Herpes Zoster causing Nerve Damage?

Posted By Mithranda on June 11, 1998 at 08:20:59:







My doctor had been trying to diagnose the cause of pain which began in the front, lower, left rib cage.  In the last 2 years, it has reached from to back. left & right, as well as the sides where the ribs come together (intercostal?).  After several tests, he ran a blood test and told be it showed I had 'had a severe herpes zoster infection', and that this virus was not causing 'neuritis & neuralgia' or just plain nerve damage.  The only recommendation was to go to a pain clinic and have multiple injections of steriods (most probably prednisone).
I am terrified of needles (as any phlebotomist who has had to stick me), and prednisone makes me 'crazy & violent'.  The only time I was given prednisone, I was required to be babysat for 3 days to be sure I did no harm to myself.  That was embarrassing for a 35 year old! So, as you can see, this option does not work for me.
The pain continues to grow and expand, and interferes with breathing.  The one time I went to the hospital about it, they said my ECG was 'suspicious', then later said it was 'just now normal for me', which I find ludicrous.
Have you heard of Herpes Zoster causing this kind of problem?  What can I do?  Could it be damaging my heart?