This discussion is about the experiences of people with ostomies who have had shingles, how it affected them, and any tips they might have for dealing with the infection.

- One person is currently taking 1,000 mg of Valtrex (valacyclovir) and using cold compresses and calamine lotion to help with the tingling and itching. They chose not to take gabapentin due to side effects and are using Aleve (naproxen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain relief.

- For antiviral and prescription options, a common treatment includes Acyclovir (Zovirax), Gabapentin (Neurontin), and a short course of Prednisone. However, some people prefer over-the-counter NSAIDs or acetaminophen due to side effects like weight gain, irritability, and anxiety from Prednisone and Gabapentin.

- To ease discomfort, cool or cold compresses and elevating limbs can help with burning and itching. Calamine lotion is also useful for calming tingling and itching.

- Blisters under an ostomy wafer can cause issues with appliance adhesion. In some cases, the only solution is to wait for the skin to heal, which might take several months.

- Many people with ileostomies and colostomies have received the shingles vaccine without side effects and recommend it. Some regret not getting vaccinated after developing shingles and plan to get the vaccine after treatment.

- The community generally agrees that the shingles vaccine is safe, with no adverse events reported by those who have been vaccinated.

- For those interested in natural or alternative approaches, a website is suggested for further research.

- High stress is often linked to shingles outbreaks and other autoimmune issues. Techniques like "tapping" (EFT) are recommended to help manage stress. While recurrences of shingles can happen, they are often milder than the initial episode.