Post herpatic neuralgia

[taylormade]

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?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

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

[shawnalb]

can anyone tell me why i can NEVER seem to find the right time to post a ? on here? i really have a concern...

[dollhog]

Aren't the doctors on this forum supposed to answer the question? I see the last several questions have only answers from other posters. I would prefer an answer from the medical professionals.

[Kim32789]

To Shawn, the doctors don't normally read the threads like what you posted on but I have submitted questions before, Florida time...I tried from 8:00...every minute and finally got in at around 8:10 or so..they say they change the times...did this twice.

Also, the doctors do answer the questions on this forum but it normally takes a few days to get your question answered.

[shawnalb]

ok what is florida time opposed to indiana? behind or forward
a few hours i know? i have tried for weeks.

[Christie2004]

Shawnab,
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!

[shawnalb]

christie-  yea it's darn near impossible to get a post.
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.

[kourt]

HELLO MY NAME IS CHRISTINA IM VERY SCARED AND CONCERNED THESE ARE MY SYMPTOMS IF ANYONE CAN HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW.....PRESSURE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY HEAD ONLY. FACIAL TINGLING ONLY ON LEFT SIDE NEAR JAW AND LIP ON AND OFF ALL DAY EVERY DAY -FATIGUE..... IM VERY SCARED ALSO IN MY EAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE IT FEEL LIKE WATER IN IT CRACKLING WHEN  I STRAIN IT...BUT THE DOCTOR SAYS NO FLUID OR WATER...I HAD A CT SCAN IT WAS NEGATIVE AND I GO FOR A MRI WEDNESDAY....AND A EEG OF THE BRAIN THEY PUT ME ON ZANEX FOR ANXIETY BUT IT REALLY HASNY HELPED     I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS THANK YOU.....

[pathfinder1971]

Hello, my name is Linda. Five years ago I had an accident;I got up from bed to go to the bathroom, I collapsed, I lost urine; my father lifted me up but It took me several minutes to regain consciousness. I had dysarthtia and anisocoria. Since then I experience vision loss and suffer from a pain in my left eye and ear. I also have a pinch at the left side of my head (where the optic nerve lies)Could you please help me; is that pain a neuralgia and how can it be seasured?



Thank you in advance

Linda

[LOST DAUGHTER]

MY MOM IS A 81 YEAR OLD FEMAIL WHO DEVELOPED SHINGLES ON HER HEAD NECK AND CHEST 6 WEEKS AGO THE PAIN HAS BEEN UNBEARABLE NOW HOWEVER ALL THE LESIONS ARE GONE AND SHE HAS DEVELOPED SEVERE HIP PAIN AND HAS LOST SOME BLADDER CONTROL.  sHE WAS PLACED ON ZOVIRAX AND VICOIN THE 24 HOUS AGO PLACED ON NEUOTIN AND FLEXERIL. TODAY I INSISTED THAT SHE BE ADMITTED FOR ALEAST PAIN MANAGEMENT.  ANY DIRECTION YOU CAN GIVE ME.  sHE LIVES IN A SMALL TOWN I HAVE ASED FOR NEROLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONSULTS I HOPE THIS WAS APPROPRIATE.  PLEASE HELP I MEET WITH THE DOCTORS TOMORROW.  WHAT SHOULD I EXPEXT