[januarybabe]

I have nerve pain and am on 1600 mg per day of gabapentin which for the most part helps quite a bit. I do have problems wearing clothes. Nerve pain started in lower abdomen moved around to waist, legs, and arms. I quit wearing pants due to pain and switched to dresses. Now I feel pain in legs from swishing of material in dresses. I am afraid of becoming housebound if I can't wear clothes.

This pain started last year and has gotten worse. I did have shingles in 2003 and again in 2010. Both cases were mild. Doctors have asked about shingles. Has anyone ever heard of PHN years later?

[mrsD]

Yes, it is possible. You can ask for anti-viral therapy. Doctors may want to do some H. Zoster titres to satisfy themselves that this is the culprit.

Using some L-lysine daily may help. Also zinc. Both may put the virus back into dormancy.

Lidoderm patches have been the main offered treatment for this, and you would need to ask for them. Placed along the spine where the affected ganglia are, may help you.