I first had shingles around 10 years ago, I didn't know what it was at the time so I went to a private hospital in Khonkaen where a young lady doctor took one look at the rash and said "I know what that is, it's Herpes Zoster".
All I heard was the "Herpes" part and all pain from the shingles disappeared as I thought about the prospect of having herpes. Meanwhile, the doctor was chatting away with my wife, so I interrupted her and asked her to say it again. No change, it's Herpes Zoster, so at that point I engage Mr Google and see that it's actually shingles.
I wasn't sure whether to laugh or slap the doctor for telling me I had herpes.
Really severe pain for just over a week and then another 4 weeks for it to clear up, since then I have had it two more times but never as bad as the first one.
The rash had started at my groin and then travelled around to my back. According to my wife, the wise people of the village called it "moo sawat" and said that if the rash made a complete circle around my waist I would drop dead.
Not sure if that was just wishful thinking on her part.