Shingles Support Group

If you have any information on treatments that actually work, PLEASE HELP. This just drives me nuts. I had shingles on my forehead and in my left eye. Now, a year later, the nerves in my eye and in all the surrounding area, from my nose, to my ear, to the top of my head, itch intensely, and sometimes have stabbing pain. I am taking Lyrica (100 ng x 3), which helps, but there must be something better. I was recently referred to a neurologist who handed me some pills that he had received from a \"pill peddler,\" but when I looked them up online (Trileptal), I really got scared to take them, and now have my doubts as to his concern.

Please, give me some ideas of what to do for this problem.

Gloria

I've used Neurontin and it CURED the pain. I have neuralgia in my leg. However, I had to keep increasing the dosage and then after some time (maybe 3-4 months) it quit working. I'm going to a pain clinic soon and have hears about Lidoderm patchs. You couldn't use them on your face, but it would work maybe for other body parts. I think the neuralgia in my leg is related to other problems than the shingles though.

I get shingles frequently from being diabetic and I get them in a "sensitive" area of my body. I've not had the post herpetic neuralgia in the area and pray that I never do.

Good luck to you.

Angel
www.mtworkathome.com
www.mtacc.net
www.cwahm.com

I didn't need it, thankfully, but I know the doc who treated my shingles firmly believes in Neurontin for PHN. I was very happy with her treatment of my shingles, and I have no reason to doubt her when she sings Neurontin's praises.

Your case sounds like mine. I got shingles Aug. 2006 on my left side of my foreheadon my eyebrow and into my left eye. I had a very bad case and then post neuralgia set in and I still have it. I could not tolerate Trileptal, gave me terrible shakes, Cymbalta just about drove me crazy..sweats, couldn"t sleep nor eat...I am now still on 3 lyrica a day(down from 6) plus 2 Nortrityline(10 mg.) at nite. I still have to take a half a percaset on occasion when the pain gets bad. I also get terrible itching on my face and scalp. However, I have come a long way and I am very hopeful that I will vastly improve over the next 2 to 3 months. I pray a lot. I am a senior and that's then you can really get it bad...but if there is anything further and more details you would like to know, I'd be happy to give you my experiences. Dodo

I'm not sure - lots of people seem to be from America, where the drugs all have different names - but I had PHN and was prescribed amitriptyline, and I've been painfree ever since. (Well, you know, except for one incredibly stressful week where I had another outbreak and some minor - very minor - pain.)

I did have success with Lyrica but couldn't afford it so I opted for the tier 1 drug Neurontin and have had success as well

I'm on Neurontin and I'm very pleased with it. Without it, the pain comes back within a day and I'm back on the floor, unable to do anything at all. Before that I was given Darvocet, which worked for a few days, but then I got really nauseus and itchy and couldn't take it anymore. The only side effect from the Neurontin I noticed was being very tired, but now that I'm used to it, it's not an issue anymore, and I sleep alot better now, too.

Hi everyone ! I am new to the community. I have been suffering from phn for 2 years now and my doctor as well as my neurologist have tried all sorts of therapies including different anti depressents, opid pain killers, topical ointments, lyrica, neurontin, pregabalin, gabapentin and so many other treatments I cannot remember. I even went as far as trying botox therapy. My phn covers the right side of my face and top of my head. Its been very painful and just recently I was refered to a Pain Clinic. The doctor started me on lidocaine infusions. I just had my first infusion yesterday. It took 5 hours. I didnt have to stay in hospital.. I just stuffed the bottle into my fanny pack and left. It seems to be working. The pain and itch, creepy crawly sensation and those electrical shocks seem too have subsided. The doctor recommends a minimum of 4 treatments too see if it works or not before trying other therapies. He also wants me to go on methadone for the pain.