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Is Severe Pain In My Right Leg Three Weeks After Treating Shingles A Worrisome Issue?

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Posted on Mon, 17 Jan 2022
Question: I have had shingles for a little over 3 weeks my blisters have gone away. I only had very few blisters and they have completed dried up. I am still having so much pain, it's in my right leg I am only taking pain meds. Should I be taking some other meds

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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
postherpetic neuralgia- nerve pain after shingles, can occur

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Unfortunately shingles can be associated with severe pain. After the infection has resolved, persons can get post-herpetic neuralgia.

This refers to nerve pain that can persist due to this condition (shingles).

It can present with the pain, numbness and burning that you mentioned.

Pain medication can be helpful but many persons require medication specifically for nerve related pain.
Meds such as gabapentin, tegretol, lyrica, amitriptyline etc are used to treat nerve related pain (neuralgia)

They can used along with other pain killers. A prescription from your doctor would be needed to start one of these, you can consider discussing using one of these with your doctor.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is Severe Pain In My Right Leg Three Weeks After Treating Shingles A Worrisome Issue?

Brief Answer: postherpetic neuralgia- nerve pain after shingles, can occur Detailed Answer: Hi, Unfortunately shingles can be associated with severe pain. After the infection has resolved, persons can get post-herpetic neuralgia. This refers to nerve pain that can persist due to this condition (shingles). It can present with the pain, numbness and burning that you mentioned. Pain medication can be helpful but many persons require medication specifically for nerve related pain. Meds such as gabapentin, tegretol, lyrica, amitriptyline etc are used to treat nerve related pain (neuralgia) They can used along with other pain killers. A prescription from your doctor would be needed to start one of these, you can consider discussing using one of these with your doctor. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions