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Got Treated For Bladder Cancer, Scalp Looked Like It Was On Fire And Had Painful Head. Cause?
Question: I'm being treated for bladder cancer. When I arrived home from my treatment on Friday my scalp looked like it was on fire on the right side of my head and it is very, very painful. Could this be shingles? I've had chicken pox. What can I do? Help!
Brief Answer:
Yes, could be shingles
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear abut your battle with cancer of the bladder and this recent very intense pains on the right side of your head.
From the unilateral nature of your symptoms, the history of chicken pox and the suppressed immune system from chemotherapy, shingles is the most likely cause.
Its management mainly consists in controlling the pains. Pains are best controlled with drugs like gabapentin, amytryptyline, codeine etc. These are all prescription medications and you would need to see a doctor for this.
Unless it becomes very severe or involves the eyes, we do not prescribe acyclovir which is the mainstay for drug therapy. Is this pain involving the eyes? If yes, then we would need to consider starting antiviral treatment to speed up recovery and minimize complications if examination still suggests so.
My suggestion is that you get evaluated by a doctor. He would consider starting treatment is findings on examination are suggestive of shingles.
I hope this addresses your query fully and provides guidance on how to approach it. Feel free to ask me follow up questions if clarifications are needed. I wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD
Yes, could be shingles
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear abut your battle with cancer of the bladder and this recent very intense pains on the right side of your head.
From the unilateral nature of your symptoms, the history of chicken pox and the suppressed immune system from chemotherapy, shingles is the most likely cause.
Its management mainly consists in controlling the pains. Pains are best controlled with drugs like gabapentin, amytryptyline, codeine etc. These are all prescription medications and you would need to see a doctor for this.
Unless it becomes very severe or involves the eyes, we do not prescribe acyclovir which is the mainstay for drug therapy. Is this pain involving the eyes? If yes, then we would need to consider starting antiviral treatment to speed up recovery and minimize complications if examination still suggests so.
My suggestion is that you get evaluated by a doctor. He would consider starting treatment is findings on examination are suggestive of shingles.
I hope this addresses your query fully and provides guidance on how to approach it. Feel free to ask me follow up questions if clarifications are needed. I wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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