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The Misery of Post Herpetic Neuralgia
I ama 64-year-old female who lost her body to post herpetic neuralgia (after the shingles), at the age of 59. Chronic pain, 24/7. Every day is a struggle. I also have additional nerve damage in the dermatomes. Areas on my body are on fire. I cannot wear clothes in those areas, and I can only sleep on one side. I have tried multiple drugs, procedures, acupuncture, etc. I have been at it for 5 years. I would love to find if there is some miracle out there that I haven't found. Most pain management doctors think I am crazy, because I am in crazy pain. Most of them do not even know what it is. Not rare, but not very common. I really have tried so much. I have to hold on to hope.
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Hi
Sounds like my life. It's been 9 years since Shingle first happened. I've tried just about everything. It's a doctor in Virginia does surgery to offer you great relief. But he doesn't take insurance and I don't have the $20,000 for the surgery I wish the God I did
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1 ReactionI just saw this, and I'm wondering how you are since this is written over 2 yrs ago. I hope...... you have had some relief. I have post herpetic neuralgia also. It is 10 wks now. Gabapentin and Tylenol help, but don't take it away, just lessen the pain. For some reason, it gets worse in the evening.
Wow! What kind of surgery? I've never heard of that.
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1 ReactionBella, 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
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3 ReactionsI know what you are going through. I have spent close to 20 per cent of my life in a torture chamber with facial post h
Not. Trigrnimal
I am looking to end my life
I am 76
I cannot go on like this
The OPOIDS wear off and then I’m in agony
I’ll find a way to end my suffering I will
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1 ReactionWhat surgery is this?
@threestooges, living in constant pain is agony. It is driving you to want to end it all. I'm sure you know this already, but you can call or text 988 any time. 988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org
@jimhd and others here have been where you are. Maybe a different path and a different pain. While suicide may be a solitary act, it affects many people.
@threestooges, what or who helps you get through the hard times?
You preacher to the choir Hi Jacqueline it's been 9 1/2 yrs since shingles arrested my body and my life ended . I struggle Lots with depression. Trying 100 things next month trying a different spinal cord stimulator Trial. I live alone and I'm 57 yrs old. All house choirs better get done Sometimes my grandson and help
Please tell me what kind of surgery
Please
Please keep hope. I am suffering to and thinking of ending my life. I’ve only been 6 months but wonder if this is the rest of my life . If so. I don’t want to go on. Please someone out there help us find releif