Shingles experience: If you don't take medication within the golden time after shingles onset

This is a review of shingles from five years ago when I endured it without taking any medication, something I had only heard about. It was an experience I had after returning from my honeymoon, when I was extremely tired and had a weakened immune system. Because I did not take medication within the golden 72-hour window after the onset of shingles, it was incredibly painful.

About five years ago, shortly after getting married, I contracted shingles when I was likely to become pregnant.ㅠ I was playing a game at home and went to the bathroom for a moment, and my back was itchy. When I looked in the mirror, I saw a rash in a band-like shape on one side of my back.

I originally had health anxiety and had some information about shingles, so I immediately thought, "This must be shingles without a doubt." I knew it would be extremely painful, so I was very scared. Moreover, since I had just gotten married and might have been pregnant, I was worried about not being able to take medication, and my heart was pounding.

I rushed to the dermatology clinic on the same day, and they confirmed that it was indeed shingles. However, since I am a bit younger, they said I probably wouldn't experience the postherpetic neuralgia that older people often get. I actually wanted to start antiviral medication immediately, but I was told that if there's a concern about pregnancy, it's better not to take it, so I just went home.

From that moment, the battle against shingles began. The pain was like a blazing fire, and pus started to ooze from the rash. I was caught in a dilemma where I couldn't decide whether to take medication or not. Ultimately, the golden time is said to be three days, and I endured without taking any medication. Two days later, the day that every woman knows arrived, and I finally felt relieved and started taking medication.

In short, it was a foolish mistake. Because I didn't take the medication during the golden time, the wound spread extensively, and I had to visit the dermatologist for another month. This time, I went to a different hospital, and the doctor said it was too severe. He said that if I don't undergo laser treatment now, the scars will worsen. Honestly, I didn't really care much about the scars.

Anyway, the tingling pain and the feeling of being bruised from shingles are probably hard to understand even if you hear the explanation. I thought I never want to experience such pain again, but the doctor said that since I have had an immune response once, I don't need to get a separate preventive shot.