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Suggest Treatment For Tenderness And Red Blisters On Waistline
Question: The last of October, I began having tenderness just above my waistline in the back and front. After a few days I noticed red blisters on my right side in the same area of the tenderness with only a few in the back. Went to the doctor and he diagnosed "shingles" and gave me a valacyclovir 1gm and prednisone 10 mg which I began taking on Nov 2. The blisters disappeared within a week or two and the tenderness disappeared within a day. The tenderness reappeared January 1 and has continued to become very sensitive to the touch each day thereafter. It is painful to rub a towel over it or when shirt moves against the area in both front or back. It does hurt when I mash on it. Pain on first contact, but harder I press, no pain. I went back to my GP and he prescribed Tramadol 50 mg twice daily which I have taken since XXXXXXX 4. The tenderness persists - I see no change. I am feeling drowsy and having a sinus reaction. Do I need to
continue with the medication and do you have any idea why I am having this tenderness. What is my next step to determine what is causing the tenderness. Thank you, Fowler (Gene) Walker
continue with the medication and do you have any idea why I am having this tenderness. What is my next step to determine what is causing the tenderness. Thank you, Fowler (Gene) Walker
Brief Answer:
You have developed post herpetic neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at Health Care Magic
I have gone through your history.
You are having post herpetic neuralgia which is the most common complication of shingles. It occurs in some individuals after shingles and persists for few months. It presents with pain, burning or parasthesias over the areas affected by shingles.
In such cases I recommend my patients to take Tablet GABAPENTIN 300 mg Twice daily along with Tablet AMITRIPTYLINE 25 mg Twice daily. This needs to be continued for atleast 2-3 months depending on the response.
If you are not having relief with tramadol (which also causes drowsiness) you can stop it
These are prescription medicines and you need to see the doctor in person to get them.
I hope to have answered your query.
Wish you speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Asmeet
You have developed post herpetic neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at Health Care Magic
I have gone through your history.
You are having post herpetic neuralgia which is the most common complication of shingles. It occurs in some individuals after shingles and persists for few months. It presents with pain, burning or parasthesias over the areas affected by shingles.
In such cases I recommend my patients to take Tablet GABAPENTIN 300 mg Twice daily along with Tablet AMITRIPTYLINE 25 mg Twice daily. This needs to be continued for atleast 2-3 months depending on the response.
If you are not having relief with tramadol (which also causes drowsiness) you can stop it
These are prescription medicines and you need to see the doctor in person to get them.
I hope to have answered your query.
Wish you speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Asmeet
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Dr. Sawhney, Thank you for the information - is much more than my doctor shared with me and is reassuring to know I do not have a disease. Is the medication you are suggesting similar to Tramadol to accomplish the same objection to curtail the tenderness. Does it have the same side effects. Why would my doctor prescribe Tramadol instead of Gabapentin and Amitriptyline. Also, How does shingles affect the body? Why the tenderness and length of time to heal? Thanks, Gene Walker
Brief Answer:
Details below
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back to HCM
The medications I have recommended have different mechanism of action than tramadol but they will definitely help your symptoms.
Even tramadol is a good medicine for these side effects of shingles but since it is not helping you much thats why I asked you to stop it. There are many medicines for post herpetic neuralgia and it depends on doctor's experience which he or she thinks is the most effective for the symptoms of post herpetic neuralgia mentioned by the patient.
As for side effects, these medicines are not much apart from sleepiness in some patients.
Shingles mainly affects the nerves and the virus persists in the nerves as a latent infection to activate whenever there are any stresses in the body. Tenderness is due to involvement of the nerves in the region affected by the virus and healing of the nerves takes time.
I hope to have answered your queries and would be happy to clarify any further doubts.
Regards
Details below
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back to HCM
The medications I have recommended have different mechanism of action than tramadol but they will definitely help your symptoms.
Even tramadol is a good medicine for these side effects of shingles but since it is not helping you much thats why I asked you to stop it. There are many medicines for post herpetic neuralgia and it depends on doctor's experience which he or she thinks is the most effective for the symptoms of post herpetic neuralgia mentioned by the patient.
As for side effects, these medicines are not much apart from sleepiness in some patients.
Shingles mainly affects the nerves and the virus persists in the nerves as a latent infection to activate whenever there are any stresses in the body. Tenderness is due to involvement of the nerves in the region affected by the virus and healing of the nerves takes time.
I hope to have answered your queries and would be happy to clarify any further doubts.
Regards
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. Arnab Banerjee
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