Doug PollardShingle Bells, Shingle Bells
Yup, that's what I've been ringing this past week, as a bout of shingles laid me low. I managed to do the radio show OK before it hit (oh so THAT'S why I've been feeling so shitty) but almost everything else fell by the wayside, including this update about the programme.
Apologies - normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
Tired, through lack of sleep, uncomfortable and hurting in patches - easier to lie down or stand than sit because of the outbreaks along my spine and one side.
Frontline bulletin: Oxycodone is an effective pain releif. Doesn't take it away, just makes you care a lot less and lets you doze off from time to time. The downside is quite vivid dreams.
BUT - I have made a completely counter-intuitive discovery that is helping a lot.
I was reading about shingles on the net and one 'natural healing' site recommended eating herbs etc. with anti-viral properties, including garlic, chili etc..
Now lurking in my medicine cabinet is a chili-based cream I bought some time ago because it was recommended to me for joint pain - bit like Deep Heat.
Anyway, I put two and two together and, with some trepidation, tried the cream on a small patch of the sores. Instead of a burning sensation, it 'froze' and numbed. I promptly spread it on all the blistered areas. When it started to wear off, I used more.
On the second day my partner came into the bathroom while I was doing it and remarked that the blistered patches were shrinking and drying up.
However, the cream doesn't do anything for the nerve pain and tenderness in areas where there is (as yet) no surface outbreak.
So, I'm managing. Found the pyjamas I wore last time I was in hospital and am wearing them all day, for comfort - can't have anything with a tight waist because that's where the main outbreak is. (Note: "waist" refers to a purely notional location about a third of the way up my trunk, where it would be if I had one.) I am watching old episodes of Dr Who and The Goodies on my laptop while lounging like some mythical oriental potentate.
I have asked my tech producer if he can install a chaise longue in the studio for Thursday so I can bring you the show in comfort.
Doug
