PHN
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I have suffered with postherpetic neuropathy for 1 yesr I have been looking into Stem Cell therapy. I have found 2 doctors who claim results, 1 indicated that he could not help the other will not return my calls even though they advertize stem cell treatments for PHN. Has anyone had any experience with this approach.
0 likes, 20 replies
ruth57682 frankjs
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frankjs ruth57682
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I went the "Pain Doctor" route. It consisted of medication and cortisone shots and about $7k later I said no more. I have a business and have to work everyday and cannot be half out of it on drugs. There are currently doctors and clinics doing stem cell pain therapy for athletic and accident injuries. I went to one in Charlotte NC and though he was very through in his evaluation he was up front and said he did not think the type of stem cell procedure he was using would be effective and he had never treated PHN and was not sure how it would work.
I found another, R3stem cell, https://r3stemcell, and their site says they treat PHN. I contacted their office in North Carolina and they said they were not aware of the protocol but they would get back to me the same day, that was a week ago. In all fareness it is Christmas holiday time. My next approach is accupuncture. I have read where there has been success with this.
brian88676 ruth57682
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ruth57682 brian88676
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That's what I was afraid of! Thanks for responding. From what I have gathered from this forum at this point is that really nothing works on nerve pain. The only thing that has help me so far is Charley's comment on training one' s brain in such a way to minimize the pain by distraction. This has gotten me through the bad days but sure doesn't help my social life!!
brian88676 ruth57682
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I have lived through this for 8 years now and it still bothers me as much as it did when I first got over the shingles rash. Maybe even more. I don't know where your pain is, but mine is in my eyebrow, forehead and scalp. My best temporary relief comes from brushing my head hard with a hair brush until the nerves are raging and then applying a topical cream. The best cream I have found is T-Relief, a point ointment I order on line. That generally gives me a couple of hours, sometimes more.
ruth57682 brian88676
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ruth57682 brian88676
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brian88676 ruth57682
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I get it on-line. Using Google, I look for T-Relief. It is a red, white and blue plastic tube. It is a homeopathic ointment It says "Arnica+12" on the side of the tube, below the name.
croft4Penny brian88676
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ruth57682 frankjs
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brian88676 ruth57682
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I had 8 acupuncture treatments, 2 per month for 4 month. At first I thought it was going to work. But, as the treatments progressed, there was less and less impact on my daily pain. After the 4th month I gave up.
brian88676 frankjs
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charlie58834 frankjs
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Hi Frank,
No, I've heard nothing about it, and I've worked in the medical field as a psychologist for many years, specializing in chronic pain and other issues. Interesting! I'll be interested to hear what you find if the docs get back in touch with you.
frankjs charlie58834
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Misstickle frankjs
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My husband has suffered severe PHN pain for the past 12 months. He is on high dosage gabapentin, together with amitripyoline and oxycodeine, also capsI Caine cream. Frankly, nothing seems to have helped stop the really agonising pain he is in all the time. He paid for 6 acupuncture sessions a few months ago but that made no difference either. At last, 6 weeks ago after a 5 month wait he got an appointment at the NHS pain clinic, seeing an anaesthetist consultant. He prescribed Idocaine 5% patches. The area affected is in the middle of his back and on his front left chest area, and I stick one patch over each place. He has them on for 12 hours then he must have 12 hours without them. The result has been quite amazing. My husband says he still has a constant dull ache and occasional stabbing pains, but the pain levels are so much less severe. We just hope that, with all the budget cuts in the NHS, the GP will be able to continue to prescribe these patches as they have made such a massive difference to my husband's day to day life, not to be suffering so and even crying out in pain. We know they are very expensive, about £70 for 2 weeks supply, but we really thought there was nothing out there to help with this agonising PHN pain. I can't remember reading about Idocaine patches on this forum . They may not perhaps work for everyone but I would certainly suggest that you try them if you can as they are certainly helping my husband.
ruth57682 Misstickle
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The 5% prescription patches were minimally helpful, but for me did not last 12 hours and after repeated use burned my skin. Also they didn't stay on well and I thought they were messy. That said, it's wonderful if they work for some. Anything to get relief. The lidocreme I get that is 4% without a prescription works better for me.
Misstickle ruth57682
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charlie58834 Misstickle
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I don't know about the UK, but in the US you can buy lidocaine gel in any well-stocked drug store. I used it for years. I also used Aspercreme, which works better for me. Both are cheap here.
Aspercreme has 10% salicylate, the active ingredient. Some people on this site have talked about Dencorub Extra Strength Heat Gel, which has 26% salicylate. I have not tried it. It may or may not work better than the Aspercreme. With Aspercreme, I can sleep much better. It does not rid one of the pain, but in my experience nothing does. It tends to work immediately for me.
ruth57682 Misstickle
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I am in the US . I get mine on amazon. 1.75 oz cost under $10. Called pain and itch relief with 4% lidocaine. I also have pain on my back and underarm and right front. I live alone and apply it on my back with a long handled wooden spoon. Really helps with the pain and itch. Maybe you could order it. I don't know how that works. Good luck. I sympathize with him.
Hinter Misstickle
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