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Postherpetic Neuralgia (Shingles): Any successful treatment?
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Nov 16 3:18pm | Replies (133)Comment receiving replies
@ruthec
I just stumbled across this support group and feel encouraged just knowing you are out there. I’m an 82 yr old woman and had shingles in early September. Terribly painful and turned into PHN. Otherwise I’m in good health although have had various illnesses as I’ve aged. The PHN is across my shoulder blade area, armpit and across upper chest. Generally a burning pain with spikes of stabbing pain. I’m currently on gabapentin 600 mg and Tylenol. I was tried on supplemental Nortriptyline and also Tylenol with codeine. Both had unpleasant side effects so stopped. Can’t take Advil because on an anticoagulant. I’m feeling very discouraged as I realize this could continue such a long time! I look fine and people don’t realize how hard chronic pain is. I’m wondering how much gabapentin others have found helpful. When I increased my dose, I felt light headed and unsteady. Help?
Replies to "@ruthec I just stumbled across this support group and feel encouraged just knowing you are out..."
Welcome @ruthec, I'm happy to see that you have already connected with @layla123 and received some tips on how to manage the shingles related pain. You might also find it helpful to scan through other discussions on managing gabapentin side effects. Here's a search link that lists the different discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/.
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@ruthec
Hi, I had a very bad case of Shingles at the end of April 2024. It settled into the areas where I had had previous surgery: right middle back, right side under arm and under right breast to middle of stomach. I now have PHN. I take Gabapentin 300mg 3x day lidocaine patches as needed. Sometimes a Tramadol. I find exercise and yoga to be my best friends. I get a massage quite often. At first I couldn’t let anything or anyone touch me, but it’s tolerable now. I am going to try physical therapy soon. You might ask your doctor to switch to Lyrica it sometimes works better than gabapentin. Weather affects mine.
I’m 73 years old in good health. I try to keep optimistic, but it is a really tough sometimes. I know what you are going through. I just keep on walking, exercising and yoga these things keep my sprits up.