Post-herpetic neuralgia

I contracted shingles in May 2017 and have suffered ever since with post-herpetic neuralgia on my left shoulder blade. The pain is immense and can travel into my armpit. I take Pregabalin (only 225 mg daily) and use 5% lidocaine patches both of which are my saviours! Does anyone else suffer from this and have any helpful tips or advice please? In particular has anyone had a reduction in pain after getting the Shingrix vaccine?

[Tiras]

My mother in law got the shingles on her left temple area, in 2016 she still has issues and it is and has effected her vision in her left eye. She also still has server pain at times on her head and down her neck and shoulder.

I can relate to what you are going through with! Prayers and thoughts for and to you!😊♥️

[Hidden in reply to Tiras]

I have always thought how 'lucky' I was not to experience shingles on my face/head. My heart goes out to your mother-in-law as I can't imagine how painful this must be so MY prayers and thoughts are definitely with her !!! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.

[IChoose]

My mother has had shingles in various places for decades and also has lupus. Stress stress stress is a huge if not the hugest factor in these outbreaks which come on suddenly. She has not yet taken the shingles vaccine. We are hearing of a new shingles vaccine that is supposed to be better but we know of one person getting severe side effects. That's what I'm hearing but don't have first hand knowledge.

[Hidden in reply to IChoose]

The vaccine here in UK apparently only provides 50% protection and lasts only a few years. In the US they are very fortunate in having the new, superior vaccine for Shingles named Shingrix which provides 90% protection ! I have found a private clinic which stocks Shingrix and will be arranging to be vaccinated which consists of 2 injections, 2 months apart. Just interested to know what were the serious side affects you mention?

[Krazykat26]

I had been a fitt-ish person before I got shingles in 2009..no health problems..I got it on middle of my chest..over my left boob..armpit n round my back..spots went down to my left elbow but I had pain shooting down to my left hand. I just got on with it n foolishly didn't go to the doctors. The shingles happened when I was stressed n I then went on a 'journey of stress' after I recovered..now I have lupus..diagnosed with SCLE..from info gathering n with help from lupusuk n this fabulous forum I am now convinced that shingles was the start of it because I often have what my dermy calls lupus activity in the exact same area.

It sound like you've already got good pain relief in place n if u do go for a jab please let us know how u get on with it..I have constant skin issues n I wouldn't want to get a recurrence of shingles for sure!!

All I can really do is pass on a gentle cyber hug 🤗🤗n my very best wishes 💐xx

Love your user name xx

[Hidden in reply to Krazykat26]

My shingles was also brought on my stress (flooded lounge from burst radiator and all the resulting stress of sorting out insurance, new carpets etc etc). God forbid I ever get shingles again but if so I would instantly see dr. for antiviral medication which stops it developing. I most certainly will report how I get on with having the Shingrix vaccination. My user name is the name of a singing group I belong to - the best medicine I know for relieving stress and having fun. Take care.

[Krazykat26 in reply to Hidden]

I totally agree...singing is good for the soul!!! 🎤🎵🎶🎵🎹

[Ianrussell69]

When I was 20 a long time ago when I did not know what lupus or mctd was I got ophthalmic shingles 3 times in one yr and I still get the odd stabbing pain in my eye 30yrs later it’s quite intense I would ask to go to the pain clinic as normal pain killers will not dull the pain as in my case it was nurve pain

[Hidden in reply to Ianrussell69]

Co-incidentally I am going to my 3rd Pain Clinic appointment next week! They've carried out two nerve block injections to relieve my pain but both were unsuccessful, so I continue to take medication which I hate, but 'needs must'. Have tried acupuncture, something called 'deep oscillation' all to no avail. Ophthalmic shingles sounds so painful, must have been awful for you.