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Pain with activity?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Guitarguy
Guitarguy

Hello all- I'm 25 and was told today that I have PHN, but I'm skeptical. I'm reading through signs and symptoms, and while many fit me the main factor that brings along my pain is activity. My pain affects my on my left chest- does anyone else here notice that activity (standing for 15 minutes, running, heavy lifting) brings about a flare up? Pain aggravated my activity is the missing piece in my puzzle.

Thanks

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • ruth57682
    ruth57682 Guitarguy

    Posted

    With the PHN I have, their is always pain in the spots following the nerve.  Physical activity does often make it worse.  However, just having clothing on it I almost always at least a 5.  By the end of the day usually a 6.  It is not as bad as when first diagnosed however after 11 months.
  • charlie58834
    charlie58834 Guitarguy

    Posted

    For most of us, the pain is constant, though it is always worse under some conditions.  PHN starts after an episode of shingles.  Did you have shingles recently?
  • michael5678
    michael5678 Guitarguy

    Posted

    Think you have to have the shiggles is primary, next as the rash subsides you realize that the pain is still there. The pain I have is around the area where this rash was. The pain remains 4 years later, it still haunts me...

    This how I got PHN. 

  • babs99203
    babs99203 Guitarguy

    Posted

     Yes, activity can definitely increase the pain.I only had a slight rash, but my shingles was on my back and chest and definitely twisting bending and lifting make it much worse. My shingles started back in October and the improvement was so slow and gradual I could barely even notice there was any improvement. But about two months ago I definitely felt  there was a change. I was in denial, but finally four months afterHowever, there are variations and how well people can continue to improve.I know several people who at about six months realize that they had started to feel quite a bit better. About two months ago I realize I was starting to  really feel better. Some people only improve slightly, and still have quite a bit of pain. That Pinckney better some days worse others but it's seldom really goes away. In my case,  I feel quite a bit different than even just one month ago. I'm still on gabapentin, extra strength Tylenol, and anti-inflammatory,  and Aspercreme pain cream. But I haven't gotten back to about 80% of my previous life. I've gotten back to other activities and I'm optimistic that I will continue to improve. However I really don't know where this really is all going. Take things slowly, still don't push yourself too much and just take every day as it comes but know that sometimes there can be an improvement.

    • babs99203
      babs99203

      Posted

       Please forgive some of the errors in my previous post. I'm having problems with my iPad and the corrections on going through correctly. I also want to say, that I was refusing to believe that I had PHN. Finally in my third month I had to accept I had it. I certainly did not expect to see improvement. It can happen but as I said previously everyone is different.

  • sheila48912
    sheila48912 Guitarguy

    Posted

    I too, find that too much activity does increase the pain so I just take short walks and do some very light lifting. Everyone is different but we will continue to share tips to help us all cope. There's some good information on this forum, recommend that perhaps you read some of the other posts to see if they can help you as well.

    • babs99203
      babs99203 sheila48912

      Posted

      Yup, same boat here. I haven't been on the forums for a bit, we were on vacation and then I've been quite busy. Sheila, sorry I can't remember if we both have back/chest PHN, but it sounds like it. I'm lucky that I am still improving, but sometimes I forget and push and pay for it. I limit how much I carry, watch twisting and bending.

      I'm pretty good generally, but opening/closing windows, taking wash out of the machine and the dryer are painful. Leaning to put make-up on, twisting to look at something behind me, sitting and typing beyond 15 minutes are all triggers. But at least they don't cause as much pain as they used to.

  • ruth57682
    ruth57682 Guitarguy

    Posted

    I also find that any stretching, straining or twisting aggravates the painful areas.  I try to do light exercises and walk a lot but other than that I avoid working out as it isn't worth it!  I am still on gabapenten going on a year.  Has anyone on that noticed a bit of loss in remembering things?  I am forgetting things and feel it could be the drug.  I am now on 900 mg. 300x3.  My doc recently increased it.  Please let me know if any of you have experienced this.

    • babs99203
      babs99203 ruth57682

      Posted

      What did you write, I can't remember it!!?? I am on 1900-700, 600 and 600 as i try and taper down. My memory seems a bit worse than it was even a month or two ago. Short-term, particularly with sequences (phone numbers, menu items etc.) is really bad. A friend was on a higher dose than I, is now off of it and feels a year later her  memory is still affected. Oh hooray!! That's why I'm trying to get off, but I had side-effects when I did, so I'm not enjoying that aspect of it.

    • ruth57682
      ruth57682 babs99203

      Posted

      Thanks for letting me know.  I sure don't like that side effect.  Think I will drop down to 600. That would be 300mg twice a day.  I do think it helps a little. I am better that several months ago.  Still can't wear a bra and with summer it is really a challenge,,

    • babs99203
      babs99203 ruth57682

      Posted

      Bras? Tell me about it! In WI I hid The Girls under bulky sweaters, but now, if I'm out I usually have to wear one. DId I mention to you to try bra extenders? They sell them in stores or online. It's just the hook/eye section and I attach 2 or 3 of them so I can still wear my old ones, but I still try and limit my time in one. Unfortunately, despite being extremely careful, my new puppy just chewed apart my favorite, most comfortable one! It was discontinued, but one website recommended a similar one, I hope will help.

      Be careful dropping down. Just going down from 2,000 to 1,900, I had withdrawal issues-felt like I was getting the flu, confusion, lack of emotion-which lasted about 4 days. There's not much out there about it, but it's a serious medication and has to be increased and reduced very carefully. I dread going through this every time I drop. Some people aren't affected as much, but many do, not realizing it's the drug.

      I got this from a Missouri Palliative Care website: Medications That Require Tapering Upon Discontinuation

      Listed are medications that when possible, should be tapered versus abruptly discontinued, in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms.  Tapers can vary in duration and specific guidance is provided in the chart below. In hospice, tapers are not always clinically feasible resulting in the abrupt discontinuation of some medications.  In these cases, end-of-life symptom management may alleviate any withdrawal symptoms that may arise if a taper cannot be initiated or completed. "Gabapentin  Decrease dose by 25% weekly (Neurontin ®wink. Seizures, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain, sweating"

      The list includes opioids and other powerful meds. It's pretty sad the the best info I got about decreasing a common drug came from them. There's so little out there, it's infuriating!

       

    • ruth57682
      ruth57682 babs99203

      Posted

      Thanks Babs,  yes, my doc also stressed the fact that dropping down is a gradual process.  It is frustrating though as the gab does help the neuropathy that I have also but this memory thing is what worries me more and motivates me to decrease.  Also  I have the bra extenders but most of my worst pain is where the strap hits.  I have just ordered a halter bra that fastens low on the back and hope maybe that might help.  Will let you know!

       

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