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What Causes Severe Left-sided Pain In Head After Treating Shingles On Face?
Question: I just had a bout with shingles and it was in my face left side , it has cleared up now but I am having severe pain in my left side of my head I am sure the nerves have been damaged
Brief Answer:
Postherpetic neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and I am sorry about the pain you are in.
Your assumption that the pain is due to nerve damage by shingles (Herpes Zoster virus) is correct. It is a common complication especially in the elderly, it's called post herpetic neuralgia (just a fancy medical term for basically nerve pain after shingles).
It is true that the nerve healing can take months and in most the pain subsides gradually over the course of this time, very few, 3%, have pain beyond the first year.
However even if the pain is to subside with time there is no reason you shouldn't take treatment to address the pain in the meantime.
There are two main classes of drugs used for the treatment of herpetic neuralgia anticonvulsants like Gabapentin or Pregabalin, or tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline. Considering your age and possible side effects I would try the first class either Gabapentin or Pregabalin first. Talk to your doctor about their prescription.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Postherpetic neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and I am sorry about the pain you are in.
Your assumption that the pain is due to nerve damage by shingles (Herpes Zoster virus) is correct. It is a common complication especially in the elderly, it's called post herpetic neuralgia (just a fancy medical term for basically nerve pain after shingles).
It is true that the nerve healing can take months and in most the pain subsides gradually over the course of this time, very few, 3%, have pain beyond the first year.
However even if the pain is to subside with time there is no reason you shouldn't take treatment to address the pain in the meantime.
There are two main classes of drugs used for the treatment of herpetic neuralgia anticonvulsants like Gabapentin or Pregabalin, or tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline. Considering your age and possible side effects I would try the first class either Gabapentin or Pregabalin first. Talk to your doctor about their prescription.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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