Question:
Hi Shelagh, Thank you for your words of understanding. I am trying to rest during the day, but the pain makes me restless and, therefore, wanting to be on the move. I am on Neurontin anyway, but it doesn’t work for me in this circumstance. I will see what the anti-seizure med does. Hopefully, that will prove to be the answer. BJ-Sk. Canada "Shelagh" <valleylu…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:wTvNc.123461$od7.3879@pd7tw3no… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi BJ, from what I learned when my mother was going through this > hellish scenario you are in: carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant > and specific analgesic for trigeminal neuralgia… and my mom was > put on similar meds for her neuralgia from shingles, specifically > tegretol, until they found one that worked…. for her it was > finally neurontin though that was most effective. > I am so sorry that you have ended up with this BJ! > That was my biggest fear for you when you first came out with the > blisters and my knowing the following almost 2 years of it my mom > went through… I am wishing you at best a very speedy recovery > and at the least a fast resolution of the pain you are in! > Take good care of you; make up for your lost sleep in naps if you > can and lie low as your system won’t be ‘up’ for taking care of > much else while you are feeling as you do! > BTW mom too found analgesics to be useless for neuralgia…. she > has been on oxycontin because of an osteoporotically curved spine > involving crushed discs and it didn’t touch the extra pain from > the neuralgia! It must be something else… when I had shingles I > got lucky and never did experience the neuralgia…. thank god! > Hugs from Shelagh > "BJ" <B…@sk.nojunk.ca> wrote in message > news:10gcrlnln130sf5@corp.supernews.com… > > Hi Everybody, > > I went to the doctor yesterday. I have been having intense pain > from the > > shingles. He said I have the neuralgia that is sometimes a > result of this > > condition. He said that I could have this for up to two years, > unless they > > can calm the nerves and break the cycle. He put me on an > anti-seizure drug > > called Carbamazine. He also prescribed Tylenol #3 which he said > might help > > until the other drug kicked in. I took two of those before > bedtime last > > night. They had no effect at all. I was awakened by the pain by > midnight. I > > won’t bother taking those again. The rash from the shingles is > still not > > healed. I guess it is taking longer because of the immune > suppressing drugs. > > It has been about a month. Sorry. Just needed to whine a bit. I > think we > > have enough to deal with on a daily basis. I sure did not need > something > > else added to the mix. > > BJ-Sk. Canada
Response:
Beverley wrote: > Tegretol: I’ve taken for up to 2 years at a time. I never thought it did > much to help with neuralgia. I discovered as I came off of it I turned into > a witch!! I made PMS seem like a hang nail! I was also on it long enough to > lose feeling in my fingertips. I could burn them in a heartbeat while > cooking. Of course that also meant I could wash dishes in really hot water. > It does go away eventually. Yet while I was on it I didn’t seem to have any > problems - unless you call losing sensation in my fingertips a problem.
Maybe BJ won’t have problems with that with the Raynaud’s. I don’t. I don’t feel it when I burn my fingertips. > I’m so sorry I don’t have anything really helpful. > But I’m sending you a really big (((((((HUG)))))))) cause cyber hugs never > hurt and always feel really good! > Bev
And to you both from me ( ( ( BJ and Bev ) ) ) J
Response:
Tegretol: I’ve taken for up to 2 years at a time. I never thought it did much to help with neuralgia. I discovered as I came off of it I turned into a witch!! I made PMS seem like a hang nail! I was also on it long enough to lose feeling in my fingertips. I could burn them in a heartbeat while cooking. Of course that also meant I could wash dishes in really hot water. It does go away eventually. Yet while I was on it I didn’t seem to have any problems - unless you call losing sensation in my fingertips a problem. I’m so sorry I don’t have anything really helpful. But I’m sending you a really big (((((((HUG)))))))) cause cyber hugs never hurt and always feel really good! Bev "J" <lightho…@example.org> wrote in message
