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.

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. I still thought it was an infection.

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.

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 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.

My doc then explained briefly about shingles (which I knew nothing about) and went on to say that it's a bit uncomfortable but really nothing to worry about. "I've had it myself, and I'm not that old either" he said. He explained that there are meds, but that they are quite expensive and unlikely to do much good since it had been 72 hours since my rash appeared. I incorrectly said it appeared on the friday - whoch shows the value of keeping a diary which I will from now on.

I decided not to "waste" money on the meds which would do no good, and went home. I called work and said I'd be working from home, which I am fortunate to do, as I didn't at all feel like driving to work. In the evening in bed and trying to sleep, I was irritated by a ringing sound in my ears - mostly on the right side. I've had tinnitus briefly in the past (after concerts and nights out on town), so I attributed it to stress and fatigue which can also cause it.

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.

Later back home I decided to check the net for info on Shingles, mostly to see what the chances of transmission really are. I then got a bit worried, as I noticed there actually were quite bad complications that could arise from the illness. Worse, some of my symptoms (ear ache, blisters on the neck) matched the description. Not wanting to overreact, I decided to wait until morning to decide what to do - I had no yearning to spend the night at the ER either.

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.

She again agreed it was Shingles, but said that there wasn't anything to be done - it was too late for meds. She didn't believe I had Zoster Oticus / Ramsay Hunt either, as I wasn't dizzy, vomiting or had facial paralysis. She ignored my ear aches and tinnitus completely. Now getting irritated, I insisted that she at least would forward me to an ENT specialist. Resigned, she called them to cross-check my symptoms. After the call she explained that the ENT specialist agreed with me and gave me an appointment for the next morning.

Back home, I went on another web-search. I learnt I had misspelled Ramsay Hunt (had written Ramsey) and now found much more info, including Rob's excellent site. Reading more detailed articles and the diaries on this site left me absolutely Panicked! I was on day 7 without any medication, and the disease would likely leave permanent problems if left untreated. I was particularily worried with hearing loss and tinnitus, as I am a hobbyist musician. Decided that I would go home after the consultation with proper meds, no matter what. I printed all relevant info I could find and went to bed early. I had to open the window to help drown out the tinnitus, which had gotten worse.