Hi,

Here is more about the electronic device for Herpes, cold sores, & warts.
The device is called the DermaSeptic.  It delivers ionic silver deep into the
skin where the infection is.  Ionic silver is an effective natural
anti-microbial agent.  The DermaSeptic drives the silver ions into the skin
electrically to reach the infection so it can usually stop a sore BEFORE it
breaks out through the skin.  It works great on all kinds of skin sores and
infections.  I don't know how it would work for shingles on a larger area.
It only has a small electrode for pimples and sores.  Check it out at
www.klearsen.com or you can call 1-888-303-3388

Wendy:  Thanks so much for the site.  It seems very helpful.  It is so hard
to know what is normal.

Evelyn

New iontophoretic device relieves Herpes cold sores, fever blisters, pimples
and even warts.  Try it at http://www.klearsen.com or call toll free
1-888-303-3388.  This is a truely remarkable device that works wonders!

Evelyn,

Sorry to hear of your outbreak.  I'm 39 years old and have had shingles
since I was 16.  I know how devastating it can be. You can find lots of
information on shingles at this site:

www.onhealth.com

in the search window, enter "shingles".

This list isn't terribly active, but please know that if you have an
outbreak and/or just need to "vent", I will respond to your post.

Best Wishes & Blessings,

Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship
Shelties Herd Your Heart

I was very happy to see that there was a list  concerning Shingles.

I have had shingles for about 3 weeks now but I don't know that much about
it.

I started with a back ache.  I blamed the back ache because I drove my
daughters old van to town on Thursday. The back ache never went away.  I put
heat lineament on it and a heating pad  on Friday and by the evening I
noticed a rash .  Thought to myself I must have burnt it with the lineament
and the heating pad. Nothing seem to change anymore until Sunday and I
noticed the rash was all the way around to the front.  I went to have a bath
and notices a lump the size of my fist on the same side as  the rash.  I got
nervous and went into town to the emergency.  Had to see the doctor on call
and of course he didn't diagnose the problem.  got in to see my doctor on
the Tuesday and  of course it was too late to take the pills that does do
any good.  So here I am now  suffering with this.  My doctor gave me some
morphine tablets which did help but her wanted me to try to go back on the
Tylenol three that I take with my arthritis.  Sure is funny how people just
can't seem to understand what you are going through.
I am 54 years old and have ostio (sp) and rheumatoid arthritis.  I have had
a total knee replacement last October.  Was just starting to live a normal
life again when this all started.

Sure hope things quiet down soon so I can go and enjoy the summer.  Our
winters are so long.

Evelyn

How is everyone?  Haven't heard from you in awhile....I'm doing OK.  No
pain, but do have a small cluster of blisters near the primary outbreak
site.  (I did end the relationship!  This is a good thing!)  I would
rather deal with the blisters than a pain attack.  Hope you all are
doing well and looking forward to a great holiday weekend.

Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship

Thanks Barb......all of us really need another chance to live without pain
and REALLY REALLY    appreciate how wonderful it is because it seems we
always take most things for granted, especially health (until we lose it)..I
guess that just makes us humans and I'm sure you feel the same.  Hope you're
feeling good today!!!!  Here's a good thought.....they could come up with
something for all we SHINGLERS in the near future!!  Wouldn't that be
wonderful..   They finally managed to get the Chicken Pox vaccine which will
hopefully protect the future generations from having shingles....Well, have
a good evening......Terry
-----Original Message-----
From: BHboogie@... <BHboogie@...>
To: Shingles-PHN@onelist.com <Shingles-PHN@onelist.com>
Date: Monday, May 17, 1999 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Shingles-PHN] Active List?


