Shingles Treatments: Effective Relief From The Debilitating Pain Of Shingles And Health Complications That Can Arise Soon After

When Jean, a 63-year-old pensioner from Ireland went to visit her grandchildren in Southampton last autumn, she was surprised when she woke up one morning to discover a painful rash on her waist. This turned out to be shingles, also known as herpes zoster - a skin infection caused by the herpes virus (the scientific name of which is Human Herpes Virus-3). This is the same virus that causes chickenpox, which means that most of us are already infected with it as a result of having suffered from chickenpox in childhood. After an episode of chickenpox, the virus normally quietly resides in your spinal cord without posing any threat to your health.

However, for some unknown reason, one in five people experience a reawakening of the virus, which can infect the nerve endings. That's exactly what happened to Jean. The virus caused painful spots and a burning sensation over the left side of her waist. The rash eventually cleared up after a week or two, and everything seemed to be settling down. Shingles normally goes away on its own, although treatment can help to clear it up more quickly.

However, unbeknown to Jean her problems were in fact just beginning. She is one of a handful of unfortunate people who go on to develop post-herpetic neuralgia a few weeks or months after suffering from shingles. This painful condition becomes more common with age, and people aged 60 and over have a 50 per cent greater chance of developing post-herpetic neuralgia following shingles. Those who experience severe pain when they have shingles, or those who are not treated with anti-viral medication (such as Zovirax) at the time, also appear to be more at risk.

The pain is normally persistent but in some cases it can be sporadic, coming and going in phases. Most sufferers report experiencing a burning or stabbing sensation at the site where the shingles infection originally occurred - this is thought to be a result of damage to the nerves supplying that particular area of skin. In most cases only one side of the body is usually affected, particularly the waist, upper back and face. Post-herpetic neuralgia may last for months or years and is notoriously difficult to treat. However, there are effective ways of dealing with the pain that normally involve a combination of both conventional and alternative treatment approaches.

One area where doctors recognise the importance of prevention rather than simply treating symptoms
Conventional medicine rarely places any emphasis on preventive measures, and normally the onus is on treating symptoms once a disease has taken root. However, because of the persistence and severity of post-herpetic pain, many doctors now recognise the importance of preventing the condition as soon as shingles is detected.

For this reason, anti-viral medication is normally prescribed as soon as the shingles rash appears, not only to help clear it up but also to reduce the risk of post-herpetic complications developing later on. Commonly used antiviral drugs include acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir (Famvir), which all prevent the virus from spreading. Although they can help lessen the likelihood of post-herpetic neuralgia they do not entirely eradicate the risk. It is important to be aware that these drugs can cause side effects such as headaches, diarrhoea, jaundice, tiredness and allergic skin rashes. So, speak to your doctor if you suffer from any of these symptoms while taking antiviral medication.

In order to try and control the pain, doctors routinely prescribe painkillers. Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and imipramine, are sometimes given to help alleviate feelings of depression that can occur as a result of persistent pain and also to try and combat the pain itself. It is not known exactly how antidepressants work to diminish pain, but it is believed they block the sensation of pain being transmitted from the site of pain to the brain. However, they can cause adverse reactions, including dry mouth, skin rash, nausea and drowsiness.

A treatment that many patients have found effective is capsaicin cream, which is applied directly to the skin. Capsaicin is an extract of red peppers and, until a few years ago, it used to be considered an alternative treatment. Now, following its success as a pain-reliever, capsaicin has entered the world of conventional medicine, and is fully recognised by most doctors as a standard treatment. It works by blocking feelings of pain from reaching your brain, so the sensation of pain becomes dulled. It may cause an initial sensation of burning but this normally soon disappears.

How a mushroom remedy added to your bath can help ease persistent pain
Many post-herpetic neuralgia patients have reported beneficial results following the use of a Chinese mushroom called Ling Zhi (ganoderma lucidum), particularly in terms of pain reduction (Am J Chin Med 1998;26(3-4):375-381).

The pain-controlling properties of this mushroom are thought to be due to its high polysaccharide (a combination of natural sugar molecules), amino acid and mineral content (Plant Med 1997;63(3):224-227).

It is used in dry powder form and it is recommended that you add 50 grams of Ling Zhi powder to your bath each day.

Taking antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, may help to contain the initial shingles infection, in addition to protecting your nerves against damage from free radicals and other toxins released by the virus. Take 1,000mg of vitamin C and 400iu of vitamin E each day.

Safe and natural alternatives to antidepressants for relieving pain-related anxiety
Biofeedback therapy has been found to be extremely beneficial for many patients. This stress-reduction technique teaches you how to control feelings of pain by harnessing the power of your mind and using visualisation. Biofeedback therapy is mainly taught in hospitals, so you need to talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting a referral. It helps combat stress by reducing muscle tension and reducing your heart rate with the help of a machine that monitors your stress levels. You're then taught how to replicate these changes and bring about a relaxed state by yourself, without the help of the machine, when faced with a stressful situation like chronic pain.

Relaxation through hypnosis is another therapy that can help you to manage your pain more effectively. For a register of qualified hypnotherapists, and for appointments, call The British Society of Clinical Hypnosis on 0207 499 2813.

An integrative approach - a combination of conventional and alternative therapies as outlined above - is often the best way of overcoming post-herpetic neuralgia. This was certainly true for Jean, who only experienced relief from her condition following a combination of painkillers, Chinese mushroom extracts and relaxation. After using this treatment approach for three months, she eventually made a full recovery. While there is no telling which treatment, or combination of treatments, will work best for you, it may be a case that you have to try a few different treatments before you find an approach that works for you.

It is extremely important that you keep your doctor fully informed about which treatments you decide to opt for in order to avoid any possible contraindications, particularly if you are taking prescription drugs. For more information on post herpetic neuralgia, contact the Herpes Viruses Association on 0207 609 9061, or visit www.herpes.org.uk