Jean (from PA)
I had shingles many years ago. They were on the left side of my back. Any movement of the area activates the pain (stretching, twisting, etc.). It feels like a burning, pricking and tearing of the skin. Very sensitive to anything touching the skin!! I could not even stand clothing touching it so I ran around in a bikini most of the time. The pain is in the skin. I had no visible rash but due to my explanation of weird pain symptoms the doctor was able to suspect them and did see it under magnification. Heat will also intensify the pain. I don't even remember what he gave me for it but I think steroids and a cream. It lasted quite a while...maybe a month or longer for the worse part. Jean (from PA)