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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Rashes On The Back. Diagnosed With Herpes Zoster. What To Do To Relieve From Pain? Chances Of Nerve Damage?

Sir, My mother is 64 years old and she recently got Herpes Zoster . She developed rashes/ shingles on her back, hand and under armpits ( right side). Now her rashes/shingles have dried but she is having lot of pain near her back, shoulders. Its almost 1 1/2 months since she had this. Can u help me ? what is to be done to relieve her from this horrible pain. She is taking medicines for the pain as prescribed by her doctors. Also can u pls tell me what could be the aftermath of zoster attack, i mean any damage of nerve cells etc. Thanking u in advance.
Wed, 30 Jan 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello dear...
The condition your mother is suffering from is called as Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)
This pain may stay for many months even after the lesions have subsided.
Pain killer tablets are usually of not much help.
She needs to take a nerve stabilizing agent like Gabapentin for few months.
Although this will help, but there is no permanent cure to this condition.
Don't worry about the nerve damage...there will be only pain & nothing more.
Wishing your mother a good health.
Thanks & take care.
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Dermatologist,  Dr. Sudarshan's  Response
Hi ,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for writing in.
The condition you are dealing with is PHN or post herpetic neuralgia.
Amitryptaline and pregabalin can help a lot in the condition.
Also TENS technique can help in reducing the pain.
Consult a qualified dermatologist to help you with the procedure

Hope this helps.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
DrSudarshan
MD
Dermatology.
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Dermatologist,  Dr. Puvvula Kishore Kumar's  Response
Hi.....user..,
This conditiion is called HERPETIC NEURALGIA..,
First try for..... Antidepressants...Amitryptalene and Hydrallazine(Amixide -H)..,
daily night times.....or
if not respond....Carbamazepine citrate...Tegretal 200 mg daily..,
Along with Methylcoblalmine..Mecbal 1500mg daily..will give better results
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Rashes On The Back. Diagnosed With Herpes Zoster. What To Do To Relieve From Pain? Chances Of Nerve Damage?

Hello dear... The condition your mother is suffering from is called as Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) This pain may stay for many months even after the lesions have subsided. Pain killer tablets are usually of not much help. She needs to take a nerve stabilizing agent like Gabapentin for few months. Although this will help, but there is no permanent cure to this condition. Don t worry about the nerve damage...there will be only pain & nothing more. Wishing your mother a good health. Thanks & take care.