Has anyone had pain relief from PHN using epidural steroid injections?

I'd be very, very careful about any invasive procedure. Doctors want to DO something (I worked in healthcare as a medical secretary for over 30 years) which is often beneficial, but can make things worse. Do as much research as possible before you'd try this. I know it's so hard when the pain is bad and you think you've reached your limit. Keep searching these forums to see if others had relief, what their side effects were and how long it lasted. I'd use that as a better reflection of the outcomes than his blog.

I've had three intercostal nerve blocks, and I must have fallen in that 10 percent stat that it doesnt work because none, not a one worked for me. I had the VA do one and a private doctor do it twice. His solution when it the pain didn't go away, was a pill that is used to treat  migrane headaches! 2013 to present day I have a pain that runs from my naval to my spine. I have MS that further complicates the issue. Can someone suggest something, other than money making schemes? I am about to fall off a 6 year wagon, fall into alcholism again. 

My dermatologist gave me a series of many steroid injections. The first injection he gave me was in my hip. He said that it would bring down the pain level a bit in all the spots where I was having PHN. On the next visit, he gave me a steroid shot in each spot where I pointed to where I had the worst pain. By my next visit 2 weeks later, I was somewhat better, but he gave me more injections wherever I told him I needed it. Two weeks later again, I was way better than when he gave me that first shot in the hip. I opted not to get any more shots that day. I asked him what was in the injection, as I wasnt able to find any info online about his method of treating PHN. He said that he was injecting me with Kenalog 5mg and a little lidocaine. Kenalog is also called Triamcinolone Acetone. Those shots worked wonders for me. My pain was in my left armpit, along my left arm, left breast, and left shoulder blade on my back. I went from not being able to wear a top because I couldn't tolerate the lightest, softest clothing on my skin to where I am today, which is that I only have what I call an irritation in my armpit. It's not pain, just irritating if I am wearing a top in which the armhole seam is rubbing, or if I get hot and sweaty I start to feel it again. If this is all I have to live with the rest of my life, I'm fine with that, as I now know what REAL pain is from shingles. My heart goes out to all of you who have been in that excrutiating pain for years. 

My rash started on Dec. 20, 2016. I saw my dermatologist that same day and he started me on Famivir (?) an oral anti-viral medicine. It was a few weeks later that he gave me that first shot. Due to the effectiveness of the steroid injections, I was only in that worst pain for maybe 8 weeks. I asked my doctor why no one else who I read about online is getting these same injections. He said he didn't know, but that he got his training on the West Coast. He now practices in NC, where I live.

I am so grateful for my doctor, and hope that you get relief from your epidural steroid injection. I don't know anything about the epidural.

Hope this helps in some way.

Gail

Hi, in my attempt to do some research about PHN I stumbled upon this forum. My mother is currently suffering from this horrific situation. However it started years ago and since she was missed diagnosed, it took long for the doctors to realize it was shingles. She is now 60 years old and suffering. We've been throw too many roller coasters to count. First they told my mother she had fibromyalgia and kept increasing her lyrica because it wasn't "working", on top of that my mom has had diabetes since I was a child. Then they told us that she had MS and made her go through all of these different tests and spinal tests, nothing. Then they told her that she had small vessels disease and the long term effects of diabetes did this to her and is causing her neuropathy, they treated her, got her a1c normal, but she was still having this awful nerve pain. Then one day, a few months ago aside from the nerve pain she had already been feeling, she was in pain, skin irritation, blisters that popped out in 4 separate places including next to her face, then the doctors were like "o, you have shingles". So puzzled we were like ok. So he proceeded to explain what PHN was. I was furious because her last doctor from years ago, when this started, failed to tell us about the lasting effects of shingles. This WHOLE time we thought all of these other awful things and the cause was from shingles. Now they have my mom on Gabapentin but I think it's way to strong of a dose because it just makes her sleep. I feel like this "thing" is robbing me of my years with my mom. I don't know how to help her. The PHN is in her face and her head. Do you think injections like Botox or kenalog will help? She's seeing a regular doctor and a neurologist but I think she should see a dermatologist. Any advice would help. Thank you.

Hello. I had an intercostal nerve block 2 months into my PHN nightmare. It actually started for me the 2nd week when the rash was gone. Out of site, uncontrollable pain with lyrica, narcs, etc.etc. So I had the intercostal block by the pain doc. No relief whatsoever. 3 months later a different pain doc tried an epidural injection on me under fluroscopy even, yet still no relief. I find a lot of medical articles that show study results don't support these types of injections. They aren't helpful for most people. I hope things are getting better for you. I am so much better than a year and a half ago. 🥀🌺🌻🌼🌷

Nerve blocks are only useful in preventing PHN. While I almost always try them, they virtually never work. If medications and topical anesthetics fail, spinal cord stimulation is an option. Yes, thankfully most cases improve with time. Unfortunately nerve blocks are almost never offered early in the disease process when there is evidence they decrease the incidence of PHN.

Hello barb  I have had the intercostal nerve block unfortunately for me it did not work but remember if ur pain is bad anything is worth a go it may be the cure that works for u. I shall keep my fingers and toes crossed for u maybe this time this will work. Good luck and keep us all posted ????