Post herpetic Neuralgia (Post shingles pain)

[Orangesandlemons77]

Is anyone else familiar with or dealing with this? It's supposed to be mainly in the elderly but I am mid 40s and had recurrent episodes of shingles since my 30s (it started after a severe illness and surgery which seemed to trigger it)

First it was on my side (always the right) then shoulder and arm, most recently it was my neck and face. (mainly the ear not the eye thankfully)

Doctors have been generally quite helpful, they prescribed antivirals during the rash and then afterwards I have started pregabalin 3 times daily along with co-codomol which I was previously taking for something else.

I have another pain condition (severe abdominal adhesions which have caused bowel obstructions) and now this as well. I also have depression and on fluoxetine 40mg a day.

Oh also low iron so trying to treat that with iron tablets.

I spend most of the day in bed with a hot water bottle.

I just wondered if anyone else was in the same boat.

Hi @Orangesandlemons77 . I know you posted this a few months ago but I've only just seen it. Hope you're feeling better? I had a bad and very painful bout of shingles a while ago (age 64) and was left with PHN which mainly affected my left shoulder, chest and arm. I was unable to put any clothing on my left upper side without being in agony. Medication didn't work for me. Being at my wits end, I decided to try acupuncture and it seems to have helped me a lot, after 4 sessions I am (almost!) back to normal. If you're still suffering, I'd say it's worth a shot if you can afford it (I also think some practitioners offer it on the NHS). I do realise it won't help everyone though.

Most importantly though, from September you may be able to get a vaccine on the NHS if you are in a vulnerable category, ask your GP.