Help for burning shingles pain.

[divadee]

I have had shingles now for 2.5 weeks. The rash has completely gone with just a very very slight under the skin mark where it was.

But...... the burning pain has not stopped. It is getting worse every day. The shooting nerve pain has subsided but my skin is just constantly burning and it goes through the roof if I touch it (which is hard not to as the shingles rash was over my left hand side of my back and torso, kind of around my waist). I have tried various painkillers and lotions such as calamine and virasoothe which do nothing. Piriton helps to a very very small degree but that's more because it stops the itching I have it does nothing at all for the burning.

I am getting to the end of my patience with it to be honest. I am in constant pain 24/7. The gp prescribed gabapentin and I had anti virals in the first week but the burning just continues.

Any tips from anyone?

I have not had shingles, but have nerve pain, and it is horrible, so sympathise. One thing I use is lidocaine patches (Versatis), which are actually specifically licenced for post-herpetic neuralgia. They are like a big sticky plaster with local anaesthetic that numbs the area. You can use up to 3 patches for 12 hours a day, and you can cut them to size.

Also, I take pregabalin, and have taken gabapentin. You do have to give them time to work, but that is probably not much help for you right now. The lidocaine would work straight away though.

Thank you! I will call the gp tomorrow and see if they can prescribe me some. I worry though as it's such a big area that is affected. Do you need them over the whole area?

I tend to put them sort of not quite touching. Each plaster is 10cm x 14cm so that would cover a reasonable area. To be honest, I sometimes reuse them anyway if I want to cover a bigger area. I have lidocaine intravenously now, so I reckon it is safe in plaster form. I would use more fresh ones, except that they cost about £70 for a box of 30, so GP a bit reluctant to prescribe too often!