Post Herpetic Neuralgia

[Theland]

After suffering from shingles fairly recently, I still get some pain, and an itching burning feeling that comes and goes.
My GP prescribes Gabapentin, two, three times a day.
I would like to know if anybody has a suggestion for some topical cream or lotion that might also help.
Also, how long will this go on?
Many thanks in advance for your help.

[woofgang]

no good news for you I am afraid Theland...duration is uncertain although I understand that it can alleviate over time.

[anneasquith]

I don’t know TH, but I’ll bet a pharmacist would assist .

[Theland]

Thank you.
I have tried Calamine Lotion, and also E45.
Some relief but yes will ask pharmacist to help.

[shoota]

I found Gabapentin to be useless for Trigeminal Neuralgia so was prescribed Tegretol (Carbamazepine) instead which works much better for me.
I understand it also works on Shingles, maybe ask the Doc to try it?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/elder/4708189/Shingles-No-dont-laugh.html

[Patsy33]

Awful pain. Mine took 2 months, before it went away. Hope you can get some relief with itching. Like others have said, ask Pharmacist. Good luck.

[Theland]

Thanks Shoota and Patsy.
Will follow that up.

[Sqad]

Yes.....5% lidocaine cream should help.....not sure that it can be obtained OTC but if not, your BP would surely oblige.

The pain will ease up given time, anytime up to six months,but occasionally, only very occasionally will it be a nuisance for longer.

[Palustris]

Hope it does go away for you. I still get pain from mine and that was 20 years ago. Seems to flare up when the weather changes.

[jourdain2]

With my fingers firmly crossed - mine seems to have gone now. It lasted a good 3 - 4 months and flared up a bit the first Winter, but all that was a good 18 months ago. I didn't find anything to ease it, but like an idiot I did not ask a chemist. You have my sympathy - and my assurance that it will stop eventually. As soon as I was 70 this year (literally 70 + 3 days) I went to be vaccinated against the horrible disease.

[Theland]

Thank you all.
I am 69 in January.
Wonder if I could get a jab for it 12 months early.

[jourdain2]

I hope you can. I asked and was refused. You definitely cannot be vaccinated within 6 months. of symptoms disappearing - or so I was told. I spent a year almost running away from sick-looking children.

[Denton]

Got shingles above my eye last November,still struggling with pain.

[Patsy33]

If you can afford it Theland, there are private vaccination clinics around the country. Have a look on line. About a £100, I think it was..

[Patsy33]

Sorry, more money I'm afraid.. £260..

[Theland]

Would have to do a bit of pension saving, or send Mrs T out to work :-)

[Tilly2]

I'm sorry to hear that you are so troubled, Theland.

[ladyalex]

I found that Dermacool 0.5% cream was very soothing when I had pain after shingles last year.

I got it on prescription from my GP but I think it is available over the counter.

All the best, it's awful.

[Theland]

Thank you.

[Bobbisox1]

Had shingles on right collarbone two years ago, still often get the itch and numbness but without the pain, I asked my GP and he said it could be that a couple of nerves hadn’t fully recovered and gave me Aveeno cream which doe the job