run through the worst of the shingles. I'm still waiting for some of the scabs to heal up, but that will take time. My hearing is not back, but there's a chance it will recover.

[WGWTR180]

Been there!!! Very painful but I was lucky for sure. Zero long term issues.

[Trav1s]

Thanks for starting this discussion!

I had shingles 4 years ago and mine were on the right side at the bottom of my ribs. Unfortunately mine were more advanced before I realized what they were. I'd not wish them on my enemies. Fortunately an antiviral kept them from getting worse and gabapentin helped manage the pain and discomfort but not without side effects. Get the Shingrex shot! Those side effects were bad but not as bad as shingles.

[SubK]

Hope you get well soon, Aidan!! Very good recommendation.

In July 2018, shingles made itself known to me, below the costal arch. Today, five years later, I sit here with post-zoster neuralgia. My recommendation to all of you is. Get vaccinated! I was in constant pain for almost a year. Since then, after playing music intensively, I more often have problems that knock me out for a day.

[Kbiggs]

I had shingles about 15 years ago. It was across my lower back, the upper part of my pelvis, and across my stomach. The best part was getting to wear a bathrobe all day. Just a bathrobe. I had to find a sub for a series of concerts. The orchestra manager said I couldn’t play the concerts wearing a bathrobe.