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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Shingles On The Back
Question: I have shingles which started 9 days ago. with the onset of shingles which are on my lower right side of my back over my kidney area, came a deep aching pain that comes from inside my abdomen, almost it seems from the kidney area. Pain killers make it easier to deal with but without the pain medication it is very debilitating. these symptoms do not appear in the symptoms from shingles. would this still be pain from shingles or is it likely something else?
Brief Answer:
Could be related to shingles.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your symptoms, and they are suggestive of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN occurs in some people (10-20%) after shingles. The skin lesions would heal, but the pain (or tingling and burning) persist.
This can be treated with medications such as pregabalin capsules and carbamazepine tablets.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Could be related to shingles.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your symptoms, and they are suggestive of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN occurs in some people (10-20%) after shingles. The skin lesions would heal, but the pain (or tingling and burning) persist.
This can be treated with medications such as pregabalin capsules and carbamazepine tablets.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr XXXXXXX
My shingles have not cleared up yet. the deep aching pain began the same time my shingles started. does phn show up that early in the onset of shingles? is the deep aching pain symptom common with phn symptoms?
thank you
My shingles have not cleared up yet. the deep aching pain began the same time my shingles started. does phn show up that early in the onset of shingles? is the deep aching pain symptom common with phn symptoms?
thank you
Brief Answer:
PHN can show up quite early
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, PHN pain can start very early in the course, and even along with active shingles.
The duration of symptoms vary, but on average last from a few weeks to 3-6 months. Only in about 10% of people, they can last for a few years also.
The medications I mentioned are only for alleviation of pain, and there is no medicine for healing (healing occurs on own due to regeneration of damaged nerves).
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
PHN can show up quite early
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, PHN pain can start very early in the course, and even along with active shingles.
The duration of symptoms vary, but on average last from a few weeks to 3-6 months. Only in about 10% of people, they can last for a few years also.
The medications I mentioned are only for alleviation of pain, and there is no medicine for healing (healing occurs on own due to regeneration of damaged nerves).
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr XXXXXXX
what are the advantages of that sort of pain killer versus nsaid or vicodin or hydrocodone?
thanks
xxxxxxx
what are the advantages of that sort of pain killer versus nsaid or vicodin or hydrocodone?
thanks
xxxxxxx
Brief Answer:
Pregabalin/Carbamazepine are efficacious and safer.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Pregabalin and carbamazepine are more efficacious as well as safer, as compared to NSAID/hydrocodone, etc. They have been tested in rigorous clinical trials, and their efficacy and safety established. Also, if needed, they can be safely taken over long term.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Pregabalin/Carbamazepine are efficacious and safer.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Pregabalin and carbamazepine are more efficacious as well as safer, as compared to NSAID/hydrocodone, etc. They have been tested in rigorous clinical trials, and their efficacy and safety established. Also, if needed, they can be safely taken over long term.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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