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Shingles on left arm and shoulder

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karla97486
karla97486

Week 4 with these shingles. The pain is still real bad in my shoulder and today my neck is stiff. My arm is raw from the blisters. Anyone have any suggestions how to quit the burning and pain in my shoulder.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Ellie1943
    Ellie1943 karla97486

    Posted

    Hi Karla. Have you been prescribed any medication for this? It sounds like PHN or post herpetic neuralgia.Your GP can give you something for this. Apart from that you could try warm baths and just soak awhile with arm in the water. Try not to use it too much at the moment, you need more rest than usual while your body fights the virus. For the blisters, oatmeal baths are supposed to help. I'm sure your Doc could prescribe a cream or ointment too or ask a pharmacist if there's anything recommended. It's a horrible illness and takes some time to feel better. Please rest as much as possible and see your GP again. Best wishes, Pollyanna UK
  • sandi01178
    sandi01178 karla97486

    Posted

    hi karla = sorry you have to deal with this stupid disease. i am just getting over my first case of the shingles. i am also dealing with 2 herniated discs in my back also and am on lycra for the nerve pain. even tho the shingles covered my whole left thigh = the pain was bearable kinda like an x'treme sunburn.......i'm guessing the rx helped. hope you get relief soon
  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 karla97486

    Posted

    Hi Karla,

    I am so sorry for your suffering. We are here for you.

    What, if any medications, has your clinician prescribed for you? Hopefully, you were given an antiviral for the first seven days. You should also have been given analgesics for the pain. As the pain seems rather severe, please go to your physician and ask for Opioids such as oxycodone. Tramadol can be used for moderate pain. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is useless.

    Lyrica or Neurontin can help relieve the neuropathic or electric pain, but you need to use the strong Opioids in conjunction with Lyrica or Neurontin.

    As you are in the one month mark, it is now considered "post herpetic neuralgia." Your physician needs to be your partner in pain control stat! If not, fire him or her, and find a clinician who will help you get the pain under control.

    Herpes Zoster-Shingles is considered one of the most excruciating painful conditions of the human race. Physicians have an obligation to relieve suffering and pain.

    I have had Herpes Zoster Oticus in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 20 years. I understand the importance of pain control. I am a nurse practitioner in the States. I use Auralgon ear drops which has Benzocaine, Topamax, which is an anticonvulsant similar to neurontin, and an Opioid. Without these medications, I could not survive these recurrent episodes of Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

    Please let me know how you do.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

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