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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Does herpes cause post-herpetic neuralgia?
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Does herpes cause post-herpetic neuralgia?
by maggie, Feb 22, 2000 12:00AM
I broke out in a rash on my buttocks (one check, in the center of it). The rash started with a knife stabbing pain in that area, that was extremely painful. Then my bladder went into severe spasms for about 3 weeks. I had itching and numbing all, and I mean "all", over my body and dizziness that made the floor move. Occasionally, I felt like throwing up. I had never been so miserable in my life. Next the rash came. It did not come all at once. One bump would appear, then 3 days later another, and this continued til I had about 5 bumps. The rash never hurt. I did not have burning when I urinated and there was no vaginal discharge. I assumed that I had shingles and a bladder infection, since the urine showed white blood cells. A year later I am still suffering with burning and numbing about 50% of the time. (it used to be all of the time) The rash has come back, after having 3 days of nausea. My question to you is this: Could this be herpes simplex and could it cause this terrible neuralgia that I am feeling? Or, could I possibly still be fighting the shingles? From everything I have read, my symptoms fit the shingles, not herpes. Oh, by the way, I have NEVER had this bumps on my private parts. Thanks you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Feb 23, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Maggie:
Yes, shingles could give you symptoms as you described. Was there a preceding illness or stressor before the initial neuralgia? There is always the possibility that you could have HSV II or genital herpes, but your lifestyle would give you an indication as well as vaginal lesions. I would lean toward the shingles. Usually, we do not see shingles unless there is stress, disease (diabetes etc) or other illness. This would be especially true for someone who is young. But, we have plenty of patients who are young and have shingles. I hope things start to clear up for you.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Yes, shingles could give you symptoms as you described. Was there a preceding illness or stressor before the initial neuralgia? There is always the possibility that you could have HSV II or genital herpes, but your lifestyle would give you an indication as well as vaginal lesions. I would lean toward the shingles. Usually, we do not see shingles unless there is stress, disease (diabetes etc) or other illness. This would be especially true for someone who is young. But, we have plenty of patients who are young and have shingles. I hope things start to clear up for you.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Yes, I had a bladder infection and was under a lot of stress at the time I got what I believe to be the shingles.
No, I have never had lesions anywhere but on the buttocks.
Question is: Could herpes cause neuralgia that lasts 18 months, and numbing? And could herpes have come on with all of the symptoms I described, such as dizziness, nausea, bladder contractions, itching all over body, knife-stabbing pain and very, very ill? Would they be on the buttocks cheek?
Thanks. Maggie
Everything but the itching all over the body, is likely with shingles. I am not sure why the itching. Although 18 months is a very long time, I guess it is possible if the symptoms were episodic and not continuous. I would not think this was all due to the shingles, especially if you received antiviral treatment. It is the duration of the symptoms that is alittle puzzling, unless you have a immunological disease that makes you immunocompromised.
Sorry, I'm not much help. If the symptoms did not go away in 18 months then the answer is that something else is going on, but if the symptoms were episodic during the 18 months then it is possible that it is just shingles.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
I would see your family physician.
CCF Neuro MD
I have not seen shingles on the bottom of the feet, but I see no reason why it could not happen. Next time you see vessicles then go to the doctor and have him/her culture them for Herpes, that will solve that issue. Although shingles is a painful disease, it is usually a relapsing and remitting expression of virus. Although it is possible that it could occur and induce continual symptoms, it usually does not. Small fiber neuropathy is likely the entity but what is the etiology. I can't answer that for you as I have no exam or labs to go by.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD