I don’t think they are incompatible but maybe... If you caught this morning’s news around the country, you likely read the announcement of a new vaccine against shingles. Interviews with physicians report the virus responsible for chickenpox remains in the body forever after settling in nerve tissue near the spinal cord, where it lies dormant – forever if one is lucky. (anyone not having had chickenpox could have caught chickenpox from me, a person with shingles) However, the virus can become reactivated, travel along the nerve fibers back to the skin to cause shingles….and there you have it. Same info as from Doc Ana – you read it here first. It mostly happens to those over 50 years old. I’m happy to report that most of that “painful, blistery rash” doctors refer to is leaving now after a two week run. Mostly it’s just a little itchy now. Once again, I can sit! And sleep on either side without discomfort! Hallelujah! Now I’m dealing with the Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) (nerve pain in my left hip). The pain medication makes me loopy which I can’t afford in my line of work plus I don’t like any feeling of being out of focus – one of the many reasons I don’t drink. The doctor says this pain can last for months or even years after the rash clears up. I don’t think so!! Let’s all have another moment of silent meditation and prayer!!

The new vaccine is marketed as Zostavax but I think it’s limited to folks over 60 years old and costs about $150. If you haven’t had this vaccine and can qualify (or know anyone who does), I urge you to run not walk...tell everyone.