Postherpetic Neuralgia

[shingaling]

I originally posted this on November 17, 2008 and was looking forward to someone, somewhere having answers.  to date, i have not received any information either from a person with same symptoms or from a physician.  am i doing something wrong in presenting my history.  my status to date is i now have an appointment with a neuralogist in march at the U of P.  hope he can help.  good luck to anyone else searching for answers, i know i tired.  thanks for taking the time to read.  

November 2008
Please, please help…….  I developed shingles in August of 2006.  I was in Virginia but went immediately (next day) to local hospital and was given all appropriate medications, acyclovir, prednisone, antibiotic, and oxycodone.  I was on these medications for approx. two weeks, needless to say sick to stomach all the time.  The shingles disappeared, pain on touch lessened but deep aching, sometimes striking, pain persisted.  Returning to penna. I went to family physician and was put on Lyrica 75mg. twice a day and percodan as needed.

After several months on this medication, Lyrica, Dr. increased to 75mg. 4x’s per day (300 daily).  Stayed at this level again for several months, no appreciable difference.  During this time I was also put on Lidocaine patches, tried several creams, and sent to a pain management physician.  There I received 2 injections of corticosteroid med.  With not having any results, a third injection was not offered.  Again, several more months went by and agreed to go to out-patient rehabilitation center.  Went three times a week, two hours each.  Treatment involved 1 hour in hot water pool (felt great but, of course, only lasted a few hours) and 1 hour in gym.  I did this for 2-1/2 months with no appreciable results.

I have asked many, many questions from physicians, pharmacist, physical therapist and anyone else who could possibly have some answers.  Even investigated clinicaltrials.gov to see if there was a study going on for “postherpetic neuralgia”.  No luck.

Now family physician gave me info in regard to auricular acupuncture.  No one seems to know a lot about this mechanism (behind ear with pressure points).  I use to see an acupuncturist and will try again to see if she can help.  My point on pain starts T5, T6 area on left side, travels around rib/back, under left breast and stops mid chest.

Now being told to again increase Lyrica to 600 mg. a day!!!!  I don’t like this since taking this med for two years with no appreciable results but afraid to stop with no other alternative.  Need help in Pennsylvania…
I have tried everything, went on every web site and finally, found you.  can't wait for someone to help with some advice on where to go, who to see, what to do.  Thank you, thank you

[shingaling]

I have asked for an answer since November 2008.  I again posted with no results from any Physician.  What do I do now?  I have seen a neurologist and all he had to offer was a Drug (Tegretol).  Oh Well.

Thanks.

[mini_d]

Dear Shingaling,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. All the medications that you have taken are appropriate for the problem that you have. There is currently not much work going on regarding the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, mainly because long term pain is not a common thing.

I would suggest that you try alternative systems of medicine as they offer the best hope for your problem. My grandfather also had a similar problem and he suffered on and off with it for quite some time. So, please try other systems of medicines, but do not get your hopes up as yu mayhave to learn to live with it.