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Suggest Treatment For Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Question: I was diagnosed with XXXXXXX xxx 25 years ago. For several years i did alright( i have an underlying herplex simplex with breakouts usually one spot on my bottom and occ on lips.) I had a second flare up 5years ago and since then have recurring rounds usually every few weeks and it only effects the left side of my body anywhere between head,face,jaw to midsection, or groin area and pain radiates down left leg to feet. Everything I've read re: XXXXXXX xxxx says nothing about recurring cylcles or effecting any other part except the head region. Could something else be causing these symptoms other than the Ramsay?
I went the route of taking valtrex along with prenisone when these occurred but am leary of continuing these drugs long term. What can you advise?
I went the route of taking valtrex along with prenisone when these occurred but am leary of continuing these drugs long term. What can you advise?
Brief Answer:
Ramsay-Hunt refers to facial nerve involvement.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Ramsay-Hunt syndrome refers to infection of the facial nerve by herpesvirus.
Medically speaking, symptoms outside the face are not related to Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, so, since you are experiencing symptoms on other parts of the body, besides the face, it is not just this syndrome.
Radiating pain to leg could be related to nerve damage by shingles, but can be also related to pinched nerve by herniated disc disease, arthritis of the vertebral column, nerve compression outside spinal cord etc.
There are need to discuss with your Doctor about evaluating recurent shingles outbreak as a possible condition that may cause your symptoms, besides Ramsay-Hunt.
There is need also for evaluation of your immune system competency.
Treatment with Valrrex and short time use of steroids is the right one about shingles and Ramsay-Hunt.
Nerve conduction study of your lower extremities are needed also, to evaluate nerves affection degree and to differentiate between shingles involvement of the nerve(s) and pinched nerve.
Gabapentin could be used to control symptoms related to nerve pain.
All these issues should be discussed with your treating Doctor.
Hope I helped you.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Ramsay-Hunt refers to facial nerve involvement.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Ramsay-Hunt syndrome refers to infection of the facial nerve by herpesvirus.
Medically speaking, symptoms outside the face are not related to Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, so, since you are experiencing symptoms on other parts of the body, besides the face, it is not just this syndrome.
Radiating pain to leg could be related to nerve damage by shingles, but can be also related to pinched nerve by herniated disc disease, arthritis of the vertebral column, nerve compression outside spinal cord etc.
There are need to discuss with your Doctor about evaluating recurent shingles outbreak as a possible condition that may cause your symptoms, besides Ramsay-Hunt.
There is need also for evaluation of your immune system competency.
Treatment with Valrrex and short time use of steroids is the right one about shingles and Ramsay-Hunt.
Nerve conduction study of your lower extremities are needed also, to evaluate nerves affection degree and to differentiate between shingles involvement of the nerve(s) and pinched nerve.
Gabapentin could be used to control symptoms related to nerve pain.
All these issues should be discussed with your treating Doctor.
Hope I helped you.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you for answering me.. Each time the symptoms start with XXXXXXX hunt symptoms which def include facial nerves, eye, ear pain, jaw pain and or tenderness sometimes but not always with loss of taste..all on the left side lasts 3 weeks and can be very painful. There are no outward lesions. The fact that this same type of pain manifests in different areas(almost cyclic in nature) and all lasts the 3 weeks and all on the left side only, in addition to recurring so frequently is what has me wondering if we are dealing with two issues or at least relating to the XXXXXXX My current Dr. feels it is herpes simplex relating to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I have had two very distinct episodes of "Ramsay, the most recent within past 5years and ever since that time, symptoms recur regularly every few weeks and precipitated by stressful events. Each time it feels as though the nerves in the face and the drawing of eye(which cannot close all the way) will stay this way. It may be an irrational fear of mine but that is what happened in those first two episodes before I was treated with prednisone and valtrex on a regular basis when I felt this coming on.
I am following up and just trying to reach out to see if anyone knows what is causing this to continue to recur so much and what it is I am actually dealing with. It has been very time consuming and debilitating.
Thank you for your time.
I am following up and just trying to reach out to see if anyone knows what is causing this to continue to recur so much and what it is I am actually dealing with. It has been very time consuming and debilitating.
Thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since symptoms are migrating in other parts of the body, Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is not the cause of your symptoms.
Both, Ramsay-Hunt and neuralgic pain can be caused by herpes virus infection, and both conditions may coexist.
Treatment about neuralgia, as I said before, includes Gabapentin, Pregabalin.
Get tested about herpes infection. Nerve conduction study also, gives valuable information about diagnosis.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Since symptoms are migrating in other parts of the body, Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is not the cause of your symptoms.
Both, Ramsay-Hunt and neuralgic pain can be caused by herpes virus infection, and both conditions may coexist.
Treatment about neuralgia, as I said before, includes Gabapentin, Pregabalin.
Get tested about herpes infection. Nerve conduction study also, gives valuable information about diagnosis.
Hope I helped you.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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