I had shingles in 2017. The rash itself lasted for a couple of weeks, and I was in absolute agony for a few months afterwards. Since that time, I have had PHN, which is very common after shingles, if one is an older person (I'm 76). My left torso, from the spine to the belly button, hurts 24/7. Sometimes it hurts more than other times, and sitting bothers me the most.
The pain is not as bad as when I had the rash or the few months afterwards when I was in such pain I could hardly do anything. Thank heavens it's not that bad now, but I'm so tired of it. I have tried acupuncture, aspercream, and a nerve block. Gabapentin was prescribed as a painkiller when the rash broke out and the agony began, but it's an awful drug (in my opinion) and I don't want to take it again. It made me groggy, unable to speak properly, affected my balance, and I gained weight!
If anyone has anything they've tried for PHN that helps the pain, please respond. From what I read, this pain can last the rest of my life. I must find a way to live with it, I guess.
