Wellness

[Nightowlz]

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@jewel3 wrote:

Alpha lipoid acid is often taken to counteract the effects of post hepatic and diabetic neuralgia - 600 mg. 2x daily 

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@jewel3 If you are hypothyroid Alpha Lipoic Acid interferes with T4 to T3 conversion so your dosage may change. I was going to try it but did not want to go back to the doctor since I'm hypothyroid.

[noodleann]

I just saw this in the August/September issue of "Neurology Now," a free subscription that's also available on the internet. I thought it might be useful to some people dealing with the aftermath of shingles.

You Ask. We Answer: How do you treat postherpetic neuralgia caused by shingles?

<snip>

AVAILABLE TREATMENTS

You may be able to avoid postherpetic neuralgia completely by taking an antiviral medication such as acyclovir (Zovirax, Valtrex) or valacyclovir (Valtrex) within three days of a shingles outbreak. Otherwise, treatments include a short course of an anti-inflammatory drug such as prednisone to reduce inflammation within the nerves.

The antiseizure medication pregabalin (Lyrica) is approved by the FDA to help reduce pain by stabilizing the electrical-like activity in damaged nerves. Neurologists may also prescribe gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant). Side effects may include drowsiness, sleepiness, and loss of balance.

Antidