Your Questions About Shingles

Pain medicine for shingles ?

What can a pain management doctor give me for shingles. Ive had since july 2008? I don’t have the pain, just irritation of the skin. I cant put on my shirt cause my side tightens so much from the shingles. I have tried all the medicines that my regular doctor prescribed and no luck. So he referred me to the pain medicine doc. Will this pain management doc work?

Anyone experiencing the pain of PHN. I have it it in forehead, would like to know what discomforts others have

I have burning, stabbing, itching, crawling, knife slicing feeling and a feeling as if something heavy is resting on my forehead and I can not lift it. Is anyone experiencing the same. I have taken all meds, seen pain management and neuroligist–no help. I understand that this may be with me forever or until the Lord sees fit to say “enough”, but I want to know if any one else is affected with equal pain and discomforts. I am about to resign then retire from my teaching job due to frequent absences because of PHN. Just checking. Oh yes, the shingles came on me on 11/29/99.

Does anyone have any advice about PHN / Post Herpetic Neuralgia ???

This is what you get after having Shingles.

It is very painful. I have it on my lower spine. Here is the definition of how it feels…..

The pain related to PHN / Neuralgia is described as one of the worst pains a person can endure. If left untreated, the pain is described as being similar to the sensation of banging your “funny bone” and can be unbearable.

I already have an appointment with a Pain Management Specialist. I have used the patch and pain meds and its not helping me.

How to diagnose Post Herpetic Nueralgia?

I had shingles at an unusually young age (when I was 6) on the left side of my neck- since then I have had muscle spasms and chronic pain and weakness. I have gone to PT and see a pain management doctor. I was on the subway a little while ago and saw an ad for treatment for PHN and it hit me that i may very well have this since I have had this neck pain since i can remember and it is in the same place where I had shingles.

My primary care doctor agrees and sent me for a nerve test, to a spine doctor and to a neurologist- all of which I anticipate will help. I’m 23 now and live a very active life- work full time, school semi full time and am very social. I have found lately the pain and caused me to miss school as i cant hold my head up after work from the pain and cancle plans that I use to enjoy.

Even now aI am propped on my left side with pillows- The nerve test does not say that I have any nerve damage- does this rule out PHN?

Any ideas what it could be?

Would I be considered disabled?

Over the few years I have been diagnosed and treated for high blood pressure, Arrhythmia, depleted vitamin d, depleted potassium, hypothyroidism, pancreatitus, shingles, swollen joints, fibromyalgia, sjogren’s syndrome, another underlying (and currently under diagnosis) autoimmune disease – have tested positive three times: I am also being treated for dry eye, tongue ulcers. I have three bulging discs, two in my neck, one in my lower back, arthritis in my neck and spine; I have been treated for the past eight years for depression; fatigue; I also have chronic kidney stones, passing 3 to 5 every year for the past 21 years.. I am thinking seriously about filing for social security disability because of all that is wrong with me. I am currently in physical therapy pool therapy twice a week for pain management, to build strength and flexibility. I am only 50 years old and have always been able to work through my issues, but the doctors have told me I can no longer work in my field because it triggers my autoimmune issues. I am looking for serious answers. I need guidance – not critisism for being in my condition.