What Shingles Felt Like Before I Knew It Was Shingles

When I first had shingles, I had no idea how serious it could become.

At first, it was just an itchy spot on my skin. Then small red blisters started to appear.

The rash was on the left side of my buttock, so I thought it was just some strange skin irritation or a minor skin problem. I never imagined it could be shingles.

Looking back, that was the most important moment.

I did not know that early treatment for shingles could matter so much. Because I did not recognize the symptoms and did not respond quickly enough, I ended up dealing with shingles recurrence and post-shingles nerve pain for years.

This is not a medical diagnosis or treatment guide. This is my personal experience.

But if you have itching, blisters, or sharp nerve-like pain on only one side of your body, please do not ignore it. See a doctor as soon as possible.

Shingles Started During a Time of Overwork and Stress

I was in my late 30s when it happened.

At that time, I was working at a health supplement startup. The workload was heavy, and I was under a lot of stress.

I felt tired all the time, but I thought it was just because I was busy.

Then one day, the middle area of my left buttock started to itch.

At first, I thought maybe I had been bitten by an insect or had a simple skin rash. A little later, small red blisters appeared.

I had no idea that this could be an early symptom of shingles.

Because it was itchy, I scratched it. Eventually, the skin became irritated and worse.

The First Dermatology Clinic Did Not Recognize It as Shingles

As the skin became worse, I went to a dermatology clinic.

The clinic I visited was also connected with a cosmetic surgery clinic. They did not immediately tell me it was shingles.

At that time, I also thought, "Maybe I just have some weird skin disease."

The clinic applied ointment and covered the area with a bandage.

Now I often wonder what would have happened if I had received antiviral medication right away.

That is the part I regret the most.

I already had a trip planned, so I went on the trip as scheduled.

The Rash Seemed Better, Then Spread With Pain

At first, it seemed to get a little better.

But the blisters and itching never completely disappeared.

Instead, the rash seemed to spread sideways. Then pain started to appear.

It felt different from a simple skin rash.

It was not just itching. I felt a sharp, tingling pain under the skin.

A few days later, I went to a pain clinic. That was when I was finally told that it was shingles.

The doctor explained that shingles used to be seen more often in older adults when their immune system became weaker. But these days, younger people can also get shingles, especially when they are under severe stress, overworked, or sleep-deprived.

Only then did I connect the symptoms with my exhaustion and stress.

I Was Eventually Hospitalized

The doctor said too much time had already passed without proper treatment, and I was eventually hospitalized.

I took antiviral medication every day. I received injections. I also received IV fluids every day to help support my recovery.

Even then, the shingles did not heal easily.

At first, the rash was on the left side of my buttock. Then it spread upward toward the left side of my waist.

The blisters were uncomfortable, but the pain was the hardest part.

It felt like a knife stabbing my skin. Sometimes it felt like burning under the skin. Sometimes it felt as if the nerves were reacting too sensitively.

During that hospitalization, the clinic recommended expensive tests, including cancer-related immune testing. They also suggested an injection that they described as something used in cancer treatment.

One injection cost around 200,000 Korean won, and the full package would have cost several million won.

I was worried about my body, but the cost was too high. Also, the way cancer was mentioned made me uncomfortable. I started to feel that something was not right, so I decided to leave the hospital.

The First Shingles Episode Healed, But the Real Problem Came Later

After leaving the hospital, I tried not to stress too much. I also tried not to overwork.

Eventually, the first shingles outbreak healed.

But the real problem came later.

Whenever I became tired, stressed, or sleep-deprived, the same area became sensitive again.

Over the next eight years, I experienced similar symptoms more than ten times.

The shingles kept coming back.

In my case, my body also seemed to react when I ate a lot of carbohydrates, sugar, fried foods, or foods cooked with large amounts of vegetable oil.

I would feel a sharp, stabbing pain on the left side of my buttock and thigh.

This is the post-shingles nerve pain I still deal with.

The blisters disappeared, but the nerve pain remained.

Even years later, when my body is in poor condition or when I eat foods that do not suit me, pain can come back in the same area.

Why I Became More Careful With My Diet

Because of this, I became much more careful about what I eat.

I try to follow a healthier diet, but I also realized that "healthy" can mean different things for different people.

Some foods may be fine for someone else, but they can trigger discomfort or pain in my body.

For me, foods high in flour, sugar, refined carbohydrates, fried oils, or vegetable oils can make my body react quickly.

So I do not manage my diet only to lose weight.

I manage my diet because I want to reduce pain and feel more stable in my body.

When I eat in a way that suits me, my head also feels clearer.

But honestly, I love eating too much, so I cannot say the weight always comes off easily.

Early Shingles Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

The most important thing I want to say is this:

Shingles needs early attention.

If you have the following symptoms, especially on only one side of your body, it may be worth considering shingles and seeing a doctor quickly.

• You have been overworked recently.
• You have been under severe stress.
• You have not been sleeping well.
• You have not slept more than seven hours for several days.
• You feel itching on only one side of your body.
• Small blisters appear on one side.
• The skin feels sharp, tingling, burning, or stabbing.
• The rash seems to keep spreading.

If you think it is just a simple skin problem and wait too long, you may miss the right time for early treatment.

If you have blisters and pain on only one side of your body, I personally think it is worth seeing not only a dermatologist, but also an internal medicine doctor or a pain specialist.

Do Not Miss the First 72 Hours of Shingles

The part I regret the most is missing the first 72 hours.

If I had suspected shingles when the first blisters and itching appeared, and if I had gone to the right doctor earlier, maybe I would not have suffered for so long.

Shingles is often treated with antiviral medication in the early stage.

Of course, only a doctor can diagnose shingles and prescribe the right treatment.

But if you suspect shingles, do not just wait. Do not only search online. Do not assume it is only a strange skin rash.

Go see a doctor as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

I did not know what shingles was, and I underestimated it.

At first, I thought it was just itching and a few blisters. I went on a trip. I missed the right time to receive proper treatment.

As a result, even years later, I still live with post-shingles nerve pain on the left side of my buttock and thigh.

If you are reading this and you have recently been very tired, stressed, or sleep-deprived, and you suddenly develop itchy blisters or sharp tingling pain on only one side of your body, please take it seriously.

Shingles was not something I should have waited out.

Recognizing it early and getting proper medical care quickly can make a big difference.

I hope you do not regret it the way I did.

Disclaimer: This post is based on my personal experience and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you suspect shingles or have concerning symptoms, please consult a healthcare professional.