>From: BHboogie@...
>
>Terry - in terms of being tired:  It takes energy to deal with pain.  Your
>body is on higher alert, if you will, and your mind can be totally absorbed
>with wanting the pain to stop.  So fatigue and chronic pain are good
friends,
>it seems.  Plus, of course, meds. have some effect too.  But I notice that
>WHEN my pain is under control, I have alot more energy than on days when
the
>pain just seems to drag me down.
>
>Hang in!
>
>Barb
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Where do some of the Internet's largest email lists reside?
>http://www.onelist.com
>At ONElist - the most scalable and reliable service on the Internet.
>

Yes Mom (Wendy).....thank you......I did go to the doc today and will be
having another blood test for my thyroid and when we determine that is
getting under control, he'll work on the shingle pain.....so hopefully
something good will come soon.  So glad to hear you feel better and hope
that maybe you'll be blessed and the blankity blankity pain will leave you
forever!!!!!    Take care....Terry
-----Original Message-----
From: Wendy Wilkerson <gwynmere@...>
To: Shingles-PHN@onelist.com <Shingles-PHN@onelist.com>
Date: Monday, May 17, 1999 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Shingles-PHN] Active List?


From: gwynmere@... (Wendy Wilkerson)

Terry & Barb,
Bless both of you for keeping this going...even if it's once a week,
just to say"hi, I'm feeling good, how are you?", this is great! :)
Terry, I'll do role reversal and play the "Mom": 'Have you called your
doctor yet?'  LOLOLOL  Hope you both had a good day. Some pain in one
leg today....and that tingling, itchy scratchy oh-my-god go away!
feeling at the base of my spine (where the initial outbreak
occurred)....but then! I got great news, and poof!  I feel much better
:)  Hope to hear from you...

Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship


------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONElist members are using Shared Files in great ways!
http://www.onelist.com
Are you?  If not, see our homepage for details.

Terry & Barb,
Bless both of you for keeping this going...even if it's once a week,
just to say"hi, I'm feeling good, how are you?", this is great! :)
Terry, I'll do role reversal and play the "Mom": 'Have you called your
doctor yet?'  LOLOLOL  Hope you both had a good day. Some pain in one
leg today....and that tingling, itchy scratchy oh-my-god go away!
feeling at the base of my spine (where the initial outbreak
occurred)....but then! I got great news, and poof!  I feel much better
:)  Hope to hear from you...

Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship

Terry - in terms of being tired:  It takes energy to deal with pain.  Your
body is on higher alert, if you will, and your mind can be totally absorbed
with wanting the pain to stop.  So fatigue and chronic pain are good friends,
it seems.  Plus, of course, meds. have some effect too.  But I notice that
WHEN my pain is under control, I have alot more energy than on days when the
pain just seems to drag me down.

Hang in!

Barb

Yes.....Thank you Barb and Wendy for both responding to me.   My doctor
mentioned the nerve blocking procedure if the pain hasn't gone away within 3
or 4 weeks.  I have a fairly consistent pain in the left shoulder area both
front and back, plus the under arm area where the shingles were (and my arm
is usually cold).  I seem to experience tiredness too, even tho I get plenty
of sleep, but I guess the "Lortab" pills could be causing some of that.   I
also was diagnossed with Hyperthroidism 6 years ago, went to an
Endocronologist (specialist in thyroid diseases) and finally took the
radiation idione treatment after a year and seemed to be back to normal
again after about 2 months.  But then I was supposed to keep up blood tests
every 3 to 6 months to check for Hypothroidism and I didn't  (which I
regret).  Anyway, my doctor ordered blood panels and said everything was ok
except the thyroid, which was really "whackkie" is the word he used.  I am
taking Synthroid again and hopefully that will get me back on track (it
could have been my stupidity for not taking it that caused my system to get
weakened, allowing the virus to emerge).    Who ever knew there were so
terribly many things that can happen to our bodies.   I'm going to take your
letter to my doc. Barb, and see what he thinks about the meds you are taking
and if he would prescribe them for me and also if I get any nerve block
treatments.

Thanks to you both again......Terry
----Original Message-----
From: BHboogie@... <BHboogie@...>
To: Shingles-PHN@onelist.com <Shingles-PHN@onelist.com>
Date: Sunday, May 16, 1999 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Shingles-PHN] Active List?


