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Suggest Treatment For The Pain Associated With Post-herpetic Neuralgia

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Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2015
Question: 60 year old female in good health except for allergies . Just had annual physical and complete blood work end if March and everything was great . About 3 weeks ago started having some dull headaches in forehead like sinus related and experiencing lots of stress and tension so having tightness in neck and shoulders with headache on top and sometimes in back with tight band feeling . Sone eye pain and pressure . Mostly tight with dull ache on top of head . Have taken Aleve and ibuprofen with some relief . No other symptoms at all . Had shingles years ago on back right side of head and sometimes have pain there . Doc said it was post neuralgic pain . Could this be causing the headaches since they started after lots of stress ?

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Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Remedies for migraines and stress headaches.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.
Thanks for writing.

I am Dr. Saddiq-ul-Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

First of all, it is so sad to hear about the post-herpatic neuralgia and kind of pains you had ti bear due to that, but based on the current description of symptoms which you have nicely put together, its seems that you have been suffering from the attacks of migraine and trigger being the anxiety and stress.

The likelihood of sinus infections is less likely as, head ache which your are experiencing, is mostly in the back portion of headache, and radiates to the shoulder which is very much typical of stress headaches, and no bony sinuses are present in this area. Also there is a lack of history of any preceding respiratory tract infection.

The possibility of post neuralgic pain is however quite possible, but since your current symptoms are bilateral, with tight band feeling and pressure behind eyes, it is against a typical post neuralgic pain which is excruciating and sharp normally, and not dull in character, as is, in your case.

Migraine treatment (abortive therapies) and prevention (prophylactic therapies) focus on avoiding triggers, controlling symptoms and taking medicines. Medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (paracetamol), and other analgesics like Excedrin (aspirin with caffeine) are often the first abortive therapies to eliminate the headache or substantially reduce pain.

here are several categories of preventive migraine medicine, ranging from diet changes and exercise to prescription drugs. Some of these include beta blockers, anticonvulsants and antidepressants which are only prescribed in recurrent persistent attacks triggered by headaches and you can discuss that with your GP.

I would personally suggest you to try other supportive measures and adopt some healthy life style modifications such as getting enough sleep, reducing stress, drinking plenty of water, avoiding certain greasy heavy foods and making habit of regular physical exercise. Also that any distracting activities and increasing social outfits and gatherings would decrease stress factors. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate before closing the discussion.


Regrads.

Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin
M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)
Resident Medicine.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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Answered by
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Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3941 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For The Pain Associated With Post-herpetic Neuralgia

Brief Answer: Remedies for migraines and stress headaches. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic. Thanks for writing. I am Dr. Saddiq-ul-Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is so sad to hear about the post-herpatic neuralgia and kind of pains you had ti bear due to that, but based on the current description of symptoms which you have nicely put together, its seems that you have been suffering from the attacks of migraine and trigger being the anxiety and stress. The likelihood of sinus infections is less likely as, head ache which your are experiencing, is mostly in the back portion of headache, and radiates to the shoulder which is very much typical of stress headaches, and no bony sinuses are present in this area. Also there is a lack of history of any preceding respiratory tract infection. The possibility of post neuralgic pain is however quite possible, but since your current symptoms are bilateral, with tight band feeling and pressure behind eyes, it is against a typical post neuralgic pain which is excruciating and sharp normally, and not dull in character, as is, in your case. Migraine treatment (abortive therapies) and prevention (prophylactic therapies) focus on avoiding triggers, controlling symptoms and taking medicines. Medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (paracetamol), and other analgesics like Excedrin (aspirin with caffeine) are often the first abortive therapies to eliminate the headache or substantially reduce pain. here are several categories of preventive migraine medicine, ranging from diet changes and exercise to prescription drugs. Some of these include beta blockers, anticonvulsants and antidepressants which are only prescribed in recurrent persistent attacks triggered by headaches and you can discuss that with your GP. I would personally suggest you to try other supportive measures and adopt some healthy life style modifications such as getting enough sleep, reducing stress, drinking plenty of water, avoiding certain greasy heavy foods and making habit of regular physical exercise. Also that any distracting activities and increasing social outfits and gatherings would decrease stress factors. Wishing you a speedy recovery. I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate before closing the discussion. Regrads. Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician) Resident Medicine.