Shingles is there any help?

Hi Jennyfer,
What an awful ordeal you have gone through! I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you have a primary care doctor that you could go to? Someone needs to get this situation straightened out for you. I'm 79 and had shingles a few months ago but I had no pain so I'm not sure if this diagnosis was correct. However I did have a lot of little sores on my face. My doctor prescribed Acyclovir 800 mg. which worked great! The sores on my face went away. I don't know if it would help get rid of pain since I didn't have any.

Another thing that always helps me is prayer. God is there for us. He made you and he can fix you! Just put everything in God's hands and it will work out fine. I'll say a prayer for you also.
I wish you the best.
PML

Researching articles to suggest further treatment for your debilitating painful scalp condition which has now continued for nearly two years:
Here’s the revised one-page doctor handout — updated to reflect that Lyrica didn’t work and to emphasize alternative, evidence-based options.
It’s concise, clinic-ready, and includes peer-reviewed citations.
Post-Shingles Nerve Pain (Postherpetic Neuralgia) — Next-Step Treatment Plan
Patient note:
Two years after shingles on my scalp, I still have burning and itching pain. I previously tried Lyrica (pregabalin) without relief. I’d like to review other approaches supported by recent research in older adults.
1️⃣ New England Journal of Medicine (2017)
Dworkin RH, Johnson RW, et al. “Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia.”
NEJM 2017; 377: 763–772.
Key findings:
• PHN is caused by nerve damage from the shingles virus.
• If pregabalin fails, gabapentin or a tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline / nortriptyline) is recommended.
• Combining an oral agent with topical lidocaine improves outcomes and limits systemic side effects.
2️⃣ Pain Medicine (2021)
Johnson RW, Rice ASC, et al. “Evidence-Based Algorithm for the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: Updated Consensus Recommendations.”
Pain Medicine 2021; 22 (10): 2321–2333.
Key findings:
• Supports multimodal therapy: topical + systemic drugs.
• Notes duloxetine as a good alternative to tricyclics for neuropathic pain in older adults.
• Endorses adding alpha-lipoic acid and B-vitamins for nerve recovery.⸻
3️⃣ Drugs & Aging (2023)
Baron R, Attal N, et al. “Management of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Older Adults: Current Therapies and Emerging Options.”
Drugs & Aging 2023; 40: 1–15.
Key findings:
• Combination therapy remains standard: gabapentin ± duloxetine or amitriptyline + lidocaine 5 % patch/gel.
• Highlights low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and nerve-block injections for resistant pain.
• Emphasizes careful dose titration to reduce dizziness and fall risk.
Based on these journal articles:
Summary to Discuss with Doctor:
Evidence-supported next steps:
• Replace Lyrica with Gabapentin, titrated slowly.
• Add Topical Lidocaine 5 % patch or gel for the scalp area.
• If still painful:
• Consider Duloxetine 30 mg daily or low-dose Amitriptyline 10–25 mg at bedtime.
• Support with Alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg, Methyl-B12, Omega-3s, Magnesium glycinate.
• If inadequate relief: refer for Pain-management or Neurology evaluation — possible nerve-block or LLLT therapy.
Goal:
Reduce chronic scalp pain and improve sleep and quality of life through layered therapy with the lowest effective doses.
(All medication changes should be cleared by both your cardiologist and primary physician due to medical history. )
You’ve been through an incredible amount, and it sounds like you’re doing your best with very little relief. The journal reviews I shared show there are still several options worth revisiting — especially gabapentin, duloxetine, or topical lidocaine, sometimes used together. If you can, print them for your doctor and ask, ‘Are there any of these approaches we could still try?’ Many people only find relief after testing different combinations.”

@pml Hi PLM Thanks for your message. Due to the circumstances that the Cardio and the Pulmonologist and could not figure out my pain, and due the dermatologist stupidity
it was according to the doctor much to late to take the Acyclovir.
By by
J

I also have Postherpetic Neuralgia and have had shingles in my scalp. Valacyclovir helps the episodes and I also take a smaller dose daily to ward off future episodes since I've had quite a few.

For the Postherpetic Neuralgia, I am now on 90mg of duloxetine and use lidocaine patches as necessary. They do make an ointment that might be easier for the scalp area. Physical Therapy has helped tremendously as well, I've learned what to do to get the nerve pain to subside in most cases -- it doesn't always work.

Gabapentin worked for me when I experienced post-herpetic neuralgia.