Posted , 9 users are following.
I've been given gabapentin for shingles but after a week I'm not getting any relief I'm in so much pain I've been back to GP and there saying take co codamol as well but the pain in my back is getting worse
1 like, 23 replies
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Jmac2 eileen88018
Posted
Hi I am having a shingles attack as I am typing. My right leg and lower back are killing me. Even my right foot is having issues of being swollen. As for my back the only thing I have found to help is a heating pad and extremely mild exercise for lower back. I do a muscle tighting by standing up straight and tighting my butt muscles which in turn tightens my lower back muscles. It hurts like crazy, but by my muscles being tight it seems to help my back. Crazy right? Has your doctor put you on any meds that help control the out break? Since I have recurring shingles on am on 400 mgs of zovirax generic name acyclovir. They don't stop symptoms from happening, but it sure eases them and helps to minimize blisters. I myself believe in them. Was not taking them do to not having a doctor, outbreak was the worst I have had in years. Back on them and it started to help ease pain in two days. If like me exercise is not what you want to do when back is killing you, but it does help. Sorry for length of this. Hope it can help in some way.
cindi22524 Jmac2
Posted
I cannot believe you get Shingles so often? The doctors all told me that it can only happen once in life? I'm so sorry that you're going thru this. Keep doing whats working best for you!!!!
I think to myself, I don't think I could live with the pain and itching of shingles ever again!!! Stay strong!!!
joseph_73900 cindi22524
Posted
Thanks Cindi,I hope it's a once off with you, most people only get it once so fingers crossed you will be one of them.
babs99203 cindi22524
Posted
Cindi, now you know how little doctors know about shingles. You can get shingles multiple times, you can get recurring shingles, you can get it as a very young child, you can get it without a rash. These are all things that many doctors think don't happen. Oh and they also believe gabapentin has few or no side effects. That may be the biggest mistake of them all.
joseph_73900 babs99203
Posted
You can also PHN from shingles which I have.
cindi22524 babs99203
Posted
Wow, this blows my mind! Doctors need to go back to med school. I agree100% about the Gabapentin, so many side effects yet it's their # 1 drug they try to push for Shingles pain!!! I was on it for neck surgery and I couldn't remember sh--! and it makes you puffy and brain is always foggy. Terrible stuff as far as I'm concerned!!!!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!!
cindi22524 joseph_73900
Posted
Thank you!!!!
Jmac2 babs99203
Posted
So true about gabapentin, one of the side effects that I had while taking was a migraine that would not stop until I stopped taking them and another was blurred vision. Forgetful memory, leave a room or just thinking of something and have it be gone in a second. Never to be remembered again for hours if I was lucky.