What Can Be Done To Rid The Pain Of Nerve Damage From Shingles

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

What Is Shingles? Shingles is a very painful disease caused by the same herpes virus that causes chicken pox (varicella zoster virus). Like other herpes viruses, the varicella-zoster virus has an initial infectious stage, (chicken pox) followed by a dormant stage. Then, with no warning, the virus becomes active again. About 20% of people who have had chicken pox will eventually develop shingles. This reactivation of the virus is most likely to...

Ask the Experts

diagnosed with shingles at 11

I am 26 years old and have had attacks of pain from shingles since i was 11. the attacks usually lasts about two minutes and are dormant for months. Recently, they have become extreme and close together. I got shingles from having chicken pox...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Sometimes shingles will cause persistent pain for months or years, especially after a severe episode. This syndrome is called "post-herpetic neuralgia". Many of the medications that are used to alleviate the pain of peripheral neuropathy... Read more »

Shingles SUCK

The facts - Discovered I was positive after a Shingles breakout a year ago. Started HIV treatment at 100K viral load, CD4 of 64. Responded quickly to Combivir-Crixivan treatment - undetectable VL, CD4=100 after 6 weeks. Demanded a switch to a life...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Unfortunately, many people experience "post-herpetic neuralgia", which means that it still hurts after the lesions have healed. That is because when the shingles virus travels down the sensory nerves to an area os skin where the outbreak... Read more »

Lipodystrophy causing nerve compression and shingles?

Hello,I have mild lipoatrophy in my buttocks and thighs and I wondered if the added sitting pressure on the nerves in those areas could cause a shingles outbreak because you are basically disturbing the nerves in those areas. I've been very...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Certainly some patientss seem to suffer more compression of leg nerves from sitting when they lose the "cushion" of buttock fat due to fat loss associated with HIV or its treatment. I am not aware of that triggering shingles in the... Read more »

shingle relief

What is the most effective treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia?...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

No treatment works consistently well in everybody. Elavil and Neurontin are often helpful as are reasonable use of analgesics such as tylenol, motrin, or narcotic agents. Some people get some relief with analgesic ointments. The pain often... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

shingles

Posted by tboy, 2 Replies

last week I was diagnosed with shingles. I didn't get nearly the attention of the doctors or information I needed. Oh sure I recieved a prescription but not much information. I'm taking acyclovir (sp?) It is painful to sleep and my leg looks... Read more »

Shingles = HIV?

Posted by grcboy30, 5 Replies

Hi there.
I had chicken pox at 5 years old so can develop shingles. I haven't been to the doctor yet but have what I am pretty sure is shingles on the side of my chest (a pink rash which is itchy with bumps). I am terrified of HIV. I am only 30... Read more »

shingles?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

i had a sexual encounter yesterday with a guy who appeared to have shingles. when i asked him he said it was eczema, which i did not argue, but while changing him in sexual positions i did noticed that the shingles were in his ankles, and other body... Read more »

How Does the Stress Response Damage Your Health?

Posted by Anonymous

How Does the Stress Response Damage Your Health?

Evolution has twisted together the brain, hormones, and immunde system of primates, including us. The stress reaction that's so protective against short-term danger can wreak havoc on the body if it... Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>