I'm 'home alone' too, but mine's PLANNED!

If I were with my dtr I would run into my ex again and even tho he is on medication that keeps him from being too obnoxious, it does stir the memory (not what I want to do!).

Wish I could be off meds but c'est la vie. Hoping for better days...

I am sorry you are suffering this at the holidays. Try to stay comfortable, if possible.

dreams of relief from pain!

The great news is that my appetite has come back and I'm eating again...lost 25 lbs. during this saga but I wasn't fat to begin with, and the doc doesn't seem concerned...

Thank you!

Best of luck!

Thanks!

with only just a mild rash and a couple of blisters, so I was very surprised when that turned into post herpetic neuralgia. There was no relief from the constant pain and nothing my MD tried brought me any relief, just the stupor of narcotics which only dulled the senses, but did not actually eliminate the pain.

I read that some patients were getting good results from acupuncture. I didn't really know what to expect after the first session, but I'd say there was a 60% reduction in pain within 24 hours. The acupuncture itself was quite painless and I had a total of 3 treatments that used a mild electrical current attached to the needles. Following that, I have also got the vaccine as well, and have not had another episode for 2 years.

Speaking only of my own experience, I also found some short term relief in using OTC topical ointments containing both camphor and menthol to soothe my sensitive skin. I certainly empathize with you, there is nothing more debilitating and depressing than the raw intensity of that endless, unrelieved pain.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

disappointed. Thanks for your report, tho. I do appreciate it.

so lidocaine is out...jeez, what next???

I do hope you get relief from the change in meds. Yucky way to spend Christmas.

If it can't be merry, I hope at least it isn't miserable.

She was out sick for seven days and then back good as new.

I am not endorsing or denigrating this treatment. I have no other knowledge of it other than the above anecdote.

ever heard a nerve block being done for shingles. And this is his specialty! I don't understand...

ask her when we get back to school.

with painful shingles and eventually meditation eased it a bit. Did not need that many painkillers.

You may want to look into it.

Hoping for the best.

Try blocking the pain with music. With a good pair of earphones and well chosen pieces, you can get some respite, at least for a while.

Music not only has "charms to soothe a savage breast," it can interfere with the brain's perception of pain.

I'm sure many besides me have heard about the vaccine and wondered whether we should get it. My doctor has mentioned it to me a few times but I've never done anything about it.

Hoping for the best for you.

need it. I guess I'll have to rely on my doc's estimation.

The pain subsided remarkably yesterday afternoon. I thought for sure this was it, the end of it, but it is roaring back today...yuck...

I've never had shingles - my doctor had suggested it as a preventive measure but didn't really push it.

it should greatly reduce the severity of an attack.

bad enough we were all afraid it might be the end of her.

At the time people were being told not to get the shot until they turned 60 (I think that's been revised to 50 now) and I did get vaccinated the day before I turned 60. On my birthday Auntie called, not to wish me a happy birthday but to remind me to go get "that shot".

You go get "that shot" too.

I did, several years ago.

Especially after Dad suffered with the illness, I jumped in (as soon as I could.) After hearing all of Yank's misery, there'd be NO DOUBT in my mind.

I'll do this at my next annual physical coming up.