Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia and Pain

It's been awhile since I have been on here, but I think of all of you often. How is your pain and were you ever successful with the laser red light? I have been swimming all summer, daily and have not had to use the laser light. Our city pool closes the end of August so we shall see how I do. Most likely I will be going back to my laser treatment. Please all who have written me... check in and let me know how you are all doing. I am praying for the best for all of you. Jeri

I have also found that Phentermine 30 mg works great for relieving ALL of the pain, but good luck getting a physician to prescribe it for you. I told my physician about how it helps me, but he will not give me another prescription for it. I understand why, but I wish he could come up with another answer after my swimming for the summer is all over. My red light laser works well, but this prescription is amazing. Oh well, what is life with out some suffering. HAPPY!

I did return the laser light after not getting any relief from it and still
have pain every single day, some days are worse than others, but always
horrible pain🥴 So happy you are pain free these days😊 Bunny❤️

Do you swim or have access to a swimming pool. It really helps me and is so relaxing. So sorry you are still in so much pain. Have you tried Peppermint Oil and/or ice packs?

What I meant was that drug company’s were not interested in research for p h n

I never wanted to meet or know another person suffering from p h n if I did it would make me feel so bad for that person. My situation of chronic torture is bad enough.

What is a Tens Unit?—-I have been taking Gabapentin for spinal stenosis before coming down w Shingles.The Gabapentin was increased for shingles pain, I’m still on it while getting over shingles. Aldo I was not aware of Balance issues as a side effect, which I attributed to my back problem.

Hello @ggb21

A Tens Unit is a product that you can buy over-the-counter at a drug store and it is used by many people with neurological symptoms. Connect has a discussion on Tens Units. Here is a link to the discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tens-units/?pg=3#comment-32077. If you read the posts you will see that some have found it quite helpful and others have not. If nothing else has helped it might be worth a try.

I hope that you are able to find some relief from the shingle's pain. Will you post again with an update on how you are doing?

I used a Tens Machine for years to control back pain with success. The best thing to happen was I had an operation for spinal stenosis in 2007 and have never looked back or needed
anything for pain.
I hope you can find success with pain control.

Rita

A TENS Unit is wonderful. It consists of a small (size of a deck of cards) 9V battery operated unit w 4 sticky electrodes that you place over sore spots for from 20 min up to 12 hours on and 12 hours off. The strong tingling (NEVER PAIN) reduces inflammation which causes pain and speeds healing. I got mine in 2010 for wrist problems and when they were OK started putting it on my lower back. Sacrum and sore muscles at the sides. NEVER directly on the spine or across the skull! It comes with a book. I got mine for under $20 at http://www.tenspros.com - the #3000. You don't need anything more elaborate that than. I'd order extra electrodes to save on later S&H. I sent one to each of my brothers who have bad backs. One bro had shoulder surgery. The PT used one on him. He said he had one at home & was told to USE it.