news:41068DE3.30FF4E38@execulink.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Shelagh wrote: > > Hi BJ, from what I learned when my mother was going through this > > hellish scenario you are in: carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant > > and specific analgesic for trigeminal neuralgia… and my mom was > > put on similar meds for her neuralgia from shingles, specifically > > tegretol, until they found one that worked…. for her it was > > finally neurontin though that was most effective. > > I am so sorry that you have ended up with this BJ! > > That was my biggest fear for you when you first came out with the > > blisters and my knowing the following almost 2 years of it my mom > > went through… I am wishing you at best a very speedy recovery > > and at the least a fast resolution of the pain you are in! > > Take good care of you; make up for your lost sleep in naps if you > > can and lie low as your system won’t be ‘up’ for taking care of > > much else while you are feeling as you do! > > BTW mom too found analgesics to be useless for neuralgia…. she > > has been on oxycontin because of an osteoporotically curved spine > > involving crushed discs and it didn’t touch the extra pain from > > the neuralgia! It must be something else… when I had shingles I > > got lucky and never did experience the neuralgia…. thank god! > > Hugs from Shelagh > > " > Actually both those drugs may not be good for the liver. and BJ has a > weird liver thing. > I know my friend can’t take Tylenol # 3 anymore (but she took it for 18 > months or so). > http://www.druginfonet.com/index.php?pageID=faq/new/DRUG_FAQ/Tegretol… > Question: The drug Tegretol was given to a friend of mine after > neurosurgery for base of the skull Meningioma. She presently has Lupus > and results of a recent blood test showed antinuclear factor positive. > What does all this mean? Is there a connection between the various > elements? > Answer: Tegretol is an anti-seizure drug often prescribed after brain > surgery to prevent any subsequent seizures due to irritation of the > brain with the surgery. It is usually tolerated well, but blood levels > are very important as is checking the white blood cell levels which it > can occasionally effect. Sedation, itching, and liver toxicity are the > most common effects seen in my patients. Antinuclear > antibody(abbreviated ANA) is a diagnostic test for Systemic Lupus > Erythematosis. It is also elevated in other connective tissue diseases– > like Rheumatoid Arthritis. There are some drugs that can cause the body > to produce these antibodies(called drug induced Lupus). These include > procainamine, isoniazid, hydralazine, methydopa, quinidine, interferon, > some birth control pills, chlorpromazine, etc. Tegretol is not usually > on this list. > Should I Start Taking Tegretol for Shingles? > Question: I am 62 years old, and I have been diagnosed with Shingles. > The doctor prescribed Zavirox, Ultram and 1400 mg ibuprophen per day. > Also, I presently take Synthroid, Accupril,Premarin, and Voltarin on a > daily basis.I have been in extreme pain on my rightside. I have recently > experienced more of a rash which has covered my face and neck and > several patches on my right side–basically in a belt at the lower rib > cage, behind my right shoulder and another belt extending from the > breast to the back. My first attack goes back years. The pain has been > recurrant, but not always with so much of a rash. The doctor suggested > that I might consider Tegretol, but I would need to be monitored by a > neurologist or an internist. Since Tegretol is an anticonvulsant drug, I > am wondering how does this help Shingles? Any information you can > provide is appreciated. > Answer: Well, tegretol might be of help;but, I would try Zostrix cream > first. Available OTC in .025 or .075. Start with the .025-apply it to > affected areas twice a day(once a day the first week if it stings too > much). It will take 3-4 weeks to work, so don’t give up on it. But, > tends to be very effective and without the side effects of tegretol. > <I’ve been "out of it" here for computer reasons> > Has she tried Zostrix cream? > J
Response:
Whine all you need too!!!! After all that is what we are all here for. I sure wish, hope and pray that you will be getting relief soon! Hugs, Sherry "BJ" <B…@sk.nojunk.ca> wrote in message
news:10gcrlnln130sf5@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everybody, > I went to the doctor yesterday. I have been having intense pain from the > shingles. He said I have the neuralgia that is sometimes a result of this > condition. He said that I could have this for up to two years, unless they > can calm the nerves and break the cycle. He put me on an anti-seizure drug > called Carbamazine. He also prescribed Tylenol #3 which he said might help > until the other drug kicked in. I took two of those before bedtime last > night. They had no effect at all. I was awakened by the pain by midnight. I > won’t bother taking those again. The rash from the shingles is still not > healed. I guess it is taking longer because of the immune suppressing drugs. > It has been about a month. Sorry. Just needed to whine a bit. I think we > have enough to deal with on a daily basis. I sure did not need something > else added to the mix. > BJ-Sk. Canada
