Shingles - Questions & Answers
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From: Frank Messina

Q : I talked to you a few days ago. I had shingles in the left side of my face including ear and down to shoulder. The rash has gone (it was on my face in front of my ear) but the pain is very very bad. I feel it in and around my ear. Is there something for this horrific pain. I twitch all over when the pain is at its worst. Can you help me. Thank you

Answer : Hello Frank. You haven't said how long it has been since your shingles rash went away. What you describe sounds like Post Herpetic Neuralagia (PHN), which is an after effect of the shingles rash. Sometimes even after the shingles rash disappears, some patients continue to feel pain in the same area for days afterwards. It is a condition that affects one in five shingles patients. The reason for the pain is the damage to the nerves caused by the shingles virus. For most people this pain goes away with time. However for relieving the pain there are several painkillers that can reduce the severity and duration of the pain. These include antidepressants, a topical lidocaine patch and opioids like morphine. All these medicines will be prescribed by your doctor so you should consult a good physician. Wish you all the best. 

Source :  http://www.aftershingles.com/phn.html

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