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What Does Intense Flank Pain While Recovering From Shingles Indicate?

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Posted on Wed, 8 Feb 2017
Question: Hi. I am 48 yo male diagnosed with shingles. Rashes have started to dissipate. However, I have intense pain in left lower flank, and what appears to be fluid that has caused a large bulge, very visible. I was iagnosed 2 weeks ago.

Question... Should I be concerned about the bulge? Second, when would you expect the intense pain to dissipate? Thanks.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can last a varied length of time

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The large bulge or swelling that you notice is part of the body's inflammatory response to any irritation.

It would resolve with or soon after the lesions.

In terms of the pain, it is hard to say when it would dissipate.

This can vary, some persons have resolution of the pain along with the rash but in others it can persist. This is called post herpetic neuralgia.

This is the presence of pain long after the shingles rash has gone.

In addition to your anti viral and pain medication, additional medication may be needed.
Since shingles pain is due to the effect of the virus on the nerves, medication can be used to decrease nerve related pain

Meds such as gapapentin, tegretol, lyrica, amitriptyline , nortriptyline, duloxetine

These meds were originally classified as anti seizure or anti depressant meds but they have been found to be very useful in treating nerve pain in persons who do NOT have seizures or depression.

Your doctor can consider adding one of these to your regimen temporarily to help with the pain

Some persons only have the pain for a few days after rash, in others it may be a slow resolution but the above meds are usually very helpful.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Does Intense Flank Pain While Recovering From Shingles Indicate?

Brief Answer: can last a varied length of time Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic The large bulge or swelling that you notice is part of the body's inflammatory response to any irritation. It would resolve with or soon after the lesions. In terms of the pain, it is hard to say when it would dissipate. This can vary, some persons have resolution of the pain along with the rash but in others it can persist. This is called post herpetic neuralgia. This is the presence of pain long after the shingles rash has gone. In addition to your anti viral and pain medication, additional medication may be needed. Since shingles pain is due to the effect of the virus on the nerves, medication can be used to decrease nerve related pain Meds such as gapapentin, tegretol, lyrica, amitriptyline , nortriptyline, duloxetine These meds were originally classified as anti seizure or anti depressant meds but they have been found to be very useful in treating nerve pain in persons who do NOT have seizures or depression. Your doctor can consider adding one of these to your regimen temporarily to help with the pain Some persons only have the pain for a few days after rash, in others it may be a slow resolution but the above meds are usually very helpful. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions