We were woken around 7.30 by a REALLY intense rain storm. It's not often the sound of rain can wake me up.

Checked my rashes and glands - much better. The dull ear ache is more or less gone - although the tinnitus is still there. Took my 18 pills before breakfast (can't decide if taking that many pills make me feel like I'm REALLY ill - or a drug addict), and then decided to take it easy to let my body rest. Wasn't much to do anyway with the weaher as it was - had thought about taking the boat for a spin...no way!

Went to the hospital early in the morning for my consultation. I had to wait an hour and a half (some emergencies had come in), so I am now a master path-finder at one of Stockholm's bigger hospitals - I walked lots of corridors to burn the time ( I hate waiting rooms).

When it was finally my time, luck strikes once again, my doc is an AT (think that's the term, a real doc - but fresh in practice). He had heard of Ramsay Hunts Syndrome once some time ago, and went "hmm..wow" when I presented my printed documentation to him.

I discussed my symptoms with my girlfriend over breakfast and couldn't really decide. She then took a look at my rashes, and obviusly found one behind my ear which I had missed. That settled it, I called the doctors office right away and got an appointment after lunch. My doc was still on vacation so once again I recieved a substitute, doctor number 2 from above.

Wen't to work as usual as I felt quite well and wanted the company of my colleagues. To be on the safe side I sent out an email to check that all my co-workers were immune against chicken pox. With my usual luck, one of them hadn't had chicken pox and panicked...well not really - but she definitely got worried as this was her last week before vacation. I packed my stuff again and avoided her on my way out of the office. Called my boss and told him I'd be working from home for the next week or so.

I called and made an appointment, got up to the doctors office around 10. My doc was on vacation, so I was assigned to one of his colleagues. I described all my various symptoms as best I could. He was a bit confused and first thought it was Acne, then briefly contemplated Shingles - only to dismiss it - thought some more, and then decided to get a second opinion. The second doctor diagnosed it as Shingles right away.

Woke up and decided that I'd go to work despite feeling a little more tired than usual. As soon as I got in my car though, I realised that I was a bit light-headed. Arrived at work (yes, I'm stubborn), but got literally nothing done. I felt weird, light-headed and very tired, but had much that I really had to do, so I tried to focus on work - to no avail. I also noticed during the day that my pimples really didn't look like pimples anymore, looked more like a bad allergic reaction. The stabbing ear-pain continued throughout the day. Decided that I'd stay off work the next day and visit my Doc.

I awoke and the lymph glands were a bit worse, and I also had a few more "pimples". Still not concerned as I can get "flare ups" of pimples when I have a cold. Felt less fatigued though, but still took it easy. During the day I got attacks of pain in the ear, like being stabbed with a needle deep inside the ear. They were quite far between, so I thought it was due to my swollen glands just behind the ear.

The weather was great, so despite me not feeling top notch, we decided to go visit my parents and enjoy the weather. Also being outside I wouldn't have to worry about transmitting what I still thought was a common cold to anyone. I felt very weak though, and deteriorated over the day, so much so that I felt real hesitant about driving home. Back home I was convinced that I had a light fever, and my girlfriend noticed what looked like a group of acne on my chest, but since I've had some acne in my youth we thought nothing of it. We also noticed that some glands behind my ear was swollen.

Went to work as usual, but felt more tired than usual. Weirdly though the cold symptoms were slightly better, the blisters had almost gone away and the throat was OK. In the evening my girlfriend had some friends over prior to going out, but I wasn't at all feeling social - I was really tired - I must have seemed like a total bore! I took it easy before turning in. Felt a bit chilly, but didn't bother taking the temp.