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I'm suffering with PHN, I had shingles feb of this year,...

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I'm suffering with PHN, I had shingles feb of this year, thought I would be over it and back at work within 4 weeks...how wrong I was.

PHN is like having shingles but without the rash anymore. My advice to anyone is try and preserve with either the anticonvulsants or antidepressants, whichever your doctor recommends first. I know this is really hard because the side effects are hard to get through and it can take 3 - 4 weeks before you get any proper pain relief which is a dreadfully long time. I found Amitriptyline to be good once it's built-up but once I hit 30mg a day, start to suffer with dry mouth, nightmares, extremely tired and shaking so that's about my lot. Pregablin is the same, drowsy, tired and spaced-out but effective once built-up.

I too keep waking early hours of the morning, I don't know what is causing this, I'm guessing anxiety, it happens at random.

Tried Fluoxetine and Carbamazepine which were absolutely dreadful I was spaced-out and hyper, I think these are crazy drugs to use for treating pain but I guess they work for some and not for others.

Really hope this starts to ease soon, shingles and PHN is the most painful thing I have ever had, I fully sympathize with anyone suffering with this awful virus, it effects your physical activity and emotional state, most people feel alone because no-one around you understands as you probably don't look ill. Be supportive to family and friends who are going through this, they are going through hell, they need you.

[i:006390b1e3]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:006390b1e3]

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I certainly know how you feel, I have had PHN for almost 10 years now. I never thought it would last this long. I had a very mild outbreak of shingles behind my left knee when I was 48. The pain kept getting worse until I finally had to go to emergency room. The Dr. on call misdiagnosed me and sent me home with pain pills for a back sprain! The pain continued to worsen until I had to be taken by ambulence to a larger hospital. By that time, 3 days after initial diagnosis, I developed encephalitis(sp?). After a spinal tap it was determined I had the shingles. By then I was in awful pain, nothing would help. My leg and foot itched so badly that I scratched to my ankle bone. My leg jerked constantly.After 16 days in hospital I was sent home with Neurontin, Elavil, and Ultram to help with the PHN in my leg and foot. The pain never stops, but the combination of high dose of Neurontin along with Elavil at bedtime and Ultram twice daily helps me to cope. I have almost forgotten what my life used to be like when I was pain free. You just have to break through the pain and be strong even when you think you can't. I totally know how you feel! I'm sorry anyone else has to go through this. Keep the Faith and Live Strong :!:
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Has anyone tried Acupuncture to relieve the pain of PHN?

    I had Shingles which started about seven weeks ago. I had Acyclovir and Amitripoline at first, but when the Post Herpetoc Neuralgia persisted My GP gave me Gabapentin. That suits me better, but the pains persist and so now I am taking a larger dose.

    I am seeing an acupuncturist soon.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    [quote:0260a6c590=\"A.\"]I'm suffering with PHN, I had shingles feb of this year, thought I would be over it and back at work within 4 weeks...how wrong I was.

    PHN is like having shingles but without the rash anymore. My advice to anyone is try and preserve with either the anticonvulsants or antidepressants, whichever your doctor recommends first. I know this is really hard because the side effects are hard to get through and it can take 3 - 4 weeks before you get any proper pain relief which is a dreadfully long time. I found Amitriptyline to be good once it's built-up but once I hit 30mg a day, start to suffer with dry mouth, nightmares, extremely tired and shaking so that's about my lot. Pregablin is the same, drowsy, tired and spaced-out but effective once built-up.

    I too keep waking early hours of the morning, I don't know what is causing this, I'm guessing anxiety, it happens at random.

    Tried Fluoxetine and Carbamazepine which were absolutely dreadful I was spaced-out and hyper, I think these are crazy drugs to use for treating pain but I guess they work for some and not for others.

    Really hope this starts to ease soon, shingles and PHN is the most painful thing I have ever had, I fully sympathize with anyone suffering with this awful virus, it effects your physical activity and emotional state, most people feel alone because no-one around you understands as you probably don't look ill. Be supportive to family and friends who are going through this, they are going through hell, they need you.

    [i:0260a6c590]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:0260a6c590][/quote:0260a6c590]

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