Question: In August 2012, I came down with shingles. I had pain in my lower right back for 8 days with was bearable. I thought I slept wrong. By tha 8th day the pain traveled to my lower right abdomen, the rash appeared 10th day at er the pain started. It spread down my right leg. I was prescribed an antiviral, predinasone, and morphine.

The rash cleared up in about two weeks, but the pain stayed. I was out of work for 6 weeks but within the year I was let go because of errors due to severe pain and my meds. I've been on gabapentine, Lyrica, and now Gralise. I started with th the Fentanyl patch and now Butrans patch. I also take Welbutrin and Cymbalta. Needless to say but in still in pain, some days are ok and others are excruciating. I've also had spinal cord steroid injections with no relief. A year after the rash cleared, my primary Doctor said I should get the Shingles Vaccine. I have had two outbreaks, one very light and the other was moderate.

My pain doctor wants me off the pain meds because I've been on them so longer, which i understand. The suggestion is to try a spinal cord simulator, but I've had 4 doctors advise me not to go that direction. One was fron an infectious disease doctor, who said not to because he has seen the ones that become infected. So, I'm looking for other
options. I've heard of freezing the nerves but I am having trouble finding doctors in my area. Actually, I find very little information on post herpetic neurologia on the Internet or even from my doctors.

I am turning 50 which is too young to be unable to do the activities I enjoy. Before this I was healthy, worked out 3-4 times a week and enjoying my young nieces and nephews. I also worked 8 hrs 5 days a week for nearly 19 years with the same company. Any information I may be able to pursue would be very much helpful!

Thank you, XXXXXXX