Replied by Mama to Many from TN on 03/07/2024

Hi Marsh,

I had chicken pox as a child and have been exposed to it several times when my kids and grandkids have had it. I have not had a shingles shot. I have had shingles twice, both unrelated to when I was around those with chicken pox or shingles. The one connection I made to the shingles flares was stress.

Whether stress was what made me vulnerable or a reduced immune response due to stress made me vulnerable, I know not.

But if I was concerned about getting shingles I would do all I could to reduce stress.

• Try to get adequate and good sleep. Melatonin at bedtime may help, and as it has anti-viral properties, it may be preventative to shingles. I take 20mg every night.
• Take Vitamin C - 1000 mg 3-5 times a day (through out the day), unless your bowel cannot tolerate it.
• Vitamin D and Zinc both support immunity.
• Use unprocessed coconut oil in cooking as it is an anti-viral.
• Get a bit of exercise daily if you can. I have been doing indoor walking videos lately - a fun way to get in some cardio.

I hope you are spared! If not though, I did find that a salve with Eucalyptus topically and vitamin C internally helped me a lot when I had shingles.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by susanmaria from buffalo ny on 03/07/2024

For viral infections: lysine 500 mg twice a day plus

iodine 12.5 mg once a day

Take the lysine and iodine until viral symptoms disappear. Then take both iodine and lysine for three additional weeks.

Limit intake of coffee while on the above protocol.

Replied by AB from Atlanta on 03/07/2024

Make sure it is indeed shingles. Shingles is often the first manifestation of an internal malignancy. Not always, but often. How to keep not getting shingles comes to figuring out why she has shingles. Full blood work is a starter. There are specific markers that indicate some serious things are underneath. Ruling out malignancy is the first step. Young people get turbo cancers these days.

Shingles shot for a young person who already has shingles is a recipe for a bigger disaster

So start with blood work Just google what blood markers indicate potential cancer and do the lab work. Keep in mind her doctor must disagree or dismiss, you can do it yourself these days.
Everyone these days must have a stool test for colon cancer, it is cheap March is a colon cancer awareness month, they offer a discount. Do it annually. A family friend, a young mom has recently died, she had stage 4

If your young relative is cleared from malignancies, test her for viruses, citomegalovirus, hpylori, Epstein Barr..

Meantime I’d recommend Cats Claw supplement, L-lysine +high dose vitamin C and Arsenic Album - a homeopathic remedy I learned about here. I get shingles like rash from time to time and I start this protocol and it really works for me. I also add a trace ( not a drop) of antiviral medicinal quality essential oils to a base oil and apply externally. Young living essential oils and Alma ( former Floracopeia) is where I buy directly. Can’t guarantee for other companies. Never buy on Amazon.

Do all blood work before starting the supplements

And check the shingles section here on EC site.

Replied by Marsh from Colorado on 04/29/2024

Thanks "Mama". Your recommendations on board! What's your thought on this: My girlfriend awoke with shingles 3 weeks ago. It's been brutal - excruciting pain along her Trigeminal nerve, 3 ER visits (she's been there since 6am today), Gabapentin, botox injected into her scalp, a host of other scary drugs that have helped for a day or two. I'm wondering if the fillers and botox she injects herself with frequently could be part of the problem, or one of her 3 facelifts. Her painful episodes are enough to almost sign up for Shingrex.

Replied by Mama to Many from TN on 04/30/2024

Hi Marsh,

Wow, that sounds dreadful.

In her shoes I think I would try 1, 000 mg of liposomal vitamin C three times a day. It is much more absorbable than regular C. Sublingual b-12 may be helpful, too.

Does she have Trigeminal Neuralgia? Or it is just that shingles are affecting that nerve? Mullein Root Tincture (Beneficial Botanicals sells it) is a less common herbal remedy but good for pain. It is an anti-inflammatory and has been use for Trigeminal Neuralgia. It is healing to nerves. Shingles affects the nerves. I think it would be worth a try.

I found that Eucalyptus essential oil was helpful for shingles. I would use it topically, with a carrier oil (coconut oil would be a good carrier.) Vicks Vapor rub has a lot of Eucalyptus and would be an option. Hopewell Essential Oils sells a couple of blends for Shingles. (If you create an account you have access to the testimonials on the site which are helpful. This is my favorite source of high quality oils.)

Other things like avoiding dairy and sugar made a difference for my kids with chicken pox, so I wouldn't be surprised if it helped Shingles as well.

Earth Clinic has a lot of information about BHT for viruses; that is something else to look into.

I hope your friend finds something very helpful soon. Let me know how she does.

~Mama to Many~