Shingles.....?

Question

My mom recently was diagnosed with shingles after an endoscopy and some blood testing was done. Now she has a lump in her throat slightle above her collar bone. Any ideas as to what this might be??

Answer 1

Shingles causes a painful rash of small blisters that typically appear on the body, often in a band on the chest and back. The virus that causes shingles is called varicella zoster. This is the virus that causes chickenpox.

After having chickenpox, the varicella virus lies dormant in the spinal cord. If the virus reactivates in the spinal cord it causes shingles.

Shingles can affect adults and children, but is much more common in older people. It can not be triggered by contact with someone who has chickenpox.

Reactivation of the virus is more common in elderly people whose immune system is weakened. There are various possible causes of this:

conditions that affect the immune system, including HIV infection
periods of increased stress
excess alcohol intake
long term courses of steroids
chemotherapy or radiotherapy - cancer treatments
medicines used after organ transplants (immunosuppressants)

Symptoms
The first symptom of shingles is often over-sensitivity or burning sensation on the skin in the affected area. After a few days, a rash develops. It usually appears as a band, following the route of a nerve under the skin.

At first, the rash consists of small red spots and reddened skin in the same area. The spots then turn into small blisters, which dry up after a few days, and gradually form scabs. Once the scabs have fallen off, a small pock-mark may be left.

Shingles is often a painful condition. As the virus affects the nerves, the pain may continue after the rash has cleared, sometimes lingering for weeks, months or even years. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia. It is more likely in older people and in people who had a severe rash.

Possible complications
Complications are more likely in people who have a weakened immune system.

Shingles can affect the face near the eye. If this happens an ophthalmologist (specialist eye doctor) should be consulted because the surface of the eye can be scarred, which can damage vision.

Shingles can also affect the ear, causing earache, dizziness, deafness and paralysis in the face. This is called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Pain usually improves after about 48 hours, but occasionally hearing can be permanently impaired.

Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) is a very rare complication of shingles. Symptoms can include high fever and confusion.

Shingles during pregnancy can be serious. Pregnant women who get chickenpox or shingles have a higher than normal risk of developing pneumonia. In rare cases, an unborn child exposed to varicella zoster can be damaged or may be miscarried. However this is less likely with shingles than chickenpox.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I had Shingles for the first time a few weeks ago. I am normally in good health and haven't had any other health challenges before, so it came as a surprise.

Shingles is probably the most painful thing I have ever encountered. I went to the doctor, and he gave me some prescription drugs to take that was suposed to help, but didn't.

My wife found the Fast Shingles Cure ebook online and bought it for me, I am very lucky to have such a wonderful woman in my life. We followed the book, did what it said, and it delivered what it promised. Finally my Shingles rash is over... I feel truly blessed and thankful.

The #1 Shingles Treatment Method Available

Answer 4

I have had shingles which was a very painful thing indeed. I know it is painful and accompanied by a rash, usually a band of spots around the stomach and waist or back. However, it does not sound like this lump is related to the actual shingles, but is a separate issue. Hopefully the lump is just a fatty lump that will reduce over time. Is it easy to move the lump around? (small and bumpy) or is it more like a swelling and you can't move it around?

With any lump, the best thing to do would be to go straight to the GP as soon as she can. Hope this is helpful.

Answer 5

Before diagnosing the lump check to see if she has swelling anywhere else. If the lump is not restricting her breathing or eating I would have the doctor follow up on it on your next visit to make sure it's nothing to worry about. Sorry to hear about your mom - it could be very painful especially if the shingles form underneath the skin - I wish you guys the best of luck!

Answer 6

OMG! I'm soo sorry to hear this:( I really wish I could help but I'm not too sure.
try this site.
http://search.about.com/fullsearch.htm?TopNode=%2F&terms=shingles+lump+in+throat&x=10&y=8
about.com is a very intuitive site for SOO many things. Again, I'm sorry to hear that, good luck.

Answer 7

The bump itself could be an enlarged lymph node in the anterior cervical chain. Your mom should have it checked by her physician to determine what has caused it.