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Suggest Treatment For Shingles
My mother 85 developed shingles 6-8 weeks ago..obvious signs and symptoms were outbreak of rash with associated pain ,malaise ,tiredness and loss of appetite .she was given the course of acicliavir but the most worrying thing is the continued lack of interest in eating,she refuses to eat anything....just a dry biscuit or just a mouthful of something....no obvious signs of abdominal tenderness,even had bowel scan which was all clear....she manages to drink just enough fluids and take heart medication ,but complains of continued nausea..and now of course becoming very weak and virtually confined to bed,in our local cottage hospital...we are beginning to get worried if she will ever start to pick up...tried various antacids and nausea medication...even increased her dose of omiprasole...beginning to think it s become a mental issue and due to related depression...please give me your opinion and suggestions thanks
Mon, 15 Dec 2014
Hello and thanks for your question. She may have developed depression. It would not hurt to give her a trial of antidepressant medication. Is she still in pain? Sometimes people develop something called post-herpetic neuralgia which can cause pain after shingles for up to a year. If she has this then pain medications and gabapentin may help ease her pain. Try to get her to take in very high calorie foods when she is willing to eat as she will need to have significant caloric intake to regain her strength. Supplement shakes like Ensure would also be good as this would give her complete nutrition. Good luck to you and I hope she recovers soon.
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