Head/neck pain and rash

[fiin774]

Hello,
I am new to this website, been diagnosed with Crohns Disease since 1990, I'm a 43yr old female, married with two boys (neither which have Crohns). My question, I just recently was discharged from the hospital (7 day stay) from what ended up being diagnosed as a severe crohns flare up. I went to the hospital with such severe head and neck pain, light sensivity, extreme joint pain and then a rash (chicken pox style) broke out on my arms and legs. The rash never itched but felt at times like I was sunburned. I never in a million years would have thought this was all crohns related. I couldn't function, eat/drink or sleep the head pain was that bad.
Has anyone ever experienced this? They started me on steriods and I got my life back, the headaches pretty much have gone away and I'm not walking like I'm 90 years old. I'm not a fan of steriods but what a turn around from a week ago. I've had flare ups in the past but nothing compares to this. Note: I never had any abdominal pain throughout this entire ordeal. Any thoughts?

 

[ruthymg]

Hi Fiin774 and welcome to the forum. It sound slike shingles to me although I'm no doctor. I haven't actually had shingles but both of my parents have and both of them had a rash with severe neck and head pain. It seemed to take an age to clear up too. It could be that as you are in a bad flare at the mo, your imune system is compromised and so you have picked up the shingles virus, which should by the way clear up eventually. As I say, I'm not a doctor so don't take this for gospel, but it sounds awfully similar to me. Hope this helps a little. Tell us about your self in My Story.


Ruth

 

[Jeff D.]

Welcome to the forums. I have gotten this. It really sucks to get but when I got it I would just push more to eat. Even if I couldn't eat much. All I remember from back then though was that I was in extreme pain. I hope you start to feel better soon. Remember not to take advil, take tylenol. I have heard of people taking advil which lead them straight into a flare.

 

[ReeRee]

Jeff is absolutely right about the advil. Just say NO..haha.

My sister had shingles too, Ruth, and I think you may be on to something. If I remember right, she had those symptoms too. I don't know much about shingles tho, so please don't take my word for it either.

Could be a reaction to your meds. Call and have a chat with your pharmacist to help you rule it out.

Oh and welcome to the forum!