Managing shingles paih

[PerkyOchrePeer]

My shingles is mild but i still get pain. I get stinging eye and head. I only need over the counter painkillers. What I have been doing is taking painkillers and after a few hours they gradually start to wear off. As they start to wear off the pain starts gradually coming back. I dont take any more painkillers until they gave fully worn off which means by then the pain is fully back stinging eye and head.

What ive done now js as the painkillers start wearing off and the pain is very slight I take more painkillers so that it masks it and it never reaches the stinging eye stage so this way I remain pain free.

Is this a good idea? Im seeing GP this morning and will ask her

According Google, you should not wait until the pain is at its chronic stage before taking more painkillers. You should manage it as you see fit.

As long as you are sticking to the maximum/ 24hours and time periods indicated for the painkillers eg no more than 4g of paracetamol in 24 hours with 4-6 hours in between doses then what you are doing is absolutely fine. Definitely better to take the painkillers before the pain becomes unbearable and you’re on the back foot, much better to try and keep it under control.

I've been put on cocodamol by a Gp and i have to attend my local hospital eye clinic

Bathe them where possible in witch hazel. It definitely helps.

You should not apply witch hazel directly in or near the eye for shingles or eye nerve pain. Shingles affecting the eye (herpes zoster ophthalmicus) is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention and professional treatment to prevent complications,