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Shelagh wrote: > Hi BJ, from what I learned when my mother was going through this > hellish scenario you are in: carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant > and specific analgesic for trigeminal neuralgia… and my mom was > put on similar meds for her neuralgia from shingles, specifically > tegretol, until they found one that worked…. for her it was > finally neurontin though that was most effective. > I am so sorry that you have ended up with this BJ! > That was my biggest fear for you when you first came out with the > blisters and my knowing the following almost 2 years of it my mom > went through… I am wishing you at best a very speedy recovery > and at the least a fast resolution of the pain you are in! > Take good care of you; make up for your lost sleep in naps if you > can and lie low as your system won’t be ‘up’ for taking care of > much else while you are feeling as you do! > BTW mom too found analgesics to be useless for neuralgia…. she > has been on oxycontin because of an osteoporotically curved spine > involving crushed discs and it didn’t touch the extra pain from > the neuralgia! It must be something else… when I had shingles I > got lucky and never did experience the neuralgia…. thank god! > Hugs from Shelagh > "
Actually both those drugs may not be good for the liver. and BJ has a weird liver thing. I know my friend can’t take Tylenol # 3 anymore (but she took it for 18 months or so). http://www.druginfonet.com/index.php?pageID=faq/new/DRUG_FAQ/Tegretol… Question: The drug Tegretol was given to a friend of mine after neurosurgery for base of the skull Meningioma. She presently has Lupus and results of a recent blood test showed antinuclear factor positive. What does all this mean? Is there a connection between the various elements? Answer: Tegretol is an anti-seizure drug often prescribed after brain surgery to prevent any subsequent seizures due to irritation of the brain with the surgery. It is usually tolerated well, but blood levels are very important as is checking the white blood cell levels which it can occasionally effect. Sedation, itching, and liver toxicity are the most common effects seen in my patients. Antinuclear antibody(abbreviated ANA) is a diagnostic test for Systemic Lupus Erythematosis. It is also elevated in other connective tissue diseases– like Rheumatoid Arthritis. There are some drugs that can cause the body to produce these antibodies(called drug induced Lupus). These include procainamine, isoniazid, hydralazine, methydopa, quinidine, interferon, some birth control pills, chlorpromazine, etc. Tegretol is not usually on this list. Should I Start Taking Tegretol for Shingles? Question: I am 62 years old, and I have been diagnosed with Shingles. The doctor prescribed Zavirox, Ultram and 1400 mg ibuprophen per day. Also, I presently take Synthroid, Accupril,Premarin, and Voltarin on a daily basis.I have been in extreme pain on my rightside. I have recently experienced more of a rash which has covered my face and neck and several patches on my right side–basically in a belt at the lower rib cage, behind my right shoulder and another belt extending from the breast to the back. My first attack goes back years. The pain has been recurrant, but not always with so much of a rash. The doctor suggested that I might consider Tegretol, but I would need to be monitored by a neurologist or an internist. Since Tegretol is an anticonvulsant drug, I am wondering how does this help Shingles? Any information you can provide is appreciated. Answer: Well, tegretol might be of help;but, I would try Zostrix cream first. Available OTC in .025 or .075. Start with the .025-apply it to affected areas twice a day(once a day the first week if it stings too much). It will take 3-4 weeks to work, so don’t give up on it. But, tends to be very effective and without the side effects of tegretol. <I’ve been "out of it" here for computer reasons> Has she tried Zostrix cream? J
Response:
The doctor had me using Zovirax cream until the rash started to dry. It is helpful for the discomfort of the lesions, but doesn’t seem to have any effect on the post neuralgia. I’ll be glad when you are back in the loop. Gad, I miss you. BJ-Sk. Canada "J" <lightho…@example.org> wrote in message
