February 08, 2006

A pox I tell you!

I just got home from the doctor. He tells me that my eyeball itself is okay. However, the facial nerves that control the eyelid appear to be infected. He’s not exactly sure what it is, but one of his theories is that I have… Are you ready? Do you really want to know? Maybe I shouldn’t say. Ah, what the heck.

He thinks I may have Shingles. It’s a variation of the Chickenpox virus. Either that or I have some infection that is focusing on that area. Either way I’m not too thrilled with it. I’m supposed to watch it for the next week and if it spreads, I develop some kind of rash or if it persists, I’m to call him back.

The funny thing is that he came to that conclusion AFTER turning my eye orange checking to make sure it wasn’t damaged. Luckily the color should fade in 2-3 hours. Personally, I think it would be kind of cool to walk around with one eye normal and the conjunctiva of the other eye orange.

Posted by Contagion in Stories about me. at February 8, 2006 01:53 PM | TrackBack
Comments

Leper.

Posted by: Sarah at February 8, 2006 01:59 PM

What have you been sticking in you eye?

Posted by: Dr. Phat Tony at February 8, 2006 02:07 PM

Swweeet. Do you know how rare that is? usually it's a much bigger dermatome.

But ouch, too, you're in for 2 weeks of gooey eyes and pain.... unless it's not shingles.

Yes, I did just teach my path class about shingles last night, why do you ask?

You don't do anything normal, do you?

Posted by: caltechgirl at February 8, 2006 02:24 PM

But then, you are easily amused...

I had an irritation (sty or something) once that drove me utterly batty for a week. When I complained about it, a doctor friend suggested that I get a bottle of eye wash, which helped soothe even if it didn't shorten the length of the problem. This stuff from Collyrium was my favorite - the cap is also an eye cup, so you can't lose it ;-)

Posted by: Barb at February 8, 2006 02:30 PM

mmm.... shingles, possibly. Do you have tiny blisters (pox) that travel in a line along the nerves? These blisters will pop open hence causing the pus to come out causing the infection. I've taken care of many with shingles. One case near the eye but many cases across the stomach or back. OUCH :(

Posted by: Maranda Rites at February 8, 2006 02:33 PM

Cal-tech girl is right....

I will add here....these are HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS if sores are open, watch your kiddies, and the pain I have been told is horrid....

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at February 8, 2006 02:40 PM

My wife had shingles (apparently they come from re-activated chickenpox virus). Had them on her butt. Let me tell you, there were some jokes about my wife, the one with the purple butt. :) Two weeks of pain, not being able to get comfortable in any position, was more than enough for both of us.

Posted by: bigdocmcd at February 8, 2006 03:40 PM

*points and laughs* You have cooties!

Posted by: oddybobo at February 8, 2006 05:46 PM

Just say how much you love the Steelers and I'll put away my voodoo doll.

Posted by: spurs at February 8, 2006 05:57 PM

That's one of the possibilities on my diagnosis also. It started out as an infection in the eyelid and spread throughout the eye socket. Now it's in my sinus's. YIPEE.

HOWEVER - the eyedrops he gave me made a huge difference and I'm on antibotics. My eye looked normal in 2 days.

Let me know - I got an extra bottle of drops. Unopened - unused. I'll share.

Posted by: Tammi at February 8, 2006 06:15 PM

Holy crap! Take care of yourself!

Posted by: Richmond at February 8, 2006 09:07 PM

Ouch! I hope it gets better soon. That has to be miserable!

Posted by: Moogie at February 9, 2006 07:06 AM

What about the blog meet next weekend?

Will you have a diagnoise by next weekend?

Hate to be downer, but if it is shingles are you still going to go?

Posted by: Machelle at February 9, 2006 07:08 AM

I should know by monday if it is shingles. The rash/pox will be visible by then if it is that. If it's not that then it should start to clear up by Wednesday.

If it is something contagious and is still active by next weekend, no I will not be going.

Posted by: Contagion at February 9, 2006 07:21 AM