Post Shingles Pain

Dear Dr Yeo

I have been suffering in GREAT PAIN for the past 6 months. The SHARP PAIN started from my back, then it radiated to my right chest wall. The PAIN was really a torture! I simply cannot concentrate on my work & my emotion is greatly affected. NO doctor or pain killers work for me. I felt so helpless.

Ms Chia Allison

Ms Chia Allison was referred to me 6 months after the onset of her severe pain. Close clinical examination revealed a neuropathic pain, where the slightest of strokes on the skin produces severe pain-a medical term called allodynia. There were also small but visible scars, all features consistent with post shingles neuropathic pain, also known as post herpetic neuralgia.

Starting her on antineuropathic agents and subsequent treatments with intrathecal methylpredniolone helped alleviate her pain significantly. Her pain was greatly relieved even at one year of follow-up. Her pain score was 3/10 and her sleep, family and work functions were fully restored. In severe and late cases, spinal cord stimulator may have to be implanted.