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General health

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Original poster

Pain after Shingles ongoing

13 replies

Orangesandlemons77 · 01/06/2023 09:49

I've had Shingles more than once, triggered by major surgeries a few years ago.

First on the side, then the shoulder / upper back then most recently on the face- all on the same side (right) - although a strange thing- after each time on the right it has appeared in a lesser way on the left in the same area!

I'm unsure why I seem so prone to it, although it may be stress (also have depression and low iron) and the surgeries were traumatic / emergency (laparotomies)

Anyway, the pain from the first episodes of Shingles has never really gone away and that was a few years ago now, the face episode was january and that is still painful (the trigeminal nerve with the ear the most painful) I've also got Tinnitus from the last episode

I'm having some luck with pain relief after being prescribed Pregabalin (although some side effects) and I also have Co-codomol for my Neuralgia and post surgical pain.

Family seem to think it should have passed by now and act as if I am imagining the pain, but that isn't the case.

I wondered if anyone else was struggling with Neuralgia after Shingles. Also as an aside I was told by a HP that there seems to be more Shingles in younger people recently.

OP posts:

mimi0910 · 01/06/2023 10:09

I had similar - recurrent shingles and was prescribed a few different medications for neuralgia after - I found pregabalin was the most effective. Took about 18 months for the pain to properly subside and was able to come off medication. Tried lots of other things to help including acupuncture but I didn't find it really worked. Unfortunately was just time. Sorry - can empathise with you - it's not nice feeling rotten and not being able to do what you want.

Original poster

Orangesandlemons77 · 01/06/2023 11:51

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad to hear yours passed with time.

OP posts:

longwayoff · 01/06/2023 11:55

I have Acyclovir daily as a preventative. It prevents outbreaks, thank God, and neuralgia pain is lessened as their is less active virus lurking to get you when it can. It's a bloody horrible virus. Ask GP about Acyclovir, you may be able to reduce painkillers. Good luck.

mimi0910 · 01/06/2023 21:19

Should have also said I had the shingles vaccine - had to pay for it as only available on nhs over 70! But haven't had any outbreaks since so seems to have been worth it.

ConcernedCatmother · 01/06/2023 21:24

Following

Original poster

Orangesandlemons77 · 02/06/2023 09:44

I saw something about how might be having vaccine on NHS over 60, or 50 if immunocompromised however not sure how / when if this is happening.

I might try and ask about the antivirals thanks, sometimes I wonder if it is still there, lingering as seem to be traces of a red rash along with the pain in some areas.

OP posts:

Original poster

Orangesandlemons77 · 04/06/2023 10:59

There seems to be a few new spots on my shoulder / back with pain but it is the weekend so can't really get the antivirals, anyway unsure if new or not as quite vague and could have been from before.

Quite bad pain today, have taken the pregabalin and also some co-codomol and have a hot water bottle. DH has taken the DC to a car boot sale.

OP posts:

Original poster

Orangesandlemons77 · 06/06/2023 17:54

Got some more antivirals, a weeks course, and painkillers. Hoping for pain free times for us all

OP posts:

jamdan21 · 06/06/2023 17:59

Orangesandlemons77
I've just had my shingles jab after taking the advice of members on here. I never knew it was so common. I'm 70 btw. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Original poster

Orangesandlemons77 · 06/06/2023 19:37

When I look at research stuff on shingles it seems unusual to have recurrence but in forums like this quite a lot of people seem to- and not with underlying conditions either.

Thanks for the tip about the vaccine. Shame it seems quite expensive.

OP posts:

SamR36 · 13/07/2023 15:52

I have trigeminal neauralgia, have done for 8 years, on high dose of tegretol (anticonvulsants).
I think mine was triggered by shingles. I suffered for years with cold sores and its all related.
I also take antivirals when i feel a tingling in my lip.
The neauralgia pain is unbearable.
Im also looking into it being something thats related to hormone change. Quite a lot of evidence pointing in that direction

SamR36 · 13/07/2023 15:53

Neuralgia *

TorroFerney · 13/07/2023 15:58

Orangesandlemons77 · 01/06/2023 09:49

I've had Shingles more than once, triggered by major surgeries a few years ago.

I'm unsure why I seem so prone to it, although it may be stress (also have depression and low iron) and the surgeries were traumatic / emergency (laparotomies)

I'm having some luck with pain relief after being prescribed Pregabalin (although some side effects) and I also have Co-codomol for my Neuralgia and post surgical pain.

Family seem to think it should have passed by now and act as if I am imagining the pain, but that isn't the case.

I wondered if anyone else was struggling with Neuralgia after Shingles. Also as an aside I was told by a HP that there seems to be more Shingles in younger people recently.

Im 51 and had shingles when I was 20. they didn’t give medication then, it was around my groin/vulva and top of leg. If I get really run down I get an itching burning just sore skin feeling which, on googling a few years ago I found is related to shingles. Don’t get me wrong it doesn’t stop me in my tracks but it’s uncomfortable. Post herpetic neuralgia apparently

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