A Friend Who Has Shingles Needs Advice:

[notinKansasanymore]

I have a friend in another state who's looking for an effective treatment for the pain of shingles, which evidently lingers even after the sores have healed. Have any of you got leads for effective treatments?

He needs some relief.

Thanks, niKa

[chwester]

check out the amino acid "Lysine" tabs for internal use and cream for external.

[George Aar]

Well, actually the pain STARTS when the blisters go away.

There used to be nothing much you could do (and NO, none of the alternative medicine treatments do much of anything near as I can tell), but there IS a vaccine now for Chicken Pox that I guess is very effective on shingles. It's still a new treatment and may be hard to find, but it IS out there.

I plan on trying it, if my shingles ever flare up again.

They are NO fun...

[bliss]

There is a machine you can rent or get from the hospital supply places.

It is called a "tens unit".

Some insurance will pay for it.

It sends electro currents through your skin to help ease the pain.

Unfortunately there is nothing to get rid of it.

[notinKansasanymore]

Thanks very, very much, folks.

In the interim, I happened across an advertisement for a new drug called "lyrica," which was developed especially for the pain that lingers after shingles sores heal. <www.lyrica.com>. However, there are quite a few health warnings, including that it could hurt a person's kidneys. But if anybody else is reading this thread looking for relief, that might be one option, with a doctor's close supervision.

I have forwarded all of your answers to my friend, and he is grateful for your advice.

Thanks again!

[Tom Strange]

Here's a link to Baar's website. They carry a number of 'natural' products. I don't know if it works but if it gives relief...

[RumRunner]

I had a brief chat with my PCP about singles as well as my mom - who had it once.

Since shingles symptoms vary widley with age/ gender/ etc - the person should absolutely consult with an MD. While rarely complicated or ciritcal it is varied enough that professionsal medical adivce should be consulted.

Best,

R

[prayingfordaylight]

I whole heartedly agree, consult with a M.D. as shingles can be very very dangerous and can totally affect the central nervous system.

Dawn

[doojable]

I have read that taking Niacin helps a lot.