Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia: What helps with Pain?

I have been suffering for 13 years. I am in hell from PHN.
I have not tried a nerve block.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Hi tikigod18,

I have used Naturopathic advice since the 1980's so find natural remedies and lifestyle changes to be the best. Re: shingles, I have had them three times. The first two no problem - took the anti-viral and did the following: ate foods high in L-Lysine which calms shingles + avoided foods high in L-Arginine an amino acid that encourages shingles. Then on top of that I looked at the stressors in my life and worked to bring serenity and calmness to my life.

Fast forward to covid: stressed, I was older, had the shot and got shingles a third time (my ND said a downside of the covid shots was they will promote more invasions to our bodies like shingles). I was miserable for almost three weeks unlike the other cases. My MD said get a shot in three years but said it doesn't cover all kinds of shingles so you can get them again anyway. My ND supports eating high L-lysine foods and even taking a powdered supplement if needed + avoiding STRESS + eating less or even stopping intake of high L-Arginine foods for a time.

Factors that contribute to shingles:
*High levels of arginine or histidine compete with lysine
absorption and deplete lysine. They share common pathways in the body. Additionally, conditions like carnitine deficiency can also impact lysine levels.
*Carnitine Deficiency: Low levels can decreased fatty acid transport, potentially affecting lysine levels and causing symptoms like muscle weakness or fatigue.
*Stress: May also play a role in depleting lysine levels.
*Aminoglycoside Antibiotics: Antibiotics (like gentamicin or neomycin) can increase risk of toxicity when used with lysine.
BEST OPTIONS:
*A diet high in lysine-rich foods (like meat, fish, and dairy) Look up comparison charts of L-Lysine and L-Arginine
*Evaluate stressors and lifestyle

Best of luck sleuthing your bodies unique needs for less to no pain!
@farmersmith

Isn't gabapentin addicting?

@sw2043
It could be in some people. Never was for me and I took doses up to the daily maximum of 3,600 mg. It is a schedule 5 drug in some states. I think it may have been given that designation because people use gabapentin to enhance the effect of illicit drugs.
Althoughit wasn't addi give to me, I have to taper off any antiseizure drugs because of the danger of Statis Epilepticus (l have epilepsy) seizures that don't stop without medical intervention. As far as seizure medications are concerned, gabapentin is one of if not the weakest of the approx 30+ different ones.
Take care,
Jake

My Son had a spinal cord simulator put in in his back about ten years ago, it got infected, they took so long removing it he is now paralyzed from the waste down. Most days he can’t even hold a cup of coffee without spilling it. He is 44 years old, now in a wheelchair living in a nursing home because I can’t take care of him. I would never recommend the stimulator to anyone.

I am experiencing PHN. I take 4-5 100mg Gabapentin plus an OTC sleep aide, but I mostly have sleepless nights. Plus, I can't sleep on my back because the pain is right under the inner part of my left breast and it goes through to my back. This causes pain to the back part when I breathe in and the location of the pain is numb. I've put lodacaine patches on the back but that gives almost no relief and I've put Volfenac Gel for the section under my breast. I'm so tired of this pain that I don't know what else to do. So, I looked at this site and pray that some medical professional can provide relief. I pray for all.

May I ask why you say basically Oxy. My neurologists or pain management will not prescribe any narcotics and they will never be effective long term because of the addiction and the side effects. Also I tried a compound that came out of Florida, expensive but not $500. It did not work for me but I am not a doctor by any means. Has she had a complete work up with a neurologist?

I have had PHN for about 20 years on my back. It comes every 2/3 months and lasts about a fortnight. Very, very painful. No medications help other than liquid morphine which has only been prescribed when I have had hip hip surgery. I find a tens machine the most helpful but it can't be used continuously. Would like strong CBD oil but it's very expensive.

Hi all,
I have postherpetic neuralgia. The pain and burning are terrible. Mine actually started in my eye. Since November 21, 2024 I have had this pain and was hospitalized because I ended up with Encephalitis. My opthamologist is working on my eye. I can see out of it just a bit now. The pain and burning in my head and eye are horrible. The nerves are so messed up. My head feels numb, but burns and still get stabbing pains. Washing and drying my hair is so painful. I don't think I will ever be able to get my hair cut again. I was wondering if anyone used the Cold light therapy around or directed at you eye. My Neuralgia it exactly half of the right side of my face that is in pain. I try the link, but it does not work anymore. I looked on Amazon for the Cold laser therapy but don't know what one is the correct one. Could some one direct me to the cold laser you have been using that works. I need all of the help I can get. Thank you.

@pschulte You have my prayers this morning !
Having shingles in Jan 2017, and dealing with such similar problems, I just need to tell you that you aren’t alone….and we’ll all, somehow, get through this together. My eye doctor did an amniotic disc implant, which helped the scarring. It was like wearing a contact lense and was painless. My sister came up with a shampoo at a Health Supplement Store (it worked, using cool water). I do still put off haircuts longer than I should! Ice packs help & I have a refreezeable one called a Headache Halo (Amazon) that helps to get to sleep. This is an “I can do this!” situation.
All the best, margie