>From: BHboogie@...
>
>II'm glad someone got active on this list!!!
>
>I have suffered from post herpetic neuralgia for 3+ years.  I had an attack
>of shingles in November '95, which was one year after having a bone marrow
>transplant for bone marrow cancer (multiple myeloma).  When the pain
lingers
>after the rash has gone, it is time to get serious about the long-term
>consequences.  Shingles is bad enough, but if it destroys nerves (as it did
>to me), then chronic pain can develop and the condition is known as
>post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)
>
>I have been seeing a pain management specialist for 3 years, and have tried
a
>variety of things; none permanently successful.  The best combination of
>meds. for me is neurontin and mexilitine (anti-seizure/anti-arythmia meds),
>xanax and soma (tranquilizer & muscle relaxants).  I've had several series
of
>epidural blocks, and until my last flare-up in January, they have also
>helped.  While thankfully I have never experienced the kind of pain Wendy
>describes, the pain is indeed all-encompassing.  At times, it has inflamed
my
>left arm to the point where it is painful to move it.  While I may go
through
>periods of time relatively "normal," at any moment the pain can get nasty.
>This is a tough way to live.  I am finally tired of fighting the pain while
>trying to work full time and am going to retire on disability since my
>employer really can no longer depend on me to put in a day's work.
>
>Terry - PLEASE - if the pain continues much longer, don't be stoic.  The
>sooner PHN can be treated, the easier it is to get under control.
>Interestingly, regarding taking narcotics, my pain doc. says that such
drugs
>are not terribly effective in treating PHN.  The other meds, while having
>side effects, are not addictive in the sense we often think of narcotics
>being.  However, when prescribed and used strictly for pain control,
>narcotics are helpful in many other situations.
>
>And Wendy, I cannot imagine what you have been through since you were just
>16.  No one who hasn't been through the devastation of chronic pain can
>really understand the depression and anger that goes along with having your
>life dictated by impulses you can't control that HURT.  I hope you have
>people in your life to support you, especially with a relationship now
ending.
>
>Sorry to get to know both of you under these circumstances, but that's what
>on-line support groups are for.
>
>Take care,
>
>Barb in Maryland
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>ONElist:  where real people with real interests get connected.
>http://www.onelist.com
>Join a new list today!
>

Barb,
Thank you SO much for responding! Please, I know that there are at least
10 people subscribed to this list.......Would all of you just sign in?
And let those of us who are new to the list know that we're not alone in
this?  That's one of the hardest issues to deal with when the pain
flares up....I told my Mother, "no one understands...if they could see
some vicious wound, it would be different".
I'd like to talk to all of you....please, let's hear from you?
Thanks,
Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship

II'm glad someone got active on this list!!!

I have suffered from post herpetic neuralgia for 3+ years.  I had an attack
of shingles in November '95, which was one year after having a bone marrow
transplant for bone marrow cancer (multiple myeloma).  When the pain lingers
after the rash has gone, it is time to get serious about the long-term
consequences.  Shingles is bad enough, but if it destroys nerves (as it did
to me), then chronic pain can develop and the condition is known as
post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)

I have been seeing a pain management specialist for 3 years, and have tried a
variety of things; none permanently successful.  The best combination of
meds. for me is neurontin and mexilitine (anti-seizure/anti-arythmia meds),
xanax and soma (tranquilizer & muscle relaxants).  I've had several series of
epidural blocks, and until my last flare-up in January, they have also
helped.  While thankfully I have never experienced the kind of pain Wendy
describes, the pain is indeed all-encompassing.  At times, it has inflamed my
left arm to the point where it is painful to move it.  While I may go through
periods of time relatively "normal," at any moment the pain can get nasty.
This is a tough way to live.  I am finally tired of fighting the pain while
trying to work full time and am going to retire on disability since my
employer really can no longer depend on me to put in a day's work.

