Chronic Pain After Adult Chicken Pox for 12 years

[Deronda11]

I am a 38yr female who was diagnosed with chickenpox when I was 26. About 3-weeks after I started treatment, I was recovering well. Then one day all that instantly changed. Since that day I have been experiencing stomach pain and bloating; doesn't matter if I eat or not sometimes. Chest pain in various areas. Left arm pain/ache/numbness (on top forearm and last 2 fingers mainly). I caught every bug going around. For the first 5 years after pox all these symptoms were constant. All my limbs felt numb often during the first year after pox. I couldn't lie down in a bed because of the pain in my chest area, so I slept in a chair for 5 years. During years 6-7 I slowly moved back to sleeping in a bed. During years 8-present my symptoms may disappear for a week or a month only to return; sometimes mild, but often severe.  

I went to the ER many times thinking I was having a heart attack. I constantly went to doctors for two years after pox, and they tried many meds and tests. They found nothing. They think I could have a hiatus hernia, but they're not sure. They know I don't have guilian-barre, and they told me it’s in my head. ((????))  It’s NOT in my head! It has ruined my young-adult life. I have done the meds and tests. I have changed diet, went 50% raw as well. I've done all the detoxes and cleanses, the herbs the vitamins and such. I'm tired; it’s been over 12 years with no answer and no relief. The past few months have been very painful; any thoughts? Thank you.

[selmaS]

Hi do u know if it is a form of shingles?

[Deronda11]

It was diagnosed as chicken pox. I never had pox, mumps, measles, etc as a child. After 2 years of ER's, doctors, and tests no one ever mentioned shingles at all. I'm now studing the vagus nevre. thanks for asking.

[FurballsMom]

Have they tried you on Neurontin (Gabapentin)?  That is usually prescribed for nerve pain.  You may benefit from taking Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), which is an anti-oxidant supplement.  Someone else told me about it, and I use it for the nerve pain I get from Fibromyalgia.  She also mentioned an herbal supplement made by Naturway called Leg Veins that she uses.  She also mentioned using Acetyl L Carnitine (kind of expensive) for break through nerve pain.  We both experience the same kind of nerve pain called idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, which means the doctors have no idea why we experience such nerve pain.

I had Shingles only three or four years ago.  I think that's what triggered the nerve pain I experience.  I'm lucky I had only a mild case, but I was still really sick for an entire month of literally being in bed 24/7 with only brief periods of time out of bed.

I would suggest posting your question on the Peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitability forum and the Neurology forum.  Perhaps someone there will have some other ideas.  I hope so, since I can see that your nerve pain is far worse than mine.  I get the pins and needles feeling and hot patches and painful areas all associated with the idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, to name a few of the symptoms.  I've noticed that the ALA helps quite a bit.  It doesn't get rid of the pain entirely, but it does reduce it quite a bit.  And, the good thing about ALA is that if you decide to try it, if used correctly and according to the directions, it won't hurt you, since it's just an anti-oxidant.  But, as with anything, you should be cautioned to only use it according to the directions.

[Deronda11]

ROTFL....I love your name! thank you so much for all the information and advice. i am going to check into what you said. I really appreciate it! I will pray for your complete healing! Agian, thank you.  :-)