Shingles is extremely itchy for me, the first episode was the worst, the itch was incredible. I started in my early 20’s and have probably had 10–15 outbreaks in the last 20 years. Two years ago I had three in one year, and hadn’t had one in almost 5 years at that time.
I don’t remember the stats on the efficacy of the vaccine. They aren’t spectacular, but I think they estimate over 50%. you can look it up if you research the vaccine. I chose not to get it. It would be interesting to know if someone with frequent outbreaks stopped getting them after the vaccine, I have never seen that information.
I think caffeine aggravates mine. I also think antibiotics help me. I know it is viral and does not respond to antibiotics, but sometimes I have some post herpetic tingle, or go through a period of feeling like I am getting an outbreak all the time. Like one day I think I am, and then for a few weeks I am ok, and then again I think I might be, etc. Then if I take Augmentin it’s like it clears any superinfection or something so the area is not aggravated. It’s how it feels to me, I realize no doctor would agree. I never take an antibiotic on purpose for shingles, but when I have taken them I just have observed this Phenomenum.
Valtrex works pretty well for me when an outbreak really flares up. I don’t always get the drug though. If a doctor is going to make me come to the office I just suffer through it.