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Have Painful Shingles On Right Chest, Nerve Pain. Took Lyrica, Aleve, Hydrocortisone. Need Suggestion
Hi, I am a 73 yo Asian woman. I just missed taking the vaccine and I ve suffered from very painful shingles on my right chest and back for almost a month now. Most of my rashes are still not scabbing and awful nerve pains persisted even after I took an anti-viral drug two days after the rashes appeared and been taking Lyrica (50 mgs) three times a day. Lyrica doesn t seem to alleviate my pain, Aleve seems to work better. I also put hydrocortisone or calamine lotion on the shingles rash twice a day. I am really desperate. I need a shingles specialist online to give me some medical advice and guidance. Thanks very much. Regards, Showay Wu
Fri, 22 Nov 2013
Hi,
Since you have developed shingles, you should have started with antivirals right away after consulting a dermatologist.
Starting antivirals as soon as possible helps in decreasing the lesions as well as reduces the chances of developing post herpetic neuralgia.
Post herpetic neuralgia is the persistence of severe pain associated with shingles even after the lesions have healed.
You should consult a dermatologist soon so that adequate antivirals can be started along with adequate pain relief measures.
Although you are taking pregabalin, but there are various other options for pain relief associated with shingles.
But i would like to tell you that even with treatment, some pain and discomfort associated with shingles may continue for months together.
Dr Geetika Paul
MD(Dermatology)
Since you have developed shingles, you should have started with antivirals right away after consulting a dermatologist.
Starting antivirals as soon as possible helps in decreasing the lesions as well as reduces the chances of developing post herpetic neuralgia.
Post herpetic neuralgia is the persistence of severe pain associated with shingles even after the lesions have healed.
You should consult a dermatologist soon so that adequate antivirals can be started along with adequate pain relief measures.
Although you are taking pregabalin, but there are various other options for pain relief associated with shingles.
But i would like to tell you that even with treatment, some pain and discomfort associated with shingles may continue for months together.
Dr Geetika Paul
MD(Dermatology)
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