Bella, you are a great daughter to care for your mom like this. My daughter is caring for me too and trying to give me hope. I am on month 8. Nothing has worked and I fear pain management will want me to wear a fentanyl patch, which at this pt I might. Have they tried the Butrans Patch with your mom? Some PHN patients get relief with that. I did not but your mom might. It's not a full opioid so you don't have to consider addiction etc . I am receiving acupuncture and they are determined to heal me. I hope that's the case but more importantly they keep me positive. I found an entire team that helps me. Drs aren't going to do that. Keep doing what you are doing and remind her it's not forever. I know there are people that go past a year and I can't imagine but take it day by day. Have you seen pain management, neurologists yet? Acupuncture , lidocaine patches, check to see if anyone in your area performs the advanced capscion patches, they burn but give relief for 3 months they tell me. My primary care Dr is denying I have PHN, mostly because she didn't catch the shingles when she could have, so I don't waste time with that. Be there with her for appointments if you can, bring a meal and sit together, let her cry and hold her tight. In the end I believe that will bring her healing that other people can't provide. Let me know how you both do. Would love to know if you both found relief. Take Care