Friends, I have shingles (warning, don't click through unless you really want the info.).
Five years ago I had my first outbreak. I thought I had been bitten by a spider thanks to the swollen gland at the base of my neck and the trail of itchy spots up my scalp. But when I went to the doctor she pronounced "shingles!", put me on a seven day does of medication, and sent me home to bed for a week. (Easy with a 1 and 3 year old, right?! Thank goodness for Grandma.)
And let me tell you ... it was the worst.pain.EVER!!! It felt like what I would imagine someone putting out a lit cigarette on my head would feel like. The slightest touch to my head or hair would set my entire head on fire. I couldn't go outside because the wind on my head caused the worst.pain.ever. Worse than child-birth ... because at the end of THAT I had a baby. At the end of shingles ... you just worry that they may come back someday. Because, unlike chicken-pox, they CAN come back. Again and again, apparently.
Anyways, fast-forward five years, and Saturday evening I noticed that the gland at the base of my neck was swollen again. And my scalp was a bit tender in the same location I had them the first time. And I was feeling exhausted (but it could also have just been laziness from not doing anything for two days during Nemo?). Sunday was a packed day, and while my head hurt ... I was in denial. Monday ... same thing. But Monday night, I knew something was wrong.
Yesterday I went to the doctor and, yep ... shingles. But this time we caught them early enough that the doctor thinks I won't be in as much pain as last time. I'll just be slightly in pain, exhausted and have flu-like symptoms for at least a week. Good times ....
And why am I writing about this? Well, obviously I won't be doing any outfit posts for the next week or so. Mostly because any movement near my head is quite uncomfortable and wearing a knit hat in all the photos could look a bit awkward. And no movement on or near my head also means ... I won't be washing my hair for the foreseeable future. (yuck?)
But let's find the silver lining! A while back I read about Natalie's routine of not washing her hair for a week (apparently by the 5th day there's some MAJOR volume?!) and dry shampoo recommendations. I'm going to call it Project Dirty Hair. Next Tuesday, I'll either be shingle free with amazing hair or shingle free and just really gross. (As long as it's not shingled and gross I'll be happy.) Let's see how it goes ...
I really feel bad for you! If you need help, give a yell. I kind of like the 5 day no hair wash-- I'm interested to see the result.
Posted by: Suzette | February 13, 2013 at 08:37
Oh Genny! Yuck for shingles! But....when else do you do Project dirty hair? Here's to a not-so-painful week!
Posted by: Michele | February 13, 2013 at 09:13
Wow, so sorry to hear you were in pain today when I saw you!! All that being said, I was thinking that your hair looked really good today and was going to ask you if you got a new cut/do.
Posted by: Tracy Weber | February 13, 2013 at 12:56
Try baby powder in your hair. It will obsorb oil and help keep your hair looking clean without having to use shampoo
Posted by: Heather P. | February 13, 2013 at 13:10
Thanks, ladies! I have a few dry shampoos that I have used before and LOVE ... so they will, for sure, be working double-time over the next few days. :) And thanks, Tracy, for the compliment on Day 2 hair ... we'll see how it looks next Monday when I'm on Day 6 hair! ;)
Posted by: Genny | February 13, 2013 at 14:44
Man, that bites the big one - anything I can do let me know. You are tough. Poor G :(
Posted by: MNK | February 16, 2013 at 20:42