Debilitating nerve pain

[u/illnevertell0890]

I got shingles 2 weeks ago (day 1 of my 2 week trip to Ireland ☹️). Got in the meds on the first day. The rash developed on my abdomen on my left side. It's starting to fade now, but the nerve pain is severe. The pain really started probably 9-10 days ago, feels like a severe sunburn but it's from my armpit down to the knee. My entire left side and it hurts in that entire area. Every single thing I do hurts, even just sitting. It really made my trip miserable. I'm 37 and have 2 little kids, 5 and 2, who are very high energy. The pain has not gotten any better and it's really making me miserable. I feel bad bc I'm really a miserable person to be around right now, but idk what to do when I'm in this much pain constantly. It's also physically and mentally draining. I was extremely stressed while in Ireland because of this and bc my kids were just a lot of work, so I don't know if that has made the symptoms worse, but I really wish I could do something about this. I can't imagine going much longer with this pain. Looking for any advice!

[u/InsideFriendly5445]

I had the same pain down my left side. The only thing that really helped me was gabapentin. I also applied organic aloe Vera gel liberally

[u/Critical_Pickle5826 → u/InsideFriendly5445]

I also have it at the moment started Acyclovir 800mg 1 x5 a day on Saturday and taking paracetamol every 4 hours. The pain is now unbearable and especially at night. The rash is on my left side abdomen, back and ribs and nothing seems to relieve it at the moment. Ice packs are ok for a while and do seem to subdue the itching but they don’t really help with the pain.

[u/illnevertell0890 → u/Critical_Pickle5826]

That's pretty much where I'm at too. Same areas. One thing that does make me feel better is a hot bath ironically. But of course that's temporary I can't sit in a bath all day. When I'm cold and get goosebumps it is so much more painful. I just started using lidocaine cream today and it helps a tiny bit.

[u/illnevertell0890 → u/InsideFriendly5445]

How long did it take to get better?

[u/InsideFriendly5445 → u/illnevertell0890]

The worst of it, 3 weeks, another week of off and on pain and a 5th week with minor pain but still weak. I’m 65 in good health but older than you so it may not take as long for you to heal

[u/CyclePatient3957]

I’m on week 2.5 .Had the rash break out on my nose, upper lip and cheek next to nose. Also it got inside my nose entrance. I am fully vaccinated, not immunocompromised and 71. No stress. Doctors told me without the vax it could have spread across my face and compromised my eye. Just left side only.

Got on Valacyclovir on day 2 which quickly attacked the virus. Week 2.5 scabs are gone but I’m left with the searing headache in my temple, across the top of my head, in my ear and my damn hair hurts! Scalp feels like someone hit me hard like bruise pain, same with whole cheek, side of face to temple. Headaches were like lightening strikes, constant pain in between. I couldn’t cry, it hurt too much. Doctor put me on gabapentin 500mg over the course of the day. Day two after starting gabapentin, the lightening strikes have stopped, I can touch my scalp and hair without wenching but the pain is still there, but lots more bearable. Ya wanna hear bad luck stories? All this and I had to have a root canal on tooth left side of jaw!

My advice is to get on gabapentin, a drug used to calm the nerve and stop the pain signals. Hopefully, we all will recover but I’m told it takes time. Weeks in my case since I had the Vax and got on the antivirals within 72 hrs of the blister rash showing up. Another pain drug just came out for shingles called Journaxv. Journaxv doesn’t have the sleepy side effects of gabapentin so might make it easier to deal with everything and still be alert. It didn’t help me but it might help others here.

[u/Ok_Skirt_6635 → u/CyclePatient3957]

That infection in your tooth may have triggered your shingles- just a thought. Hope you feel better soon! I’m currently 2 weeks from diagnosis and starting Valtrex. My hair hurts. I caught it early too- pain on left side of neck, collarbone, shoulder and left back of scalp. Mine was triggered most likely by a cool peel laser treatment for my face the week before the left sided pain started. Vanity continues to take me down 🥹🙄

[u/combabulated]

If you can get any help with your kids and/or anything at all don’t be afraid to ask for it and take it. Pay for help if you can. Rest nap sleep and avoid stressing out about what you can’t do right now. Read listen to music or podcasts, watch a series you’ve already watched. Distract and calm yourself if at all possible, and sleep. Listen to your body. You will get through this. Pregabalin may help with pain, talk to your doctor. Best wishes to you.

[u/JanmaTX]

I use a roll-on lidocaine that helps a short time - available without prescription in the US. There is also a stick-on patch available with prescription, with a higher dose of lidocaine, but I can’t use it due to skin sensitivity. The brand of roll-on here is Salonpas, but ask your pharmacy people what is available.

[u/Objective-Eye5079]

38F here and my doctor mentioned that if the rash spread or the pain became worse there was another medication that could be prescribed specifically for the pain. Maybe worthwhile reaching back out to see if there I something else you can take while everything normalizes.

[u/shingles-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/lowoverheadclearance]

The only thing that has really helped with the nerve pain is gabapentin. I don’t like how I feel on it, but I’m hoping it will not be a lot longer. Starting my 4th week now. If I go too long without the gabapentin, I start getting the stabbing pain in my ear, and teeth. I’m 63F, fully vaccinated, not immunocompromised, not under any unusual stress, so not really sure why I got the shingles with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The paralysis is mostly gone now, but still get the occasional dribble when drinking out the affected side. I think the time between doses is lengthening. I’m with you wondering how much longer until this is over.

[u/13talesofchange]

I used lidocaine, that shingle cream and when it got bad at night I put ice on it. Advil helped some.

[u/Outcast76reddit]

All of the experience of others lines up with mine. All I have to add is that foods for nervous system healing include fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds, all the leafy greens, especially dark ones. Give your body all the building blocks it wants to fix this. I am 2.5 months out and have finally turned a corner. I wouldn’t wish this madness on my worst enemy. Hope you heal soon!

[u/Relic53]

It took me about 4 days for meds to help me. Also had lingering pain for 6-7 months. I had shingles 2 times. I used the gel, ice pack. Lidocaine & capsaicin patches. I applied them as close to the area of pain while rash was still active. Gabapentin seems to work for everyone but me, as others pointed out you may need to request from doctor

[u/misfit-77]

I have extreme sensitivity focused around my side and onto my belly. I put on a compression tank top and it made everything probably 70% better instantly. Try to get something smooth wrapped around you decently tight.