Is what I have PHN?

Brain and nerves
1

I got the shingles about 2.5 months ago under my left arm, and while the pain when the rash was there was not so bad (caught it early), I have not felt like myself since then.

I first started feeling severe back pain - I’ve had slipped discs before so I thought it was another episode - but the symptoms were not the same. Mostly this was a feeling of soreness along the left side of my back - and my lower back too.

Then I felt numbness in the left side of my face - which has turned into more of a tingling/itching/tightness sensation now.

I did both a brain MRI and a back MRI and nothing significant has appeared there.

Now I also feel sensitivity in the area where the shingles were located, some itching on my knuckles (same arm).

Generally- I am quite fatigued and have ups and downs in terms of how my back and shoulder feel, but there is a general sensation of pain that is constantly there. I wake up feeling like my back is 40 years older than it really is (I am 39).

I guess this can all be attributed to PHN? The face numbness worried me as some drs said that this can’t be caused by shingles since the affected nerve is not the same, but another dr said that anything on the left side of my body can be attributed to PHN  (i sometimes feel itching/tingling down my leg too!)

Overall I am not in excruciating pain luckily, but I am simply not myself and it’s making me anxious and tired and annoyed. Anyone else has had the same symptoms? This forum is quite helpful.

2

Hi Tam,

In my experience of having PHN for 6 years, it has only affected the nerve where I had shingles. I was told that they would not diagnose PHN until I had had the pain for more than 6 months. In my case it has affected the trigeminal nerve in my face and the pain is quite severe. That means that my sleep is disturbed so I feel tired all the time.

I attend a pain clinic and have been through lots of different treatments until we have found something that helps.

I would urge you to keep asking questions of your doctor, because you are obviously (and quite rightly) still concerned. I can only give you my experience, but I am not medically qualified, so you need someone who can do all the tests until you know what is causing your symptoms. I know how hard it can be to keep insisting, but if you are worried you need answers.

Good luck.

3

Hi Tam

I understand your problem, as I have suffered from PHN now for 2.5 years.

We are all affected differently, but we have a common need for pain relief.

Could I suggest a topical cream to overcome the pain and itching problem, while you search for the cause of the problem.

I have posted my topical cream many times in this forum, and recommend it to you.

Regards Ray.