news:41068DE3.30FF4E38@execulink.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Shelagh wrote: > > Hi BJ, from what I learned when my mother was going through this > > hellish scenario you are in: carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant > > and specific analgesic for trigeminal neuralgia… and my mom was > > put on similar meds for her neuralgia from shingles, specifically > > tegretol, until they found one that worked…. for her it was > > finally neurontin though that was most effective. > > I am so sorry that you have ended up with this BJ! > > That was my biggest fear for you when you first came out with the > > blisters and my knowing the following almost 2 years of it my mom > > went through… I am wishing you at best a very speedy recovery > > and at the least a fast resolution of the pain you are in! > > Take good care of you; make up for your lost sleep in naps if you > > can and lie low as your system won’t be ‘up’ for taking care of > > much else while you are feeling as you do! > > BTW mom too found analgesics to be useless for neuralgia…. she > > has been on oxycontin because of an osteoporotically curved spine > > involving crushed discs and it didn’t touch the extra pain from > > the neuralgia! It must be something else… when I had shingles I > > got lucky and never did experience the neuralgia…. thank god! > > Hugs from Shelagh > > " > Actually both those drugs may not be good for the liver. and BJ has a > weird liver thing. > I know my friend can’t take Tylenol # 3 anymore (but she took it for 18 > months or so). > http://www.druginfonet.com/index.php?pageID=faq/new/DRUG_FAQ/Tegretol… > Question: The drug Tegretol was given to a friend of mine after > neurosurgery for base of the skull Meningioma. She presently has Lupus > and results of a recent blood test showed antinuclear factor positive. > What does all this mean? Is there a connection between the various > elements? > Answer: Tegretol is an anti-seizure drug often prescribed after brain > surgery to prevent any subsequent seizures due to irritation of the > brain with the surgery. It is usually tolerated well, but blood levels > are very important as is checking the white blood cell levels which it > can occasionally effect. Sedation, itching, and liver toxicity are the > most common effects seen in my patients. Antinuclear > antibody(abbreviated ANA) is a diagnostic test for Systemic Lupus > Erythematosis. It is also elevated in other connective tissue diseases– > like Rheumatoid Arthritis. There are some drugs that can cause the body > to produce these antibodies(called drug induced Lupus). These include > procainamine, isoniazid, hydralazine, methydopa, quinidine, interferon, > some birth control pills, chlorpromazine, etc. Tegretol is not usually > on this list. > Should I Start Taking Tegretol for Shingles? > Question: I am 62 years old, and I have been diagnosed with Shingles. > The doctor prescribed Zavirox, Ultram and 1400 mg ibuprophen per day. > Also, I presently take Synthroid, Accupril,Premarin, and Voltarin on a > daily basis.I have been in extreme pain on my rightside. I have recently > experienced more of a rash which has covered my face and neck and > several patches on my right side–basically in a belt at the lower rib > cage, behind my right shoulder and another belt extending from the > breast to the back. My first attack goes back years. The pain has been > recurrant, but not always with so much of a rash. The doctor suggested > that I might consider Tegretol, but I would need to be monitored by a > neurologist or an internist. Since Tegretol is an anticonvulsant drug, I > am wondering how does this help Shingles? Any information you can > provide is appreciated. > Answer: Well, tegretol might be of help;but, I would try Zostrix cream > first. Available OTC in .025 or .075. Start with the .025-apply it to > affected areas twice a day(once a day the first week if it stings too > much). It will take 3-4 weeks to work, so don’t give up on it. But, > tends to be very effective and without the side effects of tegretol. > <I’ve been "out of it" here for computer reasons> > Has she tried Zostrix cream? > J
Response:
Hi Everybody, I went to the doctor yesterday. I have been having intense pain from the shingles. He said I have the neuralgia that is sometimes a result of this condition. He said that I could have this for up to two years, unless they can calm the nerves and break the cycle. He put me on an anti-seizure drug called Carbamazine. He also prescribed Tylenol #3 which he said might help until the other drug kicked in. I took two of those before bedtime last night. They had no effect at all. I was awakened by the pain by midnight. I won’t bother taking those again. The rash from the shingles is still not healed. I guess it is taking longer because of the immune suppressing drugs. It has been about a month. Sorry. Just needed to whine a bit. I think we have enough to deal with on a daily basis. I sure did not need something else added to the mix. BJ-Sk. Canada
Response:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000415/2437.html Carbamazepine (Tegretol) 100 mg orally at bedtime; increase dosage by 100 mg every 3 days until dosage is 200 mg three times daily, response is adequate or blood drug level is 6 to12
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