So I thought it was a cold sore. I having never had one, but with the help of Web Md, arrived to that assumption on my very own. The swollen spots on my nose seemed to however to have a mind of their own. And despite my self diagnosis all the signs leaned to something else. Sure in "rare"cases these little bundles of joy could sprout from the upper side of my nose, and in even more unusual circumstances, the accompanying swollen lymph nodes, fever and extreme muscle pain could happen, but I was starting to have my doubts. My nose had doubled in size (and on only the right half of my nose mind you!) and swelling and redness now were appearing under my eye as well. I was QUITE the sight to behold I assure you. : )

With the onset of "tingling" that ran in a line from my right ear to my nose, and now with a droopy eye and looking drunk on the right side of my face, and now constant sneezing, I pondered my options.

Now I admit the Dr is not my favorite person to go visit. However over the past 5 years or so, I have opted for more alternative medicines in general. Rather than see my dermatologist or general physician, I opted for my Chiropractor. Now for those of you who have been to a chiropractor, you know that they don't come at you with gloves and asking questions like "How long ago did you have Chickenpox?"!

Chickenpox? My mind was swirling as she proceeded.

"You have shingles" she told me.

Shingles? What?

Don't you have to be old and gray to have Shingles? (Or Chickenpox 2.0 as I now "lovingly" refer to them!) Well apparently not. Often more common for people over the age of 65 they can occur in our younger years as well. "Are you stressed?" was the next question. After taking a month off of work, I can assure anyone I am anything but! I am just the "lucky" girl who perhaps after a cold and weakened immune system, got this lovely virus that has laid dormant in my nerve pathways since I was 5 years old.

Apparently I was extremely lucky and taking immune boosting vitamins before the virus attacked! (HURRAY 4 VITAMINS!) It turns out that even my own misdiagnosis was a good thing. Because the CP 2.0 and cold sore viruses are somewhat related, the homeopathic drops, and antiviral herbal goodness indeed worked their magic! They quickened the healing time of my facial oddity and now with the addition of cold laser therapy (it works similarly to acupuncture) to help the facial nerve, I am well on the mend. With any luck the tingling and tenderness (!AND SNEEZING!) will all disappear and this all will just be a blip in the past. Whew!