When I had shingles, I thought I had pulled a muscle, then decided, as the pain got worse, I had broken a rib, then in the end, I decided I had cancer. Luckily, that is when I noticed the rash!
I decided I had shingles and went to the docs to have it confirmed. It was really painful.
I have read it is a step up from cold sores. The virus is related to the shingle virus.Symptoms.A tingling itchy feeling, (I never got that.) This is before the rash appears. Only found one one side of the body. (Follows a nerve path.) So usually follows a line of skin. Can develop over a few hours or days into painful blisters. Can cause a 'flu like feeling. That may last until the rash goes. Can be on chest wall, face, upper legs, I have seen it down arms. It is rare to have shingles if you haven't had chickenpox. It's the same virus. People prone maybe "rundown." Need to see your GP. Can be small patches or quite extensive.