Pain is the problem, not a symptom
Posted , 4 users are following.
I have been going to a specialised pain clinic and they have really helped me understand PHN a lot better. The issue with chronic pain, that is pain lasting more than 3 months, is that the pain is no longer a symptom of a problem, it becomes a problem itself. This happens because the nerve pathway from the site of the original damage, along the nerve, to the spinal column and brain stem becomes over-used by pain signals.
It is sort of like a short-cut footpath across grass,
. The more it gets used, the more it looks like the right path to take. And with frequent use, the grass does not get a chance to grow back.
Many of the medications we are prescribed (Lyrica, Gabapentin, Cymbalata, etc) are aiming to slow down the nerve signals so that they use other nerve pathways so that the pain pathway is no longer the only pathway being followed.
I hope some of you find this helpful. When I understand things better I feel I have a bit more agency in dealing with my condition and it makes sense why certain medications are prescribed.
1 like, 5 replies
darlene64285 Geezee
Posted
Thank you for this explanation! I am new to this post shingles pain...just 7 weeks in from my shingles case. I was started on Gabapentin 4 weeks ago. I am at 1200 mg, so far I don't think it is helping much.
When exactly are you able to say for sure this is PHN? I can tell you my exact day....blisters healed then the pain changed. I could say for sure at 3 weeks in PHN is what it is!
Geezee darlene64285
Posted
Hope things have improved for you.
(For some reason I didn't get any notifications on this post).
Clinically, PHN is diagnosed after 3 months. That is how long the body takes to repair the initial damage from the virus. If there is pain that continues after 3 months then the problem is with the nervous system and no longer related to the initial damage.
lisag1961 Geezee
Edited
im a 59year old nurse who due to having lupus and being on steroids had a HORRIBLE case of Shingles from C2 to C6 The lesions were so dense I ended up having a thickened solid scab on my back, neck and scalp they ended up having to debride this skin and graft my skin. I spent 3 weeks in burn unit Its now 6 months later skin still has not healed and the PHN is almost a daily occurrence -tightening back of my neck, top of shoulders and front a lil. i have thick scars that when touched sends shocking zaps and squeezing sensations This has ruined "life as I knew it"
is there ANYTHING that can be done by a neurologist or pain mgt or scar realease ?? unsuccessfully :Tegretol, Gaba, accupuncture, opiods etc ??
i need this to stop!!!
Geezee lisag1961
Edited
Sounds like a truly awful and painful experience.
If you find a good neurologist or pain management clinic there are several more options that can help. A miracle cure is unlikely, as most treatments aim to reduce the intensity and frequency of pain rather than eliminate it entirely. A good clinic can help with some of the simple things like improving your medication regime all the way to more extreme options like nerve blocking injections or ketamine treatments.
All this is to say that there is hope for the pain to improve
lisag1961 Geezee
Edited
thanks I was wondering about Ketamine My pain is not as bad as the constant lesions opening and bleeding, itching etc I was in SO MUCH pain when I went for the Burn follow up after being released w Shingles diagnosis I did not give grafting a 2nd thought bc I thought it would help get me well faster. In hindsight I would not do this as I believe the lesions and schloughing (sp?) would have cleared on its on here are some photos week 2-3/ time of graft / 7 mont