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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In The Lower Back And Waist Area Long After Treating Shingles?

I am 69 yrs old and about a month ago I started hurting alone my lower back and around my waist. I had a shingles vacc. about 3 years ago and thought I was protected but have since been told I could still get the Virus. There are no lesions or rash but the pain is getting unbearable at times. could this be shingles or what? Went to the doctor twice and they have no idea. Thanks, Kathy Adamson You
Mon, 26 Mar 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Suggestive of post herpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles due to reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that inflames the sensory nerves, resulting in pain. It affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash & blisters of shingles disappear.

The pain is generally limited to the area of your skin where the shingles outbreak first occurred, most commonly in a band around your trunk, usually on one side of your body. For most people, it improves over time.

You need to consult a physician for proper evaluation and treatment which may involve the use of certain anti-convulsant medications such as Gabapentin or Pregabalin. These medications stabilize abnormal electrical activity in your nervous system caused by injured nerves.

Certain antidepressants such as Amitriptyline or Duloxetine are also found to be effective in reducing the pain.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
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What Causes Pain In The Lower Back And Waist Area Long After Treating Shingles?

Hello, Suggestive of post herpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles due to reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that inflames the sensory nerves, resulting in pain. It affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash & blisters of shingles disappear. The pain is generally limited to the area of your skin where the shingles outbreak first occurred, most commonly in a band around your trunk, usually on one side of your body. For most people, it improves over time. You need to consult a physician for proper evaluation and treatment which may involve the use of certain anti-convulsant medications such as Gabapentin or Pregabalin. These medications stabilize abnormal electrical activity in your nervous system caused by injured nerves. Certain antidepressants such as Amitriptyline or Duloxetine are also found to be effective in reducing the pain. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali