shingles - advice on managing the pain

[Wordsaremything]

Hi

Mum's 85 and was prescribed an anti viral and a strong pain killer. The latter brought on massive confusion so was discontinued. She's in a lot of pain, not sleeping and managing with paracetamol and calamine lotion, supplemented by hot water bottles/ wheat bags. Doc Has prescribed another ointment but she refuses to try it as the leaflet mentions it might induce a brief burning sensation. Demonstrated on my own hand over a small cut. Won't touch it.

Any suggestions?

Your poor mum shingles is unfortunately painful often as the virus resides in the nerve root. There are pain controlling drugs I'd say she needs to go back to the GP to try others or ask fir a referral if they can't stop it

Poor dm really horrible.

Guessing the painkiller was gaberpentin, but if not it may be worth discussing this option. Low dose amitriptline can also help but may cause further confusion.

I would steer away from calamine as it will dry out the lesions, if she would tolarate it and you can get it hydrogel dressings are very soothing for the lesions.

Hope she feels better soon.

Contact your Doctor, they will be able to advise you best. I hope your Mum is feeling better soon

My mum recently had this and it is a difficult to treat problem. The ointment you mention contains capsaicin and works extremely well after a bit of a sting. The other thing that helped was cold showers & ice packs. It can take a couple of weeks to subside a bit. My mum unfortunately suffered lasting long term nerve damage & pain (she started the anti viral 24 hours late). It might be worth seeing a skin specialist who can help manage the pain and help prevent long term nerve damage.

Amitrytyline is out. It gave her wacky auditory and visual hallucinations when prescribed for another condition a while ago.

Ice packs? Might try that.

Has she tried lidocaine ointment? Will just numb the area for a while so only temporary relief but may help a bit if trying to drop off to sleep etc. You can get over the counter but GP should be able to prescribe for shingles pain. Hope she feels better soon.

Thanks - will get some lidocaine.