Postherpetic neuralgia is pain in the area where a shingles infection once occurred. The pain may last for months or years.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPostherpetic neuralgia occurs when the nerves have been damaged after an outbreak of shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Postherpetic neuralgia is more likely to occur in people over age 60.
SymptomsThe main symptom is pain in the area where shingles once occurred. The pain can range from mild to very severe. It lasts for months, sometimes years, after the original shingles infection.
TreatmentAnticonvulsant drugs, usually used for seizures, may help with the pain of damaged nerves. Gabapentin and pregabalin are the ones most commonly used to treat postherpetic neuralgia.
Skin patches with lidocaine (a numbing medicine) may also be prescribed to relieve some of the pain for a period of time.
Pain medications are often needed. Sometimes acetaminophen or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are enough. Many patients will need stronger, prescription drugs such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone.
Drugs used to treat depression (antidepressants) may also help reduce pain, as well as help with sleep.
Electrical nerve stimulators may be used for severe, long-term cases of postherpetic neuralgia.
Consultation with a pain specialist may be necessary in some cases.
ReferencesSampathkumar P, Drage LA, Martin DP. Herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009 Mar;84(3):274-80. Review.
Postherpetic neuralgia is pain that lasts for more than a month after a shinglesinfection occurred. The pain may last for months or years.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPostherpetic neuralgia occurs when the nerves have been damaged after an outbreak of shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Postherpetic neuralgia is more likely to occur in people over age 60.
SymptomsThe main symptom is pain in the area where shingles once occurred.
The pain lasts for months or sometimes years after the shingles infection.
TreatmentAnticonvulsant drugs, usually used for seizures, may help with the pain of damaged nerves. Gabapentin and pregabalin are the ones most often used to treat postherpetic neuralgia.
Skin patches with lidocaine (a numbing medicine) may also be prescribed to relieve some of the pain for a period of time.
Pain medications are often needed. Sometimes acetaminophen or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are enough. Many patients will need stronger, prescription drugs such as codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone.
Drugs used to treat depression (antidepressants) may also help reduce pain, as well as help with sleep.
Electrical nerve stimulators may be used for severe, long-term cases of postherpetic neuralgia.
Some people may need help from a pain specialist.
PreventionA herpes zoster vaccine is available. It is different from the chickenpox vaccine that children or young adults may receive. Adults over age 50 should get the herpes zoster vaccine as part of their routine medical care.
A single shot of the vaccine can cut the risk of getting shingles by about half. It may also help prevent postherpetic neuralgia and ophthalmic herpes.
Because the vaccine contains a live virus, it cannot be given to people who have a weak immune system.
ReferencesAdvisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Recommended adult immunization schedule: United States, 2011. Ann Intern Med. 2011;154:168-173.
Chen N, Li Q, Zhang Y, Zhou M, Zhou D, He L. Vaccination for preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Mar 16;3:CD007795.
Wilson IF. Herpes zoster. Ann Intern Med. 2011;154:ITC31-15.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/28/2011
Ari S. Eckman, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Some of the common treatments for postherpetic neuralgia are Elavil, Lyrica, Pamelor, Lidodorm, OxyContin, Capsin, MS Contin, Zostrix, Horizant and many more medications.
While only around ten percent of people who have had shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia, it is a very uncomfortable condition. While the duration of postherpetic neuralgia varies, it lasts from one to two months in most patients
gabapentinGabapentin
Postherpetic neuralgia is not something to be frightened about. It is also known as shingles which a lot of people do get. At the first signs of the shingles you should contact your doctor to get treatment. There are medications available that can help this condition. It is not generally life threatening but a nuisance.
Trigeminal neuralgia tends to come and go, but successive attacks may be disabling. Although neuralgia is not fatal, the patient's fear of being in pain can seriously interfere with daily life. Some people with postherpetic neuralgia.
Glossopharyngeal, trigeminal, and postherpetic neuralgias sometimes respond to anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine or phenytoin, or to painkillers, such as acetaminophen. Trigeminal neuralgia may also be relieved by surgery.
If you've had shingles, it could be postherpetic neuralgia.
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The second syllable of neuralgia is accented.
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Neuralgia - 2010 was released on: USA: 1 April 2010
The cast of Neuralgia - 2010 includes: Caridad Ravelo