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.

He performed a basic ENT checkup, and thought the ear looked fine - agreed that something was going on as he saw the rashes and my swollen glands. He then asked me to step outside as he called his mentor (again, don't know the proper term).

When I was asked to step in again, he told me that his supervisor thought that there wasn't much danger and that it was probably going to be OK. Not satisfied with the answer, I described the dangers of leaving RHS untreated and said that I really wanted a thorough check and meds - after all I was offered meds earlier and he really couldn't refuse me. Another call to his mentor.

Again, I am let in and this time introduced to a Neurologist. Dr. Neuro decides that "nope, that doesn't look as Shingles at all , it seems spread over several dematormas(?) and the rashes don't look right". I then decribed all symptoms and he made an 180 degree u-turn, "ok, sounds exactly like Shingles".

They were still hesitant to describe meds "as there wasn't any real documented evidence that it would help". I wouldn't take no for an answer, and recieved a prescription for Valtrex and Prednisolon, as well as being forwarded to a hearing test the following week to be followed by a checkup. Yay - victory. To be honest I felt a bit bad about how I really steam-rolled over the fresh doc (he was a real nice guy), but I didn't have a choice.

I wen't home and took the meds right away. Spent the night taking it very easy, watching Miami Vice which is rerun during the summer. Excellent show; fast cars, boats, excellent fashion (er..not), and great music. Michael Mann and Jan Hammer really pioneered the practice of using polular music during the actual plot in TV and films.

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!

I spent the day making some music. I was really carefull and used my monitor speakers on low volume, not sure what higher volume would do to my tinnitus. Over all it feels as if my symptoms are improving quite rapidly.