What you describe wasn't what my shinges episodes were like, but i'm sure everybody acts differently to the same health problems.
Mine was about a hands width band of redness, and sores that were from my left side to the middle of my back. There was plenty of pain along with a lot of discomfort. I did go to the doctor for diagnosis [don't use them for anything else unless it's something physical. Never take their drugs] Had a blood test that confirmed the shingles. Didn't remember ever having chicken Pox prior, but must have based on the pain.
Got rid of mine with continual spraying of Colloidal Silver. Almost gone, but a smaller area erupted before it finally left. Nothing since [2 to 3 years], but told they can return unless you get a vaccination. [Not going to happen]
I think the blood test is advised to know exactly what you are dealing with.
Also you might search the side affects of the drug that was prescribed. [Kidney damage,etc.]
I've never used Colloidal Silver before, how is it's safety? I hear it can cause [Agyria] and lots of sites are saying it's unsafe.
They say it's unsafe because If people use it they don't get to sell their drugs that cost ten times more, and causes you to have other problems while only treating the symptoms, not the problem. [My opinion]
The people who get Agyria make their own like I do but instead of using only 99.9% pure silver, and Distilled water, they put salt and other things to speed up the process and making it stronger. Plus it's been reported they drink 8 Oz multiple times a day. What I did is spray the shingles mutiple times a day, Important to keep it as moist as possible.
I use it for everything including not getting the flu. Haven't had a flu shot since mid 1985. At the first sign put CS in the nose, and ears with a dropper bottle. Gargle some CS.
I make my own, but I heard Utopia silver is good. Don't know what the shipping cost would amount to from the states. 20 PPM
Make it your own call if you decide to use it.
I notice they often have [NUMBER]ppm, what is this? what ppm would I need?
PPM = Parts per million. Some people advertise 500, or 1000, or more but you don't need more than 10 PPM in my opinion. The rest is sales BS. [mine is better than yours]