Initial outbreak symptoms and conditions

I've been taking Ultrcet for about a month for shingles. Frankly, I hurt so bad to start with that all I wanted to do was sleep and that's what two Ultrcets let me do. The side affects initially were nausea and loss of appetite. Once I decided to eat regularly, hungry or not, the nausea has gone away. I've had to work and found that I can only take a half a tab every three to four hours during the day and still function. I've evidently built up a tolerance to them now because I have to take two about nine at nite and another two about two in the morning. I appreciate the thoughts about tapering off rather then quiting cold turkey. I've been non-social too but it's mainly because I don't feel good anyhow. The pain from the shingles is unrelenting and I have to stay on top of the pain meds, making sure the dosage is adequate without using too much. The initial outbreak went away and I still have all the pain and now I think I'm getting another outbreak. Seeing the doctor next week. Not a drug I'd want to take on a regular basis but it sure helps for now.