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What Causes Radiating Pain Through Leg, Lesions On Head, Face Or Groin Area?

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Posted on Sat, 7 Nov 2015
Question: I was diagnosed with XXXXXXX Hunt 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 Hunt 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?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
this is not XXXXXXX Hunt syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

A syndrome is a collection of symptoms. The XXXXXXX Hunt syndrome involves the head only. There is no XXXXXXX Hunt syndrome without the head symptoms. The same cause though (varicella zoster virus [VZV] which causes chickenpox) may affect various parts of the body. Almost always the affected area is well demarcated and extending to the area covered by a single nerve (unilaterally). VZV may rarely cause myelitis which may cause more extended symptoms. I've never seen such a case but it is possible.

I would suggest you to visit a neurologist and do an MRI scan. The neurologist will determine the right area to be scanned after examining you. The MRI may reveal affected areas of the spinal cord for example and then the cause of these lesions would have to be determined. I have some doubts that VZV causes your symptoms but I can neither exclude nor confirm it.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (11 hours later)
Thank you very much for your time and your suggestions. The Dr. i am currently seeing feels this is herpex simplex not recurring XXXXXXX However, When these bouts recur They always involve the head, ears, facial nerves,jaw, dry eye, and I am affected in the midsection or groin, occassionally lips, rash in arm pit. I apply Angstrom silver to the outer skin to relieve and keep symptoms from fully errupting. Also take 1tsp 2x day internally and this seems to minimize the symptoms but they occur with such frequency the Dr. has put me on gabapentin? for the nerve pain. I take 2,000mg of lysine every morning,sambuactin, and nerve sp 14 and lemon balm. All which since doing these, keeps things from becoming too intense but has not helped to eliminate this condition. This isn't going away is it?? Used to take valtrex and prednisone when I felt this coming on because former Dr. saw this as only way to control it.
And laws prevent Dr. from doing alternative therapy, which I have sought out and done. When this comes on it very much presents itself as XXXXXXX but when it affects other parts of the body that's where the questions come in and it's ONLY on the left side of the body and lasts 3 weeks each time. If I am very busy and forget to do my therapies I break out worse...Stopped valtrex and prednisone because of calcium leakage from my bones and the added weight gain each time I took prednisone plus how it afftected my mood(let's just say I didn't like myself by the end of the ten days, made me very edgy and angry).
It's like a vicious cycle. I know when it's coming on because I will get very exhausted and sleepy one week prior, then crave chocolate or peanut butter or both, then the icthing and then ta da....it arrives. Very scary when it affects the nerves in my face because I am always afraid it will cause the muscles to freeze permanently and I will go back to the droopy, drooling mess I was when I had these other two extreme outbreaks. Did I say that I am also affected by a loss of taste, not every time, but often enough. I had a complete hysterectomy 17 years ago and it's like this has replaced those horrible period cycles I had which necessitated the hysterectomy and now this... Thanks for letting me vent. I need more eyes and ears on this subject because, not being a Dr. I just want to know WHY? and what to do about it? and It's looking more like a permanent deal....I'm only 59 and have been dealing with this more and more in the past 5 years. I also have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. The MRI will have to wait until we can come up with more $ because I just had one on my knee, so it'll have to wait till next spring.. I have missed so many of the children's moments because of this nonsense. I have an appt with the cardiologist next because heart disease is prevalent in our family and I have not been able to get my cholesterol into normal range through diet last 15 years. Also experiencing bluing of fingernails, hands and occ around bulb of nose and blue/grey tint to face from time to time.
Thank you again for getting back to me and I will take your thoughts under advisement. I hope you can understand why this is all so perplexing to me and obviously the Dr. in our very rural little town. My mother always said that when I got sick, I did it up big.....
Have a great rest of your day...


Again, thank you very much for your time. You are the second physician to suggest a visit to the neurologist. Unfortunately, acyclovir reeks havoc on my intestinal track.

At this point, would getting the shingles vaccine be a detriment or help to me?

Thank you..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I don't believe it's herpes but it has to be clarified

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!

I've read your description and I don't believe this is herpes. Herpes reactivation commonly involves a much smaller area compared to the initial infection but in your case it's the opposite and the duration is typically shorter, although a longer course cannot be excluded.

Besides that, since such an extended involvement is unusual I would suggest testing the lesions (if they appear) to determine whether they are caused by herpes or not. I would also insist on being checked by a neurologist and doing the MRI scan.

Regarding recurrences, some patients do experience a lot of them. In such cases a small dose of acyclovir can be given daily to prevent further recurrences. 500-1000mg of valacyclovir daily is enough.

Kind Regards!

Brief Answer:
you can do it

Detailed Answer:
Shingles vaccine is recommended for people 60 years old or older, so you can do it (you're 59 which is very close to 60). As I said, I don't believe it will help you, since your case does not seem like shingles. And remember that shingles is caused by varicella zoster virus, not herpes simplex virus.

Regarding treatment, does valacyclovir also cause acyclovir's side effects? There are more choices of antiviral drugs and you can consult your doctor about them.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (18 minutes later)
So, basically, until we know for sure if it is varicella zoster virus or herpes simplex virus getting the vaccine should be put on hold? Valtrex does work better, but is very expensive, which is main reason i dropped it. It was over 300.00 3-4 years ago for 15 pills.. Of course, i didn't have insurance back then so I would have to see if my current ins. co would cover some of it.

thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you can do the vaccine...

Detailed Answer:
The vaccine is not supposed to affect you in a negative way. And it's irrelevant to treatment. You should seek a diagnosis no matter what.
It's a good idea to check whether valacyclovir is covered because it will give you another choice of treatment.

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3819 Questions

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What Causes Radiating Pain Through Leg, Lesions On Head, Face Or Groin Area?

Brief Answer: this is not XXXXXXX Hunt syndrome Detailed Answer: Hello, A syndrome is a collection of symptoms. The XXXXXXX Hunt syndrome involves the head only. There is no XXXXXXX Hunt syndrome without the head symptoms. The same cause though (varicella zoster virus [VZV] which causes chickenpox) may affect various parts of the body. Almost always the affected area is well demarcated and extending to the area covered by a single nerve (unilaterally). VZV may rarely cause myelitis which may cause more extended symptoms. I've never seen such a case but it is possible. I would suggest you to visit a neurologist and do an MRI scan. The neurologist will determine the right area to be scanned after examining you. The MRI may reveal affected areas of the spinal cord for example and then the cause of these lesions would have to be determined. I have some doubts that VZV causes your symptoms but I can neither exclude nor confirm it. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!