Coping with Postherpetic Neuralgia: Advice Needed

Maintain a healthy diet, Keto diet (low carbs, high protein, no refined sugar) helps control the pain cause you keep the body inflammation low. If you get a persistent pain, as your doctor for strong steroids to reduce the pain. Neurologist might prescribe antidepressants or anticonvulsant drugs. Do your research before taking any of these drugs. They are highly addictive and have very bad side effects. Don’t take it unless you have exhausted all your alternatives treatment options. Acupuncture helps. I go once a month. Tell your acupuncturist exactly what your condition is and they’ll help you. You gotta go to a good one. Find ways to alleviate your stress. Get your proper sleep every night. I used Cannabis oil without THC and applied a small amount where the pain was, kept my head worm and it helped alleviate the pain. Talk to an immunologist and try an antiviral drug. It keeps the virus under control.

My postherpetic neuralgia is because of herpes zoster virus (the same chickenpox virus). This virus lives in the nerve and never leaves the body. The same applies to the other heroes virus that causes this. I got a flare up after the COVID vaccine. I took strong steroids to reduce the inflammation which also reduced the pain. I only get pain during season changes and weather changes, and the pain usually lasts about 30 seconds, repeats itself a few times for 1-2 weeks then it’s gone for 3-6 months. It’s tolerable for me.

Not to sound weird but I’m glad I’m not alone. I just turned 21 and I just got it for the first time and BOY is it so fucking painful. We didn’t know what it was so I spent hours in the ER just sobbing the whole time. I cried more in those ten hours than I have in YEARS. I feel so weird for having it at such a young age but it is kinda nice to see I’m not alone in this, and neither are you! ❤️

How long has it been since your breakout? It gets better over time so keep your hopes up!