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Am I At Risk Of Immune Attack Leading To Severe Pain In My Body When I Am On Lidocaine For Sciatica?

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Posted on Fri, 20 Jan 2023
Question: I had intense sustained left butt pain 10 years back. In six months, I got Shingles. Some doctors told me that my immune system was busy fighting the pain and that gave a chance to Shingles to attack. Does this logic make sense?
Three years back, I had chronic pain and infection in some upper left teeth. In 2 months, my left eye vision went down sharply due to some immune attack. It became fine after treatment. Does it mean immune system becomes crooked with chronic pain and infection?
Today I have sciatica for 3 weeks. I apply Lidocaine patches and sometimes take Aleve. The pain is subdued but there. Am I again at risk for immune attack? If I take more pain killer, does that mean immune system does not realize the pain just like I dont feel it. Please respond point wise.
BTW I had Shingles vaccine 5 years back.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No, this is not true.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

No this is not true.

Answer to your 1st question.
No, this is not logical explanation. Chronic pain can not modify or reduce your immunity. So chronic pain does not make you prone for infection like shingles.

Answer to your 2nd question.
Immune system has no effect of chronic pain. But infection do have effect on immunity.
Chronic pain is affecting more on nerves, pain threshold and pain perception.

Answer to your 3rd question.
Painkillers directly does not cause reduction in immunity and immunosuppression. So you are not at risk of shingles or any other infection.
Chronic ingestion of painkillers cause gastritis and gastric ulcer. They in turn cause low appetite, poor absorption and ultimately malnutrition. This can cause reduced immunity.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Regards
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15003 Questions

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Am I At Risk Of Immune Attack Leading To Severe Pain In My Body When I Am On Lidocaine For Sciatica?

Brief Answer: No, this is not true. Detailed Answer: Hello, No this is not true. Answer to your 1st question. No, this is not logical explanation. Chronic pain can not modify or reduce your immunity. So chronic pain does not make you prone for infection like shingles. Answer to your 2nd question. Immune system has no effect of chronic pain. But infection do have effect on immunity. Chronic pain is affecting more on nerves, pain threshold and pain perception. Answer to your 3rd question. Painkillers directly does not cause reduction in immunity and immunosuppression. So you are not at risk of shingles or any other infection. Chronic ingestion of painkillers cause gastritis and gastric ulcer. They in turn cause low appetite, poor absorption and ultimately malnutrition. This can cause reduced immunity. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks. Regards