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Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment in Brooklyn, NYC & NJ

Developing shingles is distressing and often painful. Having moderate to severe pain after the rashes have cleared up can soon become overwhelming. Postherpetic neuralgia is the nerve pain condition that some people develop after shingles. To receive the most comprehensive new treatments for postherpetic neuralgia in New York or New Jersey, call Neuro Injury Specialists as soon as possible. Begin treatment today.

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    What Is Postherpetic Neuralgia?

    Postherpetic neuralgia, also referred to as PNH, is a chronic nervous system disorder that afflicts people who have had shingles. PHN occurs when the nerve fibers are damaged by the virus and continue to send pain signals to the brain even after the shingles rash has healed. PHN can cause severe and debilitating nerve pain.

    The expert physicians of Neuro Injury Specialists have extensive experience and expertise in treating PHN. Dr. Mark Cohen, a neurologist, has teamed up with Dr. Dmitriy Dvoskin and Dr. Leon Reyfman board certified pain management specialist to offer a comprehensive and personalized approach to post-herpetic neuralgia treatment that includes the latest and most advanced options available.

    Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment in Brooklyn, NYC & NJ

    What Are the Symptoms of Postherpetic Neuralgia?

    The main symptom of PHN is pain that persists or returns after the shingles rash has healed. Shingles usually last for two to four weeks and then heals. In some people, the pain persists or returns after the rash has gone. This is called postherpetic neuralgia.

    PHN happens when the virus damages the nerve fibers and causes them to malfunction. The damaged nerves send abnormal signals to the brain, resulting in pain that can be constant or intermittent, mild or severe, burning or stabbing.

    Some of the common descriptions of postherpetic neuralgia pain include:

    • Burning, throbbing or stabbing pain
    • Sensitivity to light touch or pressure
    • Itching, tingling or numbness
    • Electric shock-like sensations

    What Are the New Treatments for Postherpetic Neuralgia?

    There are drug and non-drug treatments available for postherpetic neuralgia treatment, including well-known post-herpetic neuralgia treatments and promising new treatments for PHN. The new treatments are designed to reduce risks such as dependence.

    The effectiveness of postherpetic neuralgia treatment depends on several factors, such as the severity of the pain, the duration of the condition, the individual response to the medication and the presence of any side effects.

    Some of the treatments available today in New York and New Jersey include:

    • Lidocaine skin patches. These patches are applied to the painful area to provide temporary relief with local anesthetic. These patches can be bought over the counter or through your doctor’s prescription.
    • Capsaicin skin patch. This is a patch that contains a high dose of capsaicin, a substance derived from chili peppers. It can be applied to the painful area to reduce the sensitivity of the nerve fibers. It can reduce pain for up to three months.
    • These are medications that stabilize the abnormal electrical activity in the nerves. They include gabapentin and pregabalin, which are approved for PHN treatment. They usually are taken orally as capsules.
    • Opioid painkillers. This post-herpetic neuralgia treatment acts on the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. These drugs include tramadol, oxycodone and morphine. These drugs are also helpful for tension headachescluster headaches and chronic migraines.
    • Nerve blocks. Depending on the region of your pain, there’s a nerve block to derail the pain signals before they reach your brain.
    • Scrambler therapy. A non-invasive device, this treatment delivers electrical signals to the skin to interfere with pain perception. It can reduce the intensity and frequency of PHN pain for up to six months.
    • Ozone autohemotherapy. This is a technique that involves injecting ozone-enriched blood into the body to enhance oxygen delivery and reduce inflammation. It can improve your quality of life and functioning.
    • Neurostimulation involves stimulating the nerves of your spinal cord with electrical impulses or drugs to modulate pain signals.

     

    Who’s at Risk of Developing Postherpetic Neuralgia?

    If you’ve had shingles, you may be at a high risk of getting postherpetic neuralgia. You might also be at risk If you have had chickenpox. This is because the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes both chickenpox and shingles.

    After you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the nerve roots for the rest of your life.

    However, PHN is also more likely to occur in people who have certain risk factors that include:

    • Older people are more prone to develop PHN than younger people. You’re more at risk if you’re over 50.
    • Immune system. People who have a weakened immune system due to diseases, medications or ongoing treatments are more susceptible to shingles and PHN. These include people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplants or autoimmune disorders.
    • Severity of shingles. People who have a severe shingles rash or intense pain during the shingles outbreak are more likely to develop PHN. The larger the area of the rash and the longer it lasts, the higher the risk you have of developing PHN.

    What Happens if I Don’t Get Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment?

    Living with postherpetic neuralgia in the long term can affect your physical and mental health if left untreated. The pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities, from working and sleeping, to eating and socializing.

    You may also experience emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, stress or anger.

    Some of the consequences of not getting treatment for PHN include:

    • Reduced quality of life. You may feel unhappy, hopeless or isolated because of your pain. You may lose interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy. You may also have trouble coping with your condition and feel frustrated or helpless.
    • Increased risk of health You may develop other health problems as a result of your pain, such as insomnia, weight loss or gain, high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. You may also be more prone to infections or injuries because of your impaired immune system or reduced sensations.
    • Increased use of painkillers. You may rely on over the counter or prescription painkillers to manage your pain. However, these drugs can have side effects, such as stomach ulcers, liver damage, kidney problems, medication overuse headaches and addiction. They can also lose their effectiveness over time and require higher doses to achieve the same relief.

     

    Postherpetic neuralgia is a chronic nerve pain condition that can affect people who have had shingles. The good news is that it’s treatable with effective new treatments for postherpetic neuralgia. At Neuro Injury Specialists, you receive a comprehensive and personalized PNH treatment. Contact them to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cohen, Dr. Dvoskin or Dr. Reyfman to discuss the best treatment options for you.