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blame, such as lymphoma, chemotherapy or drugs that help prevent organ rejection after a transplant. In your case the combination of your age, the stress of your breast cancer diagnosis and surgery are obvious reasons for the virus to become active again.
Unfortunately, you can get more than one attack of shingles and it is possible that the further emotional and physical stress you are now under may trigger another attack, which may affect either the same or a different nerve.
The first sign of this is likely to be tingling or pain in the skin, especially if it is in another place, or feels different to your current pain. If this occurs, tell your doctor straight away, as prompt treatment with antiviral drugs can help stop the virus multiplying further and in some cases can even prevent a full-blown attack occurring. I do hope your operation goes well.
QCOUGH UP: Acid reflux could be cause of persistent cough
I’VE had a cough for the last two months. I’ve never smoked or had chest problems before. It started when I had a cold but though my nose has cleared I’m still coughing.
I’ve had my chest checked several times and it’s always been clear but a couple of weeks ago my doctor thought that my blood pressure pills – which I started last summer – might be to blame. Despite switching to a different type of medication my
AACE inhibitor drugs, such as ramipril, lisinopril and perindopril, which are used to treat high blood pressure and also heart problems, can cause a cough in about 20 per cent of those who take them. The exact reason for this isn’t known and the dry, tickly cough can start anything from a few hours to several months after you start taking them. Unfortunately it doesn’t stop straight away when you stop the pills and though in most the cough goes in three months, in some it can take up to a year. A persistent cough can also be caused by acid reflux from the stomach, which is why people with heartburn often also complain of a cough. Signs that a cough may be due to something more serious include shortness of breath, coughing up blood, weight loss, a fever, night sweats or chest pain. If you have any of these, go back and see your doctor again.
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