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.

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Infectious Diseases
/ Shingles Support Group

Pain after Shingles

deleted_user
deleted_user
I had shingles on my right shoulder blade years ago. About a year after I had the shingles, I would get pains in my back, which are still happening to this day. It's a throbbing pain, that feels excessively warm. It usally only happens a few days before it rains or snows. I've heard this happening with people who would get pain in their bodies because they had broken bones. But this feels like it's in my muscle. Is it something I should be worried about?
Julia1953
Julia1953
I'm honestly not sure if this is post herpetic neuralgia or not. I do know that some people who had shingles get post herpetic neuralgia, which does cause pain, and they frequently have this pain for years, sometimes the rest of their lives. Strong pain meds are usually prescribed for this, and from what I've heard, Neurontin works very well to control the pain. I would definitely talk with my doctor and ask if it's possible this pain is post herpetic neuralgia. If it is, there is help available to control the pain. Good luck.
Julia1953
Julia1953
oh, and by the way... as for "worry", I don't think this is anything to panic about. Post herpetic neuralgia is a fairly common occurance after shingles, and there is help for it. It can certainly affect your life, especially if you don't get treatment for it, but it is basically pain from the nerve path being compromised by the shingles, and as such, not really something to "worry" about. But I would definitely discuss this pain with my doctor and be sure the pain is post herpetic neuralgia and not something else.
My shingles were on my face, and my doctor told me I have to be careful about fans, air conditioners, wind, etc blowing directly on my face, because I can develop Bell's Palsy from the facial nerves being fragile right now. Shingles isn't necessarily over and done with when the rash subsides, it can take weeks or even months to get over everything associated with your shingles. The best thing to do is discuss the issue with your doctor.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have been over my initial attack of shingles now for about 7 weeks. I am, however, suffering from intense itching!? Itching is all I can think of calling it. It is keeping me from sleeping unless I take something that typically knocks me out for about 4-6 hours, of which is becoming less and less effective.

It seems the after pain I can handle, but this itching feeling is insane.
Is there anything effective against this? Seems everything I read advertised by some business works, but none will do a money back guarantee.
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