Does alcohol exacerbate the pain of shingles ? Have been out for Xmas drinks and now pain unbearable ... Want it to stop.I thought I had a trapped nerve in L3 ... Since Monday, have had pain in lower back, stabbing pain but also numbness in outer left thigh and left side of abdomen. This morning a rash appeared across hip and abdomen ... I assumed mozzie or midge bites but by midday, the spots hurt when clothing touched rash. Is this shingles or have I got a trapped nerve ?
Hello! Welcome on Chat Doctor ! Your symptoms are suggestive of Shingles. Alcohol may exacerbate your symptoms.  The skin rash is not typical of any trapped nerve. Coming to this point, I recommend going to the ER for a physical exam. If the diagnosis of Shingles is confirmed, treatment should be started as soon as possible. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Best wishes,