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Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia: What helps with Pain?
Has anyone suffered from LONG lasting neuropathic pain as a result of Shingles, and what treatment do you use for the pain? My daughter had shingles at 21, a spinal cord stimulator inserted and removed, many trigger point injections, all of which may have contributed to the thoracic pain she has. She is now 34, and teaches yoga, but is still on a compound prescribed by a pain management Dr. in NYC what is basically Oxy. I am paying for this, since neither she nor her husband can afford it at around $500 a month. She could not find a physician in Fl. I know who would prescribe this medication after 10 years, thus the use of an out of state physician. I do not want to see her suffer, nor can I discuss much with her since we barely speak, but this expense, coupled with paying for asthma inhalers that are expensive is becoming more and more of a strain. Any thoughts for alternatives are appreciated.
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@pschulte Hi can I ask can you put Aspercreme on your eye? as I haven’t tried that for nerve damage on my eye.
Thank you for your reply. Anne
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1 Reaction@burchy2026
I use aspercreme on the top of my forehead and down my the side of my face. Not in my eye
My eye constantly burns. I just found out about aspercreme for another lady on this site.
I have an appointment on 8/14 at John Hopkins for a consultation for pain management. This is horrible.
How are you handling the pain.
Hope you have a good night.
Patti
@pschulte I’ll be praying especially for you on the 14th!
Your RA and necessary oxygen must make all the rest even more unbearable. I think I mentioned that MN MAYO CLINIC addressed my nerve pain with injectable, peripheral nerve, occipital pain blockers (not long lasting or helpful enough to be a solution). In checking, the injections contained: 3ml bupivacaine; 2ml lidocaine; 5mg dexAMETHasone (told it was 6x more potent than prednisone!) That was in March of 2021, so perhaps they have found a better solution by now?!
The sensitivity to light (especially since you’d already had cararact surgery) found me in sunglasses, constantly. I’ve finally stepped up to “progressively tinted” glasses. (Think Johnny Depp’s blue ones…..but mine are brown tint, darker at top…lightening to nearly clear at the bottom.) Sunny days still demand the old sunglasses. One little addition to my life is hats! I have a Frogg Toggs hat that can be soaked in cold water, wrung out, snapped & it will stay cool long enough to go for groceries.
Sending you blessings, Margie
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1 Reaction@pschulte Hi Patti, I did laugh, imagining your forehead full of pain patches😊 Nice try though, I’d not even thought of that! Re: burning eyebrow…yes, that does drive me nuts! My ophthalmologist casually said I could have them tattooed and I guess that would eliminate that repeated irritation, but I fear the permanence of it. I can just imagine having to look like I was alarmed or threatening…all the time. Doing my eyebrows, I feel like I’m using my brothers’ wood burning tool, rather than a simple pencil. Wishing you all the best outcomes at your upcoming appointment! margie
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1 Reaction@margiem
Hi Margie
I haven’t been on the computer for a few days, sorry about that. My PHN has been on overtime for the last week. I guess the "normal burning and stabbing" I somewhat get use to, but when the pounding and burning and stabbing go in to overdrive, I sometimes can't even think. Once in a while when I get up the nerve, I try to shape up my eyebrow. It almost does me in. I refuse to take prednisone anymore. I was on and off it for 10 years because none of the medications would work for the RA pain and I had to get to work. I had 2 surgeries for thoracic back fractures and lost 5 inches in height. I had to get a couple pairs of jeans, because now I look like a hobo in mine.
I do have a goofy sense of humor on your 1st message "Frogg Toggs hat that can be soaked in cold water, wrung out" (I thought at first it said frog toes that can be soaked in cold water, wrung out). I thought wait a minute I better go back and read that again (Smile) I have a eye patch over my reading glasses for the computer. The light really bothers me. Tomorrow is my appointment. If there is any new or wonderful that will help us. I will be back on her it a hot minute. Tomorrow is just consultation, so I'm sure they won't do anything. I hate that we both have this, but it sure is nice to have you to talk to who knows what this feels like. Sending prayers and hugs to you. Sorry for the delay in answering.
Patti