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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Painful Shingles Be Treated?

My 21 year old son has shingles. The rash is from his back all the way around to his stomach. Huge blisters and a lot of pain. Is there any home remedy that can help with the excruciating pain? He has tylenol with codeine, but it doesn t help at all, and he can t sleep.
Sat, 30 Dec 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
I've had shingles so I know how awful it can be. He should also be on an oral antiviral medication such as acyclovir or Valcyclovir at least at the beginning of the outbreak. If he can't sleep even with the Tylenol with codeine, consider talking with his doctor for nerve pain management such as with gabapentin or amitriptyline. The latter is also quite sedating. Usually gabapentin or amitriptyline is used after the rash has gone if there is residual pain.
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How Can Painful Shingles Be Treated?

I ve had shingles so I know how awful it can be. He should also be on an oral antiviral medication such as acyclovir or Valcyclovir at least at the beginning of the outbreak. If he can t sleep even with the Tylenol with codeine, consider talking with his doctor for nerve pain management such as with gabapentin or amitriptyline. The latter is also quite sedating. Usually gabapentin or amitriptyline is used after the rash has gone if there is residual pain.