I've had shingle 3 times in 3 entirely different locations (aka dermatomes) and it hurt like hell (all pre-cancer too). The trick is to look for the subtle signs of it's occurence (typically like a virus coming on - lethargy, slightly elevated temperature, itchiness. etc.) and get on Acyclovir (Zovirax - or other anti-viral drugs) immediately. If it's fully engaged before you start Tx than it can take weeks and someones months to heal. It can also cause blindness. The first time I had it I went through 100 Vicodin ES in 10 days and it still hurt like hell. I understand that there may be a vaccine available for it now. Anyone who had chickenpox as a child is at risk. When it is active and has pustules, you are contageous and can actually spread chickenpox. The meds are basically the same as treating Herpes Simplex.

One thing that typifies it is phantom or psuedo pain along the nerve bundles emanating from the spinal cord. The actual eruption can be on your chest and the corresponding area on your back will hurt as bad but no eruption. Even breathing cool air on it can hurt like hell. It's an insidious little b*tch. You can even have an eruption inside your mouth.

None of the doctors I have talked too ever suggested letting it resolve on its own.

Surprisingly I never had problems with it during Tx or since (but I have a bottle of Zovirax at the ready). I also have HCV and the ct didn't impact that either - life is full of surprises...

Here's a fairly decent link about it: http://www.aftershingles.com/shingles.html