Terry - PLEASE - if the pain continues much longer, don't be stoic.  The
sooner PHN can be treated, the easier it is to get under control.
Interestingly, regarding taking narcotics, my pain doc. says that such drugs
are not terribly effective in treating PHN.  The other meds, while having
side effects, are not addictive in the sense we often think of narcotics
being.  However, when prescribed and used strictly for pain control,
narcotics are helpful in many other situations.

And Wendy, I cannot imagine what you have been through since you were just
16.  No one who hasn't been through the devastation of chronic pain can
really understand the depression and anger that goes along with having your
life dictated by impulses you can't control that HURT.  I hope you have
people in your life to support you, especially with a relationship now ending.

Sorry to get to know both of you under these circumstances, but that's what
on-line support groups are for.

Take care,

Barb in Maryland

Terry,
Thanks for the kind words....today is a good day...no pain!  LOL

I didn't have Chicken Pox when I was a small child, and the closest we
can come to figuring it out is that I was exposed to a child that had it
and somehow it developed into Shingles.  I'm one of the unfortunate few
that have it located trigeminally so that the pain occurs on both sides
of my body, in any location.  Did you know that it can even occur in
your eyes?  Saddening, isn't it?  And there is no cure.....

Go to this site, Terry and you'll find about 85 articles on shingles &
PHN.  At the top of the page in the search box, enter "shingles". Let me
know what you think.
Good Luck!

www.onhealth.com

Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship

Hi Wendy...........actually I have very little knowledge about shingles
except what I have experienced so far.  I am not taking anything except a
pain pill called Lortab and I usually only take it at night before I go to
bed.   I guess mine started with pain in my shoulder (but I just dismissed
anything except that I had probably over-used it) and then a few days later
got the blisters, they broke, scabbed and more or less went away, except I
can easily still see them because of the skin discoloration that is still
there.  Oddly enough a relative called a week or so prior to my getting the
shingles and said her husband had shingles.  I asked her what that was and
she briefly told me and he was taking Virodex I think.  Anyway, after the
blisters started, I checked in our medical book and determined that that's
what I had and the book said that it was too late to start taking Virodex.
It said you have to take it prior to the blisters to be effective.  I got
the shingles in mid January of this year and it took approx. 8 weeks for the
above to occur.  I still have the pain.  Your experience sounds terrible to
say the least.  I didn't know it stayed with you.  I thought that once you
got shingles and got over it that you didn't get it again.  At least that's
what my doctor said (in most cases).    What have your doctors told you over
the years and why do they think you got the shingles so young?  What have
they found out about shingles since you first had it?  I'm so sorry you have
it because, yes, it's hard for others to understand what they haven't
experienced.   Well, I don't know what else to ask until I hear back from
you and then I can maybe add more or ask better questions or give better
answers.  Talk to you again soon.  Terry
-----Original Message-----
From: Wendy Wilkerson <gwynmere@...>
To: Shingles-PHN@onelist.com <Shingles-PHN@onelist.com>
Date: Sunday, May 16, 1999 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Shingles-PHN] Active List?


From: gwynmere@... (Wendy Wilkerson)

Terry,
THANK YOU for responding!  I signed onto this list almost a month ago,
and haven't had one mailing since then.
I was really hoping that this list was more active.  It would be so nice
to just be able to talk to someone about this pain.

I'm 39 yrs. old (female) and have had shingles since I was 16 yrs. old!
About 6 years ago the neuralgia started.  People who have never
experienced this have absolutely no idea what pain is.  If there is
anything positive to be said about this, it's that my tolerance for
other types of pain is def. higher than it was since I had the first
attack of neuralgia.  The first episode was in my leg (thigh area).  I
couldn't walk, I couldn't move....It was the most awful experience of my
life.  The pain was so intense I would SCREAM when my leg was moved or
even touched.  I couldn't even sleep for 3 days....I can def. understand
why some people become suicidal during these episodes.  STRESS is a
major factor in my outbreaks.  I've been taking 1000mg of Vit C twice a
day for about a month now, and that seems to help.  You might want to
try that.  I'm in the process of ending a 6 year relationship with a
boyfriend....(hmmmm....first episode 6 yrs. ago....been  in this
relationship 6 yrs.....I made the connection a long time ago....long
story!)
I did try the anti-depressants (they just didn't work) and I'm not
willing to try the narc. route due to the fact that I have to work full
time....Are you taking Zovirax or anything like that?

