Horrible Neuropathy Pain after having had Shingles

Hello, I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this. I stopped taking abx a few months ago, but was still treating with supplements and a rife machine. The abx were causing major problems with my stomach. Anyway some of you may remember I started getting severe muscle pain which lasted three months before a rash appeared. It turns out it was a rare kind of shingles where you don't have to get a rash. I did get a rash (well it happened four timess) But it finally went away a week or so ago.

Now my neuropathy has flared right back up to where it was a year ago. It was getting to the point where it was pretty tolerable, although I still had to rely on 3200 mgs of Gabapentin. It used to be when I'm was on my feet it is hardly noticeable at all. It only got somewhat bad when I was lying or sitting down. However, I have been making myself stay stand up as much as possible. Now that the pain is over the top, I'm making myself extremely exhausted because I tend to overdo when I'm on my feet. I've never mastered the ability to just stand around, I've got lying down mastered though, lol.

Now the 3200 mgs does nothing and I'm afraid if I go back to my GP she will just want to put me on Lyica. I know many have had good luck with it, but I know it causes weight gain and I'm finally starting to lose weight. I am prediabetic and was told that losing 20 lbs would nip it in the bud.

Does this sound like a normal "Lyme" thing? I pray that it settles down, I don't think I can stand this level of pain for another year. I do have medical marijuana and kratom, but those just make me go to sleep and then I'm up all night or will sleep 20 hours a day.

Thanks much

I would question if the Shingles has returned first of all - reactivating of viruses is one of Lyme specialties!

If it's not a reactivation of the shingles virus, then you can assume that it's Lyme, or Lyme and Bart (when they are combined, it's 'normal' to have more nerve issues).

If it's "just" Lyme and company, then I would encourage you to start on things that reduce inflammation and calm the nerves. I really only know about the herbs that do this, but surely a talk with your doctor would help.

For the herbs that may help, I like Avena sativa, as it helps the nervous system in many ways.

I also use lion's mane, as it's been proven to remyelinate the nerves, and it's working pretty well for me to lower nerve pain and dysfunction.

Turmeric, ginger and boswellin are the three that I found helped me the most with nerve pain - although a highly intuitive acupuncture therapist is what really made a massive difference for me. I was only able to stand for 7 minutes at a time because of my pain levels (just opposite of what you experience) and acupuncture was the only thing that slowly made a difference for me.

Japanese knotweed is a good anti-inflammatory, but it is also a treatment herb for Lyme and Bartonella, so it can cause herxing as well.

The shingles virus can last between two and six weeks. Shingles isn’t life-threatening, but some people experience postherpetic neuralgia. This is when nerve fibers become damaged, causing shingles pain to last for weeks or months after the rash clears.

My age group is notorious for shingles. It is a virus that has to run its course. No cure. I was so frightened by seeing those with it, I got the shot. I got the shot years before I got lyme. At that time you had to be 60 to get the shot. I think they have lowered it to 50 unless doctor ordered.

I just went to the pharmacy, showed my license and got the shot. No doctor visit required here in Cali.

Now having lyme in me??? I don't know that I would get any shot..... I hope I don't have to make that decision.

Peteza, I forgot to mention that I didn ask my first LLMD about getting the shot and he was against getting it. First he said my immune system couldn't handle it and second he said it only covers a couple of strains so it's not worth it. I haven't researched it so I don't really know. Of course he totatlly missed my muscle pain being from shingles (but muscle pain is a symptom of Lyme too).

I haven't gotten vaccinations for over 20 years because I would have such a bad reaction each time.

Hi Laker7491 -

Good input from others.

I think in your case, I'd go ahead and take antivirals - if you feel benefit, that's your answer. If not, you can try a different antiviral or stop taking them. I wouldn't rely on your MD to figure it out (although you probably already skipped this step anyway!) and the testing is yet another thing that is confusing as MDs rely on 'tells' of reactivation/new viruses more than is accurate, I think.

Anyway, a high viral load can bring on so many confusing symptoms and the antivirals are generally pretty effective - so much easier on the body to suppress the viruses so it and you can concentrate on Lyme & Co. I would take the liver support (milk thistle seed, burdock root) as well with any antiviral Rx.

-p

Glad the shingles pain is gone and bladder probs are typical of lyme.

What an adventure, huh? Never a dull moment with lyme. Just one thing and then right on to another.

Frustrating and exhausting and downright depressing.

Hang in there, watch comedies, listen to comedians on disc and learn to laugh at "stuff."