I have some type of a rash and its on my left side of my body. i thought they were hives but i have had them 3x's with breakouts. shingles?

Herpes zoster: Sounds compatible with shingles, but these would have to be seen to be accurately diagnosed. Show them to your doctor. Think about getting the vz vaccine.

Not enough info.: It is hard to say. Rashes are such a visual thing, that it is important to get into a physician, more specifically a dermatologist, for an exam and more thorough history. The fact that is only on one side speaks to the fact it could be shingles, but to have it recur 3 separate times is quite unusual. Hives can occur randomly so this cannot be ruled out either. See a derm to answer your question.