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Effectively- post-neuropathy pain after shingles on your head
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Dec 27, 2025 | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
Sorry to hear about your trigeminal neuropathy.
Like a few of the other commenters here I have had trigeminal neuralgia as a result of a bad bout of shingles probably 14years ago now. I was initially put on a healthy dose of Lyrica for about 2 years and that helped a lot. I did decide to stop taking it and I went on a course of applying capsaicin cream 3 times a day for 30mins at a time. I did that for about 3 months.
The pain from the capsaicin cream was so intense I believe it causes your brain to change the way it registers pain and the end result is the pain from the trigeminal neuralgia becomes manageable. I have not taken any Lyrica or medication for 12 years and not applied capsaicin cream for probably 10yrs. While my skin is still hypersensitive in some areas and dull in other areas. I rarely have spikes of pain (maybe once a year for secs) and it has a very, very minor impact on my daily life.
It is tough to keep applying the capsaicin cream but the results were well worth it.
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@psing Having had Post Herpetic Neuralgia (following Shingles) for nearly nine years and I can honestly say, “You have my sympathy and prayers”. This has been a test like no other! It was mistakenly diagnosed as Trigeminal Neuralgia, prior to the manifestation of blisters. I’m very curious about your experience using capsaicin. May I ask if you applied it to your forehead? I can’t imagine smearing it in my hair….and trying to get it washed out….three times @ day. Must admit to being apprehensive about getting it near my eyes. Thanks!