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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Pain In The Left Hand After Treating Shingles?

I am a 65 woman who got shingles on my left hand from the tip of my thumb to my neck. The blisters dried up, there was no leaking from any of the blisters. I now have excruciating pain in my left hand. I can't use it and it is very weak. I currently take gabapentin twice a day but it only slightly reduces the pain. Do you have any suggestions for my pain? The thought of this being my life from now on is a nightmare.
posted on Wed, 20 Jul 2016
Twitter Sat, 13 Aug 2016 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 17 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Shingles is characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters involving a localized area. It is caused by varicella zoster virus. Shingles occurs when viral antibody titer and cellular immunity decline to levels that allow viral reactivation. Predisposing factors are old age, immune-compromised patients such as HIV infection, patients on chronic steroid and chemotherapy. Shingles resolves within 3–5 weeks, but secondary bacterial infection and chronic pain due to post – herpetic neuralgia may occur. High potency live attenuated VZV vaccine (Zostavax) is available and it reduce the risk of getting shingles in individuals 50 years of age and older. Vaccination reduces the frequency of post – herpetic neuralgia. Duration of recovery from post – herpetic neuralgia is uncertain and variable. Your lesions have healed now so there is no need to take anti – viral medicine.
Advice
1.     You can take Zostavax vaccine as your age is 65 years under medical supervision
2.     Gabapentin 100 mg three times daily for 15 days
3.     Methylcobalamin 500 mcg once daily per oral for 3 months
4.     Give your hand proper rest
5.     Do not take mental stress as it aggravates shingles
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What Causes Severe Pain In The Left Hand After Treating Shingles?

Shingles is characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters involving a localized area. It is caused by varicella zoster virus. Shingles occurs when viral antibody titer and cellular immunity decline to levels that allow viral reactivation. Predisposing factors are old age, immune-compromised patients such as HIV infection, patients on chronic steroid and chemotherapy. Shingles resolves within 3–5 weeks, but secondary bacterial infection and chronic pain due to post – herpetic neuralgia may occur. High potency live attenuated VZV vaccine (Zostavax) is available and it reduce the risk of getting shingles in individuals 50 years of age and older. Vaccination reduces the frequency of post – herpetic neuralgia. Duration of recovery from post – herpetic neuralgia is uncertain and variable. Your lesions have healed now so there is no need to take anti – viral medicine. Advice 1. You can take Zostavax vaccine as your age is 65 years under medical supervision 2. Gabapentin 100 mg three times daily for 15 days 3. Methylcobalamin 500 mcg once daily per oral for 3 months 4. Give your hand proper rest 5. Do not take mental stress as it aggravates shingles Thanks