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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Post herpatic neuralgia
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Post herpatic neuralgia
by taylormade, Jun 07, 2005 12:00AM
My father-in-law is 82 and has had the neuralgia from shingles for 3 years. It is on his scalp on the left side of his head, and very painful. We have tried nerve blocks, TENS and large amounts of pain meds. The meds just make him sleep but doesn't really control the pain. An ENT doctor said he could inject alcohol into the nerve and kill it removing the pain. Is this safe? None of his other doctors have suggested this and this doctor stated he had done this before and there was nothing to it. I am skeptical. Please advise if this is acceptable treatment?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Jun 09, 2005 12:00AM
this is a known treatment to treat chronic intractable nerve pain, and is called alcohol ablation - the injection of alcohol essentially kills the nerve at that point, hopefully reducing or ceasing the pain from that nerve. With a superficial nerve near the surface such as on the scalp it should be relatively easy to do. Results may vary though and it does not gaurantee pain freedom ( I do not know your father-in-law's case so cannot comment on his speciifc suitability for this procedure). There are also few complications, discuss this with his doctor
Good luck
Good luck
Also, the doctors do answer the questions on this forum but it normally takes a few days to get your question answered.
a few hours i know? i have tried for weeks.
You can usually get in from 8a-10 or 11am EST. Yes, you may have to try for a long time. It's just luck of the draw who gets in. Then you may have to wait several days for an answer.
It's usually better if you have a specific concern or question just to bite the bullet and go to the doctor and ask. The doctor here can only answer in generalities...he/she cannot give you anything specific relating to your particular case, as they are not your doctor. Often, generalities are good, but probably more often it is frustrating.
If your doctor isn't giving you answers, get another opinion.
Keep trying--you'll get in eventually!
no it was a general concern. i have a dr appt. but he's a gen medical dr. i want an opinion of a specialist. ive read the threads, some are helpful, but still can't find a post that's really close to the questions i have enough to just go off theirs. i'll keep trying.
Thank you in advance
Linda