1. < Brain & Nervous System

Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia and Pain

Posted by tikigod18 @tikigod18, Jan 13, 2019

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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csteel | @csteel | Sep 23, 2020
In reply to @gmaw4 "I had shingles in 2004 and have chronic pain. Spend most of my day in bed,..." + (show)
@gmaw4

I had shingles in 2004 and have chronic pain. Spend most of my day in bed, in pain and am exhausted. New pain management doctor said I should stop taking methadone. I did. Also stopped Norco, Lyrica, Cymbalta... everything except vitamin B12 monthly injections. I used a spinal cord stimulator for 5 years and had it removed. I’ve been on Medical Marijuana since 12/28/2018. Not a great help after one month. Will continue. Now checking into Stem Cell Therapy. It’s been difficult finding someone with ongoing shingles pain. After 14+ years you are the second person I’ve located. Mine is on the right torso front, side and back. It is the complete area. I’ve had many nerve ablations, injections, appointments with “healers”, chiropractors, acupuncturist and neurologists. My right side spasms often and you can see where the side draws in when this happens. I’m just sorry you are so young. Have you checked into Stem Cell Therapy? I use a cream that has THC and CBD oil. Seems to help a bit. Also tried a product called NERVE RENEW - no change. I also have Crohn’s Disease, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, fatty liver... Still hoping to find pain relief.

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Chronic pain is very difficult to deal with, you mentioned you had been to Chiropractors, have they ever place you on a hydro therapy message table? This could be very beneficial for your Chronic pain, as well as relaxed the body and mind.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 23, 2020
In reply to @csteel "Chronic pain is very difficult to deal with, you mentioned you had been to Chiropractors, have..." + (show)
@csteel

Chronic pain is very difficult to deal with, you mentioned you had been to Chiropractors, have they ever place you on a hydro therapy message table? This could be very beneficial for your Chronic pain, as well as relaxed the body and mind.

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Hello @csteel,

Your post about chronic paain and hydro therapy massage table was interesting. After using the hydro therapy massage how long does the releft last?

Is your chronic pain related to Shingles or some other pain condition?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 24, 2020

I have a question for all of those in the Shingles discussion. I've been taking Gabapentin for several weeks now and it certainly does help with the nerve pain related to Shingles. I would certainly like to decrease the dose (or stop altogether) because of some of the side effects which include balance problems. Has anyone tried a Tens unit for Shingles pain? If so, what was your opinion?

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jerid | @jerid | Sep 24, 2020

Has anyone tried Red Light Therapy? It is something new that I just found out about and it is safe to use any where on the body. I am checking into it as of right now.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 24, 2020
In reply to @jerid "Has anyone tried Red Light Therapy? It is something new that I just found out about..." + (show)
@jerid

Has anyone tried Red Light Therapy? It is something new that I just found out about and it is safe to use any where on the body. I am checking into it as of right now.

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@jerid By any chance, have you tried a Tens Unit?

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jerid | @jerid | Sep 24, 2020

No I will have to look this one up. The Hartford Medical Center uses the Red Light or HILT High Intensity Light Therapy with amazing results. Please google.

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jerid | @jerid | Sep 24, 2020

No I have not. The Hartford Medical Center is using the Red Light Therapy and having good results with it.

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bunnyp | @bunnyp | Oct 12, 2020

I have nerve damage from Shingles every day for almost 3 years now with no relief! Have lately heard about a Light Laser therapy and wondering if Mayo Clinic does this?

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 12, 2020
In reply to @bunnyp "I have nerve damage from Shingles every day for almost 3 years now with no relief!..." + (show)
@bunnyp

I have nerve damage from Shingles every day for almost 3 years now with no relief! Have lately heard about a Light Laser therapy and wondering if Mayo Clinic does this?

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Hi @bunnyp and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your question about treating nerve damage from shingles with laser therapy to this existing discussion called "Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia and Pain." I did this so you can connect with others like @hopeful33250 @paulbklyn @manila and others. In particular, @jerid has spoken about his experience with low level laser therapy (LLLT). Click VIEW & REPLY to read through past posts.

While we wait for others to chime in, you might be interested in this article:
- Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia With Low Level Laser Therapy https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/complementary/lasers/treatment-postherpetic-neuralgia-low-level-laser-therapy

Bunny, what treatments have you tried to date?

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shag | @shag | Oct 12, 2020
In reply to @cdcc "I had trigeminal nerve shingles six years ago, I’m luck I’m not blind. I ended up..." + (show)
@cdcc

I had trigeminal nerve shingles six years ago, I’m luck I’m not blind. I ended up with severe itch, eye, forehead to the town of my head which I still suffer with today, it’s horrible I never get a full nights sleep. I saw neurosurgeons at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, had nerve block done walked out itching my head and crying. So they put me on Lyrica which really did not help bu5 I countinued to take it til 10 months ago when I decided to come off it because I lost six teeth. Now I suffer with severe withdrawal panic, anxiety and agoraphobia. I had to go to a therapist because of suicidal thoughts, but I’m doing much better. I don’t like pharmaceutical drugs anymore, my suggestion for your daughter would be either medical marijuana or maybe CBD oil or CBD gummy’s without THC which you can buy anywhere or order on line. I’ve been using this and it really helps along with the vitamin GABA calm which really has worked numbers. If she chooses to stay in the pharmaceutical drug then I would call the maker and see about getting a coupon to help with the cost. My Lyrica was $300 a month and I got a $30 coupon for a year which saved me a lot of money.

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I have a lot more than that , just need the time to concentrate ,and offer along experience with symptoms are 24/7 , medications ,mistakes ,pain ,cost which unbeatable.i am trying to go to Mayo Clinic as my last resort . Cost and Covid are, the problem .
However , Generic medications somehow make my life worst , simply doesn’t work on me . Lyrica ,antidepressants,clonazepam ,are main medication.my advise will be posted ASA I can , including how this whole thing changed my life .
It started with shingles while in Europe , no clear diagnoses due to the Nr of symptoms and burning sensations , head ,back ,legs and hands . Neurologists , that I have seen ,??? Just not lucky at all . My primary is great , but he can only do so much .had all the scanning possible . All the best to all of you ,hoping you will recover soon .i feel bad for those who have to wait between appointments, can’t afford the medication which much cheaper abroad.God bless

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