After the shingles, dealing with the nerve pain is the real challenge

Most of us know someone who has had the painful afflication known as shingles-- or herpes zoster virus in the medical world. More than 1 million cases are reported each year in the U.S., mostly in people over the age of 50 or in those with weakened immune systems. A reactivation of the chicken pox virus (varicella)in people who have had that virus in their younger years, Herpes zoster or shingles comes on suddenly as a painful, blistering rash, often after an event that weakens the immune system. Doctors generally prescribe an antiviral medication, such as such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir while the rash is active and for several days after. One of the worst side effects of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia and its associated lingering pain that can adversely affect quality of life. For this neuralgic pain that persists after the rash disappears, doctors have had great success with the anticonsultant Neurontin (gabapentin). Some even recommend a combination of two anticonsultant drugs Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin) both of which are approved for treatment of the condition. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases has more detailed information about the disease. Click here.