Pain Concern

[mlp3434]

Hello Again. Has anyone had an epidural steroid injection for shingles pain? I am scheduled for one and I'm scared. I have had trigger point injections in the past, but those go into muscle where this would go to the nerves that shingles infect. This doctor is very good at what she does so I have no problem with her. The shot is a combination of lidocaine and a steroid. The lidocaine will numb for around 6 hours, but the steroid can take a few days to work. My concern is--- after the the numbing wears off, will my shingles pain be worse? I have not slept all night worrying and in pain from these shingles. Can anyone help me with this?

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm afraid that I know little about shingles but what I do know is that a friend wears morphine patches to dull the pain from hers, she's worn them for quite a few years.

Out of interest did you have the shingles jab? I've not had one but keep wondering if I should.

Jean

[Desanthony]

Thankfully not had shingles but have had the shingles vaccination when I was 70. My wife had shingles years ago and was lucky that the treatment given immediately by her GP. only had the rash and initial pain for about 4 days, but had residual pain for many years when she was tired and stressed. This injection should be OK for you but you can refuse it at any time if you want to. It is usual to get worked up about an up coming procedure, operation or injection like this and it is pointless to tell you not to worry and get stressed as you will but this will cause more problems and solve nothing. Anyway try yoga breathing to relax you and some herbal sleeping tablets now and again so that you can get some sleep as going without sleep is going to make everything worse. I have had this injection for chronic back pain and it worked brilliantly for me. If you go ahead with this then I do hope it works for you. Try and have a chat with your Docs nurse about this if you can.