Barb
What you are describing is post herpatic shingles. This means that it is not completely going into remission. My mom has post herpatic shingles. She has been suffering from them since 1994. When she does too much and gets overworked, she has a breakout. Hers are severe enough that her doctor prescribed the lidoderm patch. It is a pain-relieving patch that has worked better than all the other forms of treatment she has gone through-and she has gone through them all. I am 47 and have repeat outbreaks of shingles on my nose. It's painful and leaves scars. When I have an outbreak, I have an emergency supply of zovirax to hit it immediately. I usually start out with them on a Sunday morning and it is difficult to get to a doctor then so my doctor prescribed a starter set of two or three pills to hold me over til Monday morning when I can see him. Talk to your doctor and see what he feels will best help you through these bouts of shingles.