Shingles Support Group
Herpes zoster, colloquially known as shingles, is the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, leading to a crop of painful blisters over the area of a dermatome. It occurs very rarely in children and adults, but its incidence is high in the elderly (over 60), as well as in any age group of immunocompromised patients.
Hi, Y'All!
Just joined today to find advice for helping my mother (not uncommon).
Seen some outstanding comments from Lotusbud1 that I really appreciate!
I never realized that shingles was anything other than a VERY painful skin problem. And I am a Biologist... and more.
About 5 weeks ago my mother began experiencing symptoms of sciatica (basically, her back and right leg hurt). We figured she twisted it, because she is/was a very active 78 yr old lady. She even delivered "Meals On Wheels" that day, as she did weekly.
Then she developed a bit of a rash on her lower back. The pain continued so I got her to the Doc.
He said shingles.
I never realized it could affect the deep nerves the way it does! That information should be disseminated!
Anyway. The Zostavax was quite effective in suppressing the obvious outbreak in pretty short order. But the neuropathy left behind is pretty devastating.
She can get around the house by using a cane and moving slowly and carefully. But outside the house, she uses the cane and has to hang tightly onto me.
She has had incidents of falling in the house (scares the heck out of me).
She describes the foot as "walking on a wire brush" though she also claims she cannot actually feel it. The worst problem is that she does not appear to be able to really lift it (pronation?) and so she tends to drag the toe and trip unless she uses a really crazy gate, which she can't seem to get the hang of. The foot also points off at a more extreme outward angle. So it's a sensory. motor and postural nerve problem. Can't get much worse, in my mind.
OK. Those are the symptoms and stuff. My question is, how long might this persist (knowing it could be permanent)? And has anyone experienced/heard of therapies that might hasten possible healing?
Addressing Lotusbud1, your own trials sound similar. Hope you've found some help or relief. And thanks for your earlier posts.
Just joined today to find advice for helping my mother (not uncommon).
Seen some outstanding comments from Lotusbud1 that I really appreciate!
I never realized that shingles was anything other than a VERY painful skin problem. And I am a Biologist... and more.
About 5 weeks ago my mother began experiencing symptoms of sciatica (basically, her back and right leg hurt). We figured she twisted it, because she is/was a very active 78 yr old lady. She even delivered "Meals On Wheels" that day, as she did weekly.
Then she developed a bit of a rash on her lower back. The pain continued so I got her to the Doc.
He said shingles.
I never realized it could affect the deep nerves the way it does! That information should be disseminated!
Anyway. The Zostavax was quite effective in suppressing the obvious outbreak in pretty short order. But the neuropathy left behind is pretty devastating.
She can get around the house by using a cane and moving slowly and carefully. But outside the house, she uses the cane and has to hang tightly onto me.
She has had incidents of falling in the house (scares the heck out of me).
She describes the foot as "walking on a wire brush" though she also claims she cannot actually feel it. The worst problem is that she does not appear to be able to really lift it (pronation?) and so she tends to drag the toe and trip unless she uses a really crazy gate, which she can't seem to get the hang of. The foot also points off at a more extreme outward angle. So it's a sensory. motor and postural nerve problem. Can't get much worse, in my mind.
OK. Those are the symptoms and stuff. My question is, how long might this persist (knowing it could be permanent)? And has anyone experienced/heard of therapies that might hasten possible healing?
Addressing Lotusbud1, your own trials sound similar. Hope you've found some help or relief. And thanks for your earlier posts.
To answer your 2 questions:
1. How long might this (PHN) persist? It varies greatly, from one person to another, as to the length of recovery time for Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN), or the nerve damage caused by the virus. The best way to approach this is to look at the statistics. There is a clear connection between the development of PHN and age. Those who experience a shingles outbreak over the age of 60 have a 40% chance of developing the condition while those under 60 have only a 10% chance. The length of PHN also appears to increase with increasing age. It has also been noted that those with a distinct prodromal stage (the tingling or burning sensations felt just before a shingles outbreak) had a higher incidence of PHN development. Women also seem to have a higher chance for developing PHN, but it may just be that they report symptoms more often than men. An important statistic to remember is that 99% of all cases of PHN come to complete resolution with 12 months, with the median between 2 to 3 months. There are some in this support group that are a part of the 1% that go beyond a year. So, always remember that statistics are on your mother's side.
2. Therapies that might hasten possible healing? I have read so many theories, but I am inclined to believe that a healthy lifestyle (exercise and nutritious diet) with PLENTY of rest will provide the most benefit. Also, extra vitamin B-12 seems to help somewhat. However, I think REST is the most important factor, so that your body can heal itself.
Good luck to your mom in her recovery.