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Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia and Pain
Has anyone suffered from LONG lasting neuropathic pain as a result of Shingles, and what treatment do you use for the pain? My daughter had shingles at 21, a spinal cord stimulator inserted and removed, many trigger point injections, all of which may have contributed to the thoracic pain she has. She is now 34, and teaches yoga, but is still on a compound prescribed by a pain management Dr. in NYC what is basically Oxy. I am paying for this, since neither she nor her husband can afford it at around $500 a month. She could not find a physician in Fl. I know who would prescribe this medication after 10 years, thus the use of an out of state physician. I do not want to see her suffer, nor can I discuss much with her since we barely speak, but this expense, coupled with paying for asthma inhalers that are expensive is becoming more and more of a strain. Any thoughts for alternatives are appreciated.
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I have been suffering for 13 years. I am in hell from PHN.
I have not tried a nerve block.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Hi tikigod18,
I have used Naturopathic advice since the 1980's so find natural remedies and lifestyle changes to be the best. Re: shingles, I have had them three times. The first two no problem - took the anti-viral and did the following: ate foods high in L-Lysine which calms shingles + avoided foods high in L-Arginine an amino acid that encourages shingles. Then on top of that I looked at the stressors in my life and worked to bring serenity and calmness to my life.
Fast forward to covid: stressed, I was older, had the shot and got shingles a third time (my ND said a downside of the covid shots was they will promote more invasions to our bodies like shingles). I was miserable for almost three weeks unlike the other cases. My MD said get a shot in three years but said it doesn't cover all kinds of shingles so you can get them again anyway. My ND supports eating high L-lysine foods and even taking a powdered supplement if needed + avoiding STRESS + eating less or even stopping intake of high L-Arginine foods for a time.
Factors that contribute to shingles:
*High levels of arginine or histidine compete with lysine
absorption and deplete lysine. They share common pathways in the body. Additionally, conditions like carnitine deficiency can also impact lysine levels.
*Carnitine Deficiency: Low levels can decreased fatty acid transport, potentially affecting lysine levels and causing symptoms like muscle weakness or fatigue.
*Stress: May also play a role in depleting lysine levels.
*Aminoglycoside Antibiotics: Antibiotics (like gentamicin or neomycin) can increase risk of toxicity when used with lysine.
BEST OPTIONS:
*A diet high in lysine-rich foods (like meat, fish, and dairy) Look up comparison charts of L-Lysine and L-Arginine
*Evaluate stressors and lifestyle
Best of luck sleuthing your bodies unique needs for less to no pain!
@farmersmith
Isn't gabapentin addicting?
@sw2043
It could be in some people. Never was for me and I took doses up to the daily maximum of 3,600 mg. It is a schedule 5 drug in some states. I think it may have been given that designation because people use gabapentin to enhance the effect of illicit drugs.
Althoughit wasn't addi give to me, I have to taper off any antiseizure drugs because of the danger of Statis Epilepticus (l have epilepsy) seizures that don't stop without medical intervention. As far as seizure medications are concerned, gabapentin is one of if not the weakest of the approx 30+ different ones.
Take care,
Jake
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1 ReactionMy Son had a spinal cord simulator put in in his back about ten years ago, it got infected, they took so long removing it he is now paralyzed from the waste down. Most days he can’t even hold a cup of coffee without spilling it. He is 44 years old, now in a wheelchair living in a nursing home because I can’t take care of him. I would never recommend the stimulator to anyone.