Terry, please feel free to post ANY time!
I know from experience that sometimes it just helps to have someone to
talk to that can understand....Stay in touch...
Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship


------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Final Countdown is here!
http://www.ONElist.com
Join the "Star Wars" craze at ONElist.

Terry,
THANK YOU for responding!  I signed onto this list almost a month ago,
and haven't had one mailing since then.
I was really hoping that this list was more active.  It would be so nice
to just be able to talk to someone about this pain.

I'm 39 yrs. old (female) and have had shingles since I was 16 yrs. old!
About 6 years ago the neuralgia started.  People who have never
experienced this have absolutely no idea what pain is.  If there is
anything positive to be said about this, it's that my tolerance for
other types of pain is def. higher than it was since I had the first
attack of neuralgia.  The first episode was in my leg (thigh area).  I
couldn't walk, I couldn't move....It was the most awful experience of my
life.  The pain was so intense I would SCREAM when my leg was moved or
even touched.  I couldn't even sleep for 3 days....I can def. understand
why some people become suicidal during these episodes.  STRESS is a
major factor in my outbreaks.  I've been taking 1000mg of Vit C twice a
day for about a month now, and that seems to help.  You might want to
try that.  I'm in the process of ending a 6 year relationship with a
boyfriend....(hmmmm....first episode 6 yrs. ago....been  in this
relationship 6 yrs.....I made the connection a long time ago....long
story!)
I did try the anti-depressants (they just didn't work) and I'm not
willing to try the narc. route due to the fact that I have to work full
time....Are you taking Zovirax or anything like that?

Terry, please feel free to post ANY time!
I know from experience that sometimes it just helps to have someone to
talk to that can understand....Stay in touch...
Wendy

Celebrating Canine Kinship

i don't know... i'm new... havn't heard much..  I'm Terry (female) 58
years... got shingles 2 months ago..
terrible rash has gone away but still real sore.. almost miserable.. how
about you?
-----Original Message-----
From: gwynmere@... <gwynmere@...>
To: Shingles-PHN@onelist.com <Shingles-PHN@onelist.com>
Date: Sunday, May 16, 1999 8:32 AM
Subject: [Shingles-PHN] Active List?


>From: gwynmere@...
>
>Is this list still active?
>I have not received any mail from this list.  Please advise.  Thank you.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>ONElist members are using Shared Files in great ways!
>http://www.onelist.com
>Are you?  If not, see our homepage for details.
>

Is this list still active?
I have not received any mail from this list.  Please advise.  Thank you.

Hello!  Is anyone out there?

Celebrating Canine Kinship

Dear List Members---

     I have received several requests for references to good websites
regarding shingles and/or post-herpetic neuralgia.  To better respond to
these requests, I would like to put together a list of websites and
other resources about shingles-PHN that list members have found
informative and useful.  Once I get a list of resources put together, I
will add it to the "welcome" message everyone receives when they join
our list.  I will also make it available to others who e-mail me for
information on these illnesses.

     If you know of any good shingles-PHN websites or other resources,
would you please post them to the list or e-mail them to me.

     Thanks in advance for your responses.  I hope you are all feeling
well and not battling too much pain.

Health and peace to you all,

Kitty

Hi everybody--

    Now that the holidays are over and 1999 is here, I wanted to write
and let you know that our little list has grown. We now have seven
members!!!!!  I know that doesn't sound like much, but I bet we can
really get some good discussions and information flowing back and forth
if we all jump in.

