I Got The Shingles About Six Weeks Ago. The Rash

Posted on Mon, 25 Mar 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I got the shingles about six weeks ago. The rash is mostly gone,but pain is still intense. Lidocaine doesn't do much. At least I'M not crying anymore. I'm on 300 mg,2-3 tablets per day 3 times per day, but it isn't really stopping the pain. Are there other meds, not opioids that might help? l'M wondering about what Doctor,specialist I might go to in XXXXXXX Texas or Ft. Worth, or should I give it more time?

Answered by Dr. Dr. (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
kindly see medication details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have gone through your query and here is my advice.

As per your history, to reduce pain along with tab. Gabapentin you can take tab. Nortryptyline 10 to 25 mg once a day after dermatologist consultation. You may require dose titration as per the response.

Till then for pain you can take tab. motrin(Ibuprofen) 400 mg every 6 hourly and for itching tab. claritin(loratidine) 10 mg once a day. These should be available over the counter.

Along with lidocaine you can use capsaicin ointment like zostrix alternately. Cold compression will also help. Hopefully you already completed course of anti viral medications.

Still in case of not getting relief, you can consult with Dermatologist.

Let me know I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Shyam Kale.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T