1. Community
  2. Infections
  3. Shingles

I’ve had the shingles nerve itch/pain for over a year

Posted , 8 users are following.

angela1000
angela1000

I got shingles July , 2017 on my scalp and down to my eye lid. I’m still suffering with horrible itching, and I’m still taking gabapentin and nortryptalline. I have not gotten any relief. Is anyone else going through this?

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

Next
  • marci83831
    marci83831 angela1000

    Posted

    I have since 9/2027 my scalp forhead to above my left eye.

    I take gabapentin and sleep with a lidocaine patch on my forehead .

    I have recently started accupuncture so will see if it really helps.

  • Hector78249
    Hector78249 angela1000

    Posted

    I got ophthalmic shingles, the worst type of shingles, in July 2013. I started with teary eyes and small bumps on my scalp. Regretfully, I waited a few days before I saw my dermatologist who diagnosed the shingles, prescribed valacyclovir and resquested I see an ophthalmologist ASAP. I saw the eye doctor the same day who immediately put me on eye antiviral Rxs, critical to protecting my eyesight. I took Rx valacycovir for 7 days and eye antivirals for several weeks. Shingles blisters came and were gone within weeks, but I was left with post herpetic neuralgia or PHN, which I have a mild case today. PHN is basically pain, itching, numbness, etc. It’s possible that I had gone to the doctor for immediate treatment as soon as my eyes teared, I may not have PHN today. Nevertheless, I went through blisters, severe pain, severe itching and numbness for a couple of years. I was fortunate that I was in the care of competent proactive experienced medical providers, who in essence saved my left eyesight  (just have a small cornea scarring). Today I have a mild case of PHN, basically no pain and very little itching, primarily late at night or early morning. Perhaps the PHN will fade away with time.

    My advice to you: Put yourself ASAP (if you have not done already) in the care of an MD ophthalmologist  with experience in treating ophthalmic shingles. Best of success.

    Ps. I took my 1st dose (2 doses required) of the new shingles Rx Shingrix, which has a 90+% of preventing return of new shingles episodes.

    • shona53538
      shona53538 Hector78249

      Posted

      Oh my word its kinda nice to know that im not going crazy in regards to almost 2 years of post shingles PHN that i know someone else has had it as long if not longer .not that im happy you still have it as its awful
    • angela1000
      angela1000 Hector78249

      Posted

      Hi Hector....thanks for your information....my question is are you still taking any meds like gabapenten or  nortryptalline??
  • shona53538
    shona53538 angela1000

    Posted

    Sorry to hear this for you .sorry mines not itching its burning prickly and cold sensations almost 2 years now
    • shona53538
      shona53538 angela1000

      Posted

      None ive never been given any as i was diagnosed too late as my blisters were only a few clustered on my thigh and came out 3 to 4 weeks after initial pain started
  • Millwood
    Millwood angela1000

    Posted

    I am in the same boat only for longer. Had shingles around right eye, forehead and scalp in Sept 2016. Have been suffering from PHN post herpetin neuralgia ever since. Forehead and eyelid constantly burn and cause pain. Vision also affected in that eye. Nothing really helps.
    • shona53538
      shona53538 Millwood

      Posted

      Thats really awful .do you get cold patches as well and like tiny nerve cold pops
    • Millwood
      Millwood angela1000

      Posted

      No, l won’t take lyrics or gabapentin as too many side effects and you have to be weaned off of them. And since it is eyelid can’t use many topical ointments in case it gets into the eye.  Sometimes my forehead burns badly and l will put ordinary skin cream on to soothe skin. But it does not lessen pain. Splashing cold water or using softgel   ice packs help a little when applied to tha area for awhile.  I seem to get periods or flare ups when it is worse but it is always there to some degree.
    • marci83831
      marci83831 Millwood

      Posted

       I use lidocaine patches on my forehead at night it helps immensely 
    • virgil_11887
      virgil_11887 Millwood

      Posted

      I had Shingles in my right leg sciatic nerve in 2016. Went to the Dr. on the second day as that is when the blisters broke out. Up till then I thought it was just bad sciatic pain. i was on antiviral drugs immediately, as well as Lidocaine and Gabapentin.  That lessened the pain but eventually had to stop the Lidocaine due to side effects.  The blisters were from my knew down to my toes.  Almost immediately the pain caused many of my right leg muscles from my hamstring to my toes to atrophy and I have been in Physical Therapy off and on since then to strengthen my muscles.  I have had a lot of improvement, but lately it has plateaued since as soon as my muscles start to get any stronger they start to compress the nerve and then the pain flares up again and the muscles shut down.  I'm still on Gabapentin but nothing has changed in over 6 months now.  My Dr.'s don't seem to have any ideas as to further treatment or if this is just going to be long term or what.  Does anyone have any experience with muscle weakening and long term effects?

    • shona53538
      shona53538 virgil_11887

      Posted

      My leg muscles feel tight all the time at back of thighs .im going to vinyas yoga to try to stretch so heres hopeing
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.