Acute herpes zoster torture
Posted , 6 users are following.
Anyone who has PHN would likely have endured to some degree, the acute pain to some degree during this phase of the virus. I hope to shed some light on understanding this key phase in which I believe most of the nerve damage to the dorsal root ganglion takes place. After feeling the annoyance of the shingles rash for about two weeks I thought the worst was over. It was about to get far more ugly. For the next 7/8 days every 90 minutes or so a debilitating pain would start on my left torso where the rash had been. From front to back along a six inch swath between sternum and navel. The pain would move along these nerves. Starting in front at heart level the excruciating pain would begin and then move to the left side then back to the spine. Holding in each spot for 8/10 seconds before moving to the next. Hitting each of these three spots about 90 minutes apart. One out of every five attacks the pain would move from front to side to back and reverse around to where it began. These attacks would last a total of 40/50 seconds making them even longer and more brutal. All of which would be spent holding ones breath and clenching the entire body to keep from screaming in agony. The
0 likes, 10 replies
Caseysue r.oka
Posted
where's the rest of your post
r.oka Caseysue
Posted
Sorry for the premature post-you can see the rest of the post if you go to 2r.oka>catherine67370
michael5678 r.oka
Posted
Wow, I can relate to the scenerio. Except, maybe in a different location. I have pain from my spine wrapping around on left side of my lower torso to my naval. No drug cures this, or stops it long enough to not feel it again the next day. I thought it was going away. That was four years ago after a bout of the shingles. I was 49 now I just turned 54. I was in good shape back then. Now, forget it. Notice I didnt ask about a cure. I know whats up. The doctors don't know how to deal with this other then pain management. They figure if they can put a smile on your face they succeed.
r.oka michael5678
Posted
Sorry for the inadvertent post. -You too have endured the 'acute phase' of PHN following the initial shingles rash. It is during this 'acute phase' which we know most of the nerve damage was initiated. The attacks during that period of time, 7/8 days for myself, are when those underlying nerve endings got fried and long term PHN resulted. My experience recalls that the attacks occurred only while I was awake and upright. If I would have realized this at the time I should have become prone at the hint of an oncoming attack. The virus seemed to be inactive while a slept and my core was at rest. Much like "tonic immobility" when you place a shark belly up. It goes into a comatose state. The virus may react in the same way. Seems far too simple a remedy but drugs have proven unsuccessful during this crucial and damaging phase. It may help curtail the nerve damage that leads to long term PHN. A few years too late for us but worth trying for anyone in the 'acute phase' of the herpes zoster nightmare.
catherine67370 r.oka
Posted
Your post cut off after 'All of which would be spent holding ones ......
r.oka catherine67370
Posted
Sorry for the inadvertent post. The acute pain was so intense that I held my breath and clenched my entire body to keep from screaming in agony until the attack stopped. I couldn't get to my doctor during these attacks because it was during the Fourth of July weekend and I thought I'd gut it out rather than go to the ER. What I want to pass on is that all of the attacks took place during the day when I was upright. I can't recall any during the night while in the prone position. If I wasn't in a state of shock from these attacks I may have figured out to try lying down when I would feel an attack beginning. To this day, five years later, the resulting PHN pain is at its worst when I'm upright and my core is activated. Pain meds help me tolerate the pain when upright but if I could live my life in the prone position I could stop the meds altogether. I'm positive that the severe damage done to my the dermatone and dorsal root ganglion occurred during this acute phase.
rusti1 r.oka
Posted
Wow, I wasn't going to answer, but when you said it doesn't happen when lying down, I thought of an inverted board (saw on t.v. I think it's called) that might help? The one where you lie on it and it slowly goes upside-down. Perhaps time on that each day, just a thought. I'm big on Vitamin C as a natural antiviral, but there are a few others...DMSO, and B12. So sorry, hate to see anyone in pain.
r.oka rusti1
Posted
I have inversion boots which do the same as the board. Turning one upside down and inactivating ones core. I would lie down which would also do the same. This seemed to be the only reason the attacking virus was not active while I was sleeping in the prone position. Much like 'tonic immobility' when you turn a shark belly up. It goes into a sleep state when in this position. The herpes virus may do the same and worth trying for anyone suffering through the acute phase of shingles. It may curtail the nerve damage and lessen the length of the resulting PHN. Appears much too simple a fix but drugs have been proven ineffective during this crucial and damaging phase.
Geezee r.oka
Posted
I have the pain in my face and head. This means that I don't get pain as often, but if I was my hair, get a hair cut, or go outside in high winds, I get excrutiating pain.
r.oka Geezee
Posted
My father also had the virus on his head and face. Doctors said if he hadn't lost his eyesight as a young man he would have lost his left eye to the shingles. Fortunately he was spared the PHN damage and resulting pain (allodinia) which follows.