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Cyndie said you would probably know the answer to this. I think I have shingles. It isn't confirmed by the doctor yet, but I'm 98% sure. My Dad had them years ago, and I've been researching on the Internet and I look just like the pictures. I know it's a virus. Would you know if I'm dangerous to the birds?

Hi Sue,
I just want to tell you I'm sorry if you have shingles, I know it's painful. I don't know about the bird part, I'm just wanting you to know I'm feeling for you.
Gloria

Thanks, Gloria. It's not pleasant, for sure.

I had that last year It isn't dangerous to birds but it's painful. Have you been to the Dr yet? All he'll do is give you pain killers for it (they don't work though).

Shingles is an adult form of chicken pox. If you haven't had chciken pox before, that's what you'll get. If you have, you get shingles. It's usually stress that brings it on & most poeple only get it once, few get it more than once.

kimforster wrote:I had that last year It isn't dangerous to birds but it's painful. Have you been to the Dr yet? All he'll do is give you pain killers for it (they don't work though).

Shingles is an adult form of chicken pox. If you haven't had chciken pox before, that's what you'll get. If you have, you get shingles. It's usually stress that brings it on & most poeple only get it once, few get it more than once.

I'm amazed that you got it so young! What I have read is that people 60 and over are more susceptible. It does hurt. My dad had shingles many years ago when he was about 15 years older than I am now and his health was never very good again. It took so much out of him - but he was 75 or so and had other problems.

I had chicken pox when I was four so that virus has been lingering in my system for 56 years!

I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday (I was already scheduled for a checkup). As long as it stays off my face I will wait until then. If it moves from my neck where it is now, to my face I'll ask for an emergency appointment because I've heard it can be dangerous to the eyes.

Thank you for your post. I have been worrying about endangering my birds.

It had been accosiated with older poeple in the past but it's now becoming more common in younger people & stress is a big factor with the younger people getting it. In the older people it's a lower amune system from growing older.

You think I had it young? My boyfriend had it at 20!!! He rarely gets sick but when he does it's big time sick & in bed for a good 3 weeks at least.

I had shingles around my stomach so the cramps got so bad I couldn't move for a couple of days. I was back to normal within a week thank god & it is contagious to people. If they've never had chicken pox they'll still catch it off you but it will be chicken pox.

kimforster wrote:
I had shingles around my stomach so the cramps got so bad I couldn't move for a couple of days. I was back to normal within a week thank god & it is contagious to people. If they've never had chicken pox they'll still catch it off you but it will be chicken pox.

Mine are across my shoulder down to my collarbone in front and to my shoulder blade in back, and up on the side and back of my neck.

Cyndie said? ;-0 Oh Sue...I'm so sorry because it sounds miserable! Its not transmittable to parrots but I would still be careful....only because there is so much we don't know. Diseases are most always species specific but but and and but. I hope you feel better soon!!!

hugs,

Shauna

Thanks, Shauna. I am not handling the birds at all, and wash my hands well, and really am managing not to touch their food. I sure will be glad when I get past this.

What willpower you must have, Sue. I don't know if I could go one day without kissing and hugging my babies. I'm so sorry. I hope there's someone with you to give you a sad look and hug your birdies for you.
Gloria

Valerie and Gloria, thank you for your posts. It is hard not to touch them, but they are still right here in the room and we talk constantly - particularly Baggins, the TAG. He's been telling me all morning "Bad bird, bad bird, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" and "Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling." (He leaves off the Clementine.) Also big on today's list of favorites is "yackity yack, don't talk back." He's endlessly entertaining to listen too and Bingo is so much fun to watch doing his acrobatics and ringing his bells and spinning his whirlygig toy.

Birds are so funny. Mike (my husband) sings a new song to Annie. He sings "B... B... BEER CANS, POTS AND PANS, CIGARETTE BUTTS AND PAPER CUPS. A BEACH PARTY'S GOIN' ON" (there's 3 different verses) At first she just looked at him, then on the second verse bobbed her head and on the third verse started hopping. Now all we have to do is start singing "B...B...BEER" and she's hopping all over the living room floor. I've never had so much fun from an animal as I have with Annie. Every night I laugh at her. Even when I'm sad she'll make me smile.

gloriajean wrote:I've never had so much fun from an animal as I have with Annie. Every night I laugh at her. Even when I'm sad she'll make me smile.

I think it's because we see how much fun they have - total enjoyment!