My Mom catches some "SHINGLES"
I was worried for days as my Mother complained that her back hurts due to " TIKOS" or what is called SHINGLES in English. It suddenly appeared in her back and it was painful that she could not sleep well at night. My Mom is already a senior, 65years old to be exact. That is why I always feel worried every time she is not feeling well. Plus she is a type of person who would choose to stay in bed once sick. She had that thinking " I am sick".
It was just a few weeks ago when I shared here that my Father got mild pneumonia and had to undergo medication for a week. In which I sold some of my BCH to buy some medicines and for his follow up check up. Good thing after a week he's lungs were already cleared. Yet the moment he knows his okay he is back into drinking liquor again. Hayy, Tatay is really a drunkard! There is no hope he will stop.
Then, after a week my Nanay got sick too. Before I forgot, TIKOS is like rashes but a worse as it blisters and you can feel the pain even inside your body. Though rashes were on your skin. I chose not to attach pictures as some might not like it to see but if you want here is the link. It is not really pleasant to the eyes.
What made me think the worst is since my parents are living in a province they believed that it can causes death. How? If you had it in your back example and both ends of the rashes meet. Oh I find it hard to explain. Not only that, my Mother chose to consult a " SURHANO" or let's say a quack Doctor. It is very common in our place. I had been telling her to go to the real Doctor instead but she was so hard headed.
In the end I just let her do what she wanted. The surhano gave her " prescriptions". As you know, the leaves of these plants and that. I've been monitoring her through chat once in a while to check her condition.
Yet after a week of medication as expected it didn't heal. I don't believe in quack doctors. Earlier, I guess it was only 5:30 AM when I woke because my phone rang. My sleepiness faded when I saw it was my Mom calling. I answered it immediately and she told me she decided to visit a Doctor today. Hayyy, finally. She also added that she was unable to sleep for two days because of pain.
Doctor's FINDINGS!
When she texted me that she was done with her check up I immediately called.
Me: Oh, how's your check up? What did the Doctor tell you? What was the cause?
Mother: She already gave me prescriptions. The medicines were so pricey. It almost cost $40.
Me: Okay, just buy the medicines, you didn't answer me, what was the cause?
Mother: I don't know. I didn't hear what the Doctor said. She speaks too weakly.
Me: Then you should tell her to speak louder. You are supposed to ask all questions as you are paying for a check up.
Mother: ehhh.... maybe next time.
See? That is why as much as possible we always accompany our parents in situations like this. She didn't ask supposed questions .
No one was unable to go with her earlier as it was urgent. All my sisters are not at home.
At the end, she just told me after a week, if it's not yet cured, she needs to go back to the Doctor again. Then she reminds me to send her some money for her medication. Toinks, it seems I will be selling some of my BCH again. No choice, Mother's health is more important than anything else.
What is the cause of Shingles?
I checked on Google and it says it was caused by varricella zoster virus (VZV) . The same virus with chicken pox. If you ever had chicken pox before this virus didn't leave your body. It only stays dormant and could reactivate and that causes Shingles.
Also one factors that could trigger was STRESS. Which made me think maybe this was the factor as indeed mother was so stressed this past few weeks due to some personal issues at home.
I am hoping Mom would be better soon.
Anyone who had experienced this? Any medication you apply?
04/09/2022
09:28 PM_Manila Philippines
I think parents shouldn't rely on their decisions alone when they are old, sometimes you just have to coerce them into doing what's best, instead of leaving them to do what they want. The best option right from the start was for your mother to visit a qualified doctor instead of a quack, her health isn't something to be toyed with now that she's old. I do pray she gets better soon, shingles can be really uncomfortable