    I also expect that our little list will continue to grow.  I recently
received an e-mail from the American Self-Help Clearinghouse.  They said
that they have a lot of requests for a list like ours dealing with
shingles and PHN.  They asked if they could refer people to our list and
I gave them my permission.

    So now I am quite hopeful that this list will become a warm and
supportive place for people suffering from shingles and PHN.  Let's try
to make it so by jumping in and starting a good discussion going.

    I'll start it off by telling a little about my own situation.  I had
the chicken pox as an adult about seven years ago.  I was completely
covered with pox and the virus disseminated to my liver.  So I was a
very sick woman.  I never realized until then how serious an illness
chicken pox can be---especially for adults.

    For the past six years I have suffered from recurring shingles
attacks.  My doctors have told me that I have a specific immune system
defect that makes it impossible for me to fight off the shingles virus.
In between outbreaks, I suffer from severe post-herpetic neuralgia.

     Because of my illness I have tried to find out all I can about
shingles and PHN.  I have done a lot of research on the internet and
off, but I could never find a support group for sufferers of this
illness.

     So one night when I was feeling really bad, I decided to start this
one.  I really would like to share any info or support I can with you.
And I would really like this list to grow into a group that can offer
help and support to others who find us.

     Won't you please jump in and introduce yourselves?  I'm really
hoping we get many more members soon, and I would like to have a
cohesive, supportive group ready to greet and help them.

Peace and healing to you,

Kitty

Kitty - I am so frustrated to hear that your pain goes on and on.  I know how
dreadful it can be.  I am STILL enjoying minimal pain (some discomfort late in
the day, but no complaints here).

You asked what I think finally helped.  Two epidural blocks and an increase in
neurontin seemed to do the trick.  I was also on soma (a muscle relaxant),
elavil, xanax (a tranquilizer), and mexilitine (an anti-heart arrythmia drug).
Except for feeling kinda "fuzzy" during the day, I did okay.  Now i've cut
back on the neurontin, the mexilitine and the elavil and am slowly tapering
off the soma.  Will probably stay on one dose of the xanax, and of course
lower doses of the neurontin.  It has been a struggle, but worth it now.

If you are not on some of the drugs I mentioned, you might want to ask your
pain doctor about them.

Good luck, and keep me updated.

Barb

Hello Listmembers,

    First, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  We are digging into
leftovers at our house.  No more cooking until they're gone!

    Barb, I was so pleased to read that you are having very low pain
levels lately.  To what do you attribute the improvement---the recent
changes in your medication dosages or the injections or something else?
I think one of the ways we can help one another on the list is to share
what works and what doesn't.  Even though we are all different and have
different reactions to various treatments, the more we can learn the
better.

    As for myself, I am going through a very bad flare-up period right
now.  It is so frustrating this time of year not to be able to do the
things I would like.

    I have been having repeated shingles outbreaks with severe pain
during outbreaks and severe post-herpetic neuralgia in between outbreaks
since 1992.  My immune system is just not able to fight off the shingles
virus.  Of course, the more outbreaks I have the more damage the nerves
suffer and the more PHN I am left with.  It seems like a losing battle,
but I try to remain optimistic that someday it will end.  Until then, I
try to learn as much as I can about this illness, and try to concentrate
on keeping myself as healthy as possible.

    Needless to say, with my medical history, I have a lot of experience
dealing with shingles and PHN.  That's why I wanted to get a list
together where we could share some of these experiences and support one
another.

    Finally, I want to welcome our new members.  I am thrilled to say
that a couple more have subscribed.  We are glad to have you.  We are
new and still very small in size, but we hope to be a place of support
and help and we hope to grow in size, too.

    Please feel free to jump in and get a discussion going.  Just tell us
a little about yourself or your experience with shingles or
post-herpetic neuralgia.  Or maybe you have a question or idea you'd
like the group to discuss.  Or maybe you just want to say "hi" for now.

    I hope this note makes sense.  I'm in a lot of pain right now so I'm
not entirely sure that it isn't all just babble.  If so, please forgive
me.

