Herpetic Neuraligia, (nerve pain)

[Guest guest]

HI again, this is a follow up to the Shingles article since someone asked how it's treated... Generally they use the anti-viral meds like they do for Herpes, and also mention the PHN (post herpetic neuraligia) one may be left with (either with Shingles or Herpes)

SO..... they also included this list of treatments and you'll notice the same meds are often suggested for vulvodynia. I'm sure you'll recognize most of them.

'For postherpetic neuralgia, medications for nerve pain may be needed.

These include anti-seizure drugs such as gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenytoin (Dilantin); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramine), and doxepin (Adapine); a lidocaine patch 5% (Lidoderm); or capsaicin cream (Dolorac, Trixaicin, Zostrix, Zostrix-HP).''

Dee~

[Guest guest]

HI CC

I assume shingles would show up with a biopsy, (maybe just a blood test?) it's probably similiar to Herpes which it's sometimes mistaken for. But then Herpes doesn't always have a rash or pimples either and is why it's so often overlooked or misdiagnosed and it's such a taboo word I think some might prefer vulvodynia or LS to having herpes, unfortunately. It's a mind set I think. Of course I don't mean everyone, *grin*.

I've just seen it too often overlooked, when down the road (and I've had more than a handful write me privately over these years) in the end it 'was' herpes but they didn't even want to be tested for it and certainly didn't want to admit it even to the lists. It's a shame when it can be controlled fairly easily and at least with an outbreak you know relief is ahead, (till the next one) hopefully far apart.

Listen to just two that I received and this women happened to have LS and yes you can have other V pain, PLUS herpes and why it's often not thought of. But IF you do and you use things like a steroid or an immunomodulator, you can bet it will only contribute to 'more' pain. Steroids or Protopic or Elidel are suggested to not use if one has herpes or any virual infection like HPV as well.

Here they are..... She gave me permission to use it but no name....

Quote.....

"Dear Dee,

I have never told a soul but you and I ain't gonna. Truly the LS is there of course , by biopsy as well. But all those ulcers and bumps and open sores, even rashes and blisters they talk about, You can bet it is the H. I would have 'never' believed it either, with the 15 yr time with the same man and 8 yrs with no sex! Believe it! It has happened to me!

You can tell that on the list if you like, just leave my name out of it. That is how it is. I thought it was an " ulcer " or 'sore' like everybody else talks about, until YOU told me it sounded like the BIG H . I beat it right to the Dr then and there and sure enough , there it was. DAMN"................

# 2 a different person.......

I had a herpes outbreak for a year-and-a-half and no doctor (I saw MANY) figured out what it was in that time. It looked nothing like it - no blisters or rashes, and it had started just after I started using clobetasol.

I just had a vaguely red area on my bottom only that faded but left terrible pain behind. Finally, one decided to do a blood test as a shot-in-the-dark. It was positive for Herpes 2. I had 'never' had any kind of outbreak before.

Within 2 weeks of starting Valtrex 2X a day, the horrible pain was almost gone. I went on 1X a day maintenance for about 3 months then stopped. Then I tried using Elidel, and the same problem happened, so back on the Valtrex which again cleared it up. I'm off the maintenance dose, again, and know better than to put an immune suppressor on my bum now....

Those are just two I've received, over time there have been quite a few more, so I hope that anyone who consistenly is getting worse and worse and nothing seems to help to please please check for the possibility of Herpes and at least rule that 'and' Shingles out.

Dee~

[Guest guest]

Hi Dee,

I had shingles about 7 years ago on my breast and im telling you those were worse than any vulva pain I have indured,After the shingles I did get post herpectic neuralgia,which lasted about 6 months.

Annd now my nuerologist believes I have the same post herpectic neualgia without the outbreak.My MRI showed some nerve damage but not enough to treat me with famvir,but The neurontin sure does help.I am now on 1800 mgs and am doing much better although its been 5 months on this drug and he says I will be on it for at least a year as thats how long he thinks it takes for the nerves to settle into place.

I have never had an outbreak since having the shingles but as we all know the virus does lay dormant and then attacks when we are under stress.

Just wanted to share my shingles story to all that might wonder about them

And an update,

Im doing very well right now and alot of my inflammation is gone,but I do use estrace cream as well,

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[Guest guest]

HI Melanee,

Thanks for your story of the Shingles, the few people i know with it say it's really bad as well, glad you haven't had a relapse of them. Also really good to hear that the Neurontin and the Estrace is working so well for you. I found it interesting in that article about the same drugs used for PHN (post herpatic neuralgia) left from Herpes, were the same ones so many use for V pain and it makes sense as to why. Even with them mentioning the capsaicin.

Dee~