Pain from shingles can be severe and debilitating. Unfortunately, as our body ages, our immune system ages, and a viral infection from childhood, herpes zoster, which has been hiding in our nerve roots, comes back out to cause the severely painful infection known as shingles.

Not only does shingles itself cause severe pain, but can lead to a phenomenon known as post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is the persistence of pain long after the herpes zoster infection has cleared. This pain, known as neuropathic pain, is one of the most difficult types of pain to treat. Adequate pain control of this syndrome usually involves good medication management in conjunction with injections.

If you have shingles or postherpetic neuralgia or know someone who does with inadequate pain control, our doctor at Park West Pain Management would be happy to see you for a consultation.