Health and Peace to you,

Kitty

Hi, Kitty...and anyone else on this list!

I am finally having some long-term relief from my PHN pain.  It's not totally
gone, but is at a very low level that barely bothers me except sometimes in
the evening.  So I am SO thankful for that...and my wonderful kids, both home
for the holiday.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Take Care,

Barb

Dear Listmembers---

     I just wanted to send a short note to wish you all a Happy, Healthy
and especially a Pain-Free Thanksgiving.


Health and Peace to you,

Kitty

Kitty - I have had good results from neurontin.  In conjunction with epidural
blocks, it was the first drug that seemed to make a difference in the pain.
However, I was at a low dose (don't remember the exact rx) that did make me
drowsy.  Also contributed to weight gain, but most meds seem to do that.

It did not, however, keep flare-ups from happening.  About 1 1/2 years ago,
mexilitine was added (it's a drug used for arrythmia).  Again, I would have
some relief, but not for long.  It was just a cycle that I know you
understand.

After my last serious flare-up (August), I did the blocks and increased
neurontin.  That did the trick.  i was taking 200 mg. when i got up, 200 with
lunch, 300 at 4:00, 600 at bed-time, and then 400 mg. in the middle of the
night.  I am now doing better than in a while, and have decreased both the
neurontin and the mexilitine.

On the higher dose of neurontin, I did feel drowsy and sort of "hazy" during
the day.  I didn't like that, but sure beat the pain.

Like with all meds, there are trade-offs.  My pain doc. simply has told me
that it's up to me to choose which is worse for me...the pain or the side
effects.  Unfortunately, we can't always have both.

Two other drugs that have been VERY helpful to me:

Xanax (a tranquilizer) gives me the most immediate relief.  I kind of found it
on my own, when I was in such pain that I figured at least xanax would calm me
down.  I was surprised to find the pain lessened as well.  It's now part of my
routine; low dose when less pain; more if I have intense pain.

There is also a muscle relaxant called "soma" that has a more medical name I
can't remember.  My pain doc. figured that since muscles tense up to fight
pain, maybe a muscle relaxant would do it.  It also has helped.

I understand your reluctance to use meds, but for me, they have kept me
functional.  I don't think I shared that I have a form of cancer called
multiple myeloma, and I had a bone marrow transplant 4 years ago.  So far, i
remain in remission.  So i really don't want PHN to impact the quality of my
life any more than it has to.  for me, I believe in "better living through
chemicals."

Good luck!  Hope you feel better soon, and that maybe my notes will help you.

Barb

I am currently in the middle of a major PHN flare-up.  So far it has
lasted over a month and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

    My doctor would like me to add neurontin to the meds I take.  Aside
from not wanting to add another medication (UGH) I have heard some bad
things about neurontin and am a little afraid of trying it.

    If it's not too personal a question, I am wondering what experience
you have had with neurontin---what side effects, does it work for you,
does it seem worth it, etc.?

    Thanks for any info you can offer.

Kitty

Hi, Kitty!  Who is our third list-buddy?

You can now ignore my message asking how do I access this list, but not the
stuff about how you are feeling.

Hope you are doing better!

Barb

Hello there, list members--

    I'm glad you found us and subscribed.  I just wanted to send you a
quick note to let you know what is happening with our brand new
shingles-post-herpetic nerualgia list.

    The list is now up and hopefully running smoothly.  I'm glad you
found it and decided to subscribe.  Right now, all we need are members,
members, members!!!!

    If you know anyone who might be interested in joining our list, I
would appreciate it if you would let them know about us and ask them to
subscribe.  To make it easier, they can subscribe simply by going to the
following address:

             http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/Shingles-PHN

    I have advertised our list on a couple of list directories so
hopefully folks who are interested will be able to find us.

    Feel free to jump in and start a discussion at any time.  I'll keep
you posted on what's up, and hopefully we'll start getting more members
and some good discussions going real soon.

Peace and Health to you all,

Kitty