Sorry to hear that mate. My Dad got Shingles a few months ago. It took him at least 6-8 weeks to start to feel better again. The painful bit is that it inflames nerve endings - usually in your legs.
Anyway - good luck with that.
As it happens, I'm suffering at the moment with a variant of the same virus (Herpes) that causes Shingles. I've got something that resembles a coldsore on my top lip :-( It was burning like hell yesterday, but today it's a little better.
Some interesting facts about Herpes Simplex A (the coldsore type):
1. 80% of people have it.
2. Only 25% of people that have it ever have any symptoms.
3. Most of those that do get symptoms, never have repeat symptoms.
4. You can pass it to your eyelids, fingers or genitals if you touch the coldsore and immediately rub your eye (or somewhere else).
5. Many coldsores that start don't actually develop into full coldsores (this is what I presume has happened to me).
6. If you feel one coming on, slap on the Zovirax which can also stop it developing.