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What Causes Numbness In The Legs And Foot?
Question: I had a bad case of the shingles about 20 years ago down my left side from my hip to my ankle; my sciatica nerve was effected. It caused a little numbness in my leg and left foot. I cannot walk, anytime, without shoes--too painful. Within the last year I have begun to have excruciating pain, at times, in my left foot and toes. It awakens me on some nights. Is there anything I can do to help this situation. My regular GP doctor says I will just have to live with it. Please help me. Thanks so much.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
What you are describing is most likely something called Post-herpetic Neuralgia which is continued nerve pain after an infection with a herpes-family virus, most typically from Shingles.
There are treatments to help with this pain. An old standard is the tricyclic antidepressant medication called amitriptyline (Elavil). This medication works at the nerve-muscle junction and can relieve this type of pain. It can be sedating initially so I usually start people at a very low dose and then work up to a therapeutic dose gradually. If taken at bedtime, it may also help with sedation. I have seen success with this medication in people I've prescribed it for post-herpetic pain.
A newer medication is gabapentin (Neurontin). This medication is frequently used for nerve/muscle pain these days. I tend to be more cautious with this medication because we are still learning about it's side effects, but it is commonly used.
If your regular doctor is uncomfortable treating this consider seeing a neurologist.
But there is the possibility for pain from Shingles, even when it occurred years ago, to be lessened or relieved.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
What you are describing is most likely something called Post-herpetic Neuralgia which is continued nerve pain after an infection with a herpes-family virus, most typically from Shingles.
There are treatments to help with this pain. An old standard is the tricyclic antidepressant medication called amitriptyline (Elavil). This medication works at the nerve-muscle junction and can relieve this type of pain. It can be sedating initially so I usually start people at a very low dose and then work up to a therapeutic dose gradually. If taken at bedtime, it may also help with sedation. I have seen success with this medication in people I've prescribed it for post-herpetic pain.
A newer medication is gabapentin (Neurontin). This medication is frequently used for nerve/muscle pain these days. I tend to be more cautious with this medication because we are still learning about it's side effects, but it is commonly used.
If your regular doctor is uncomfortable treating this consider seeing a neurologist.
But there is the possibility for pain from Shingles, even when it occurred years ago, to be lessened or relieved.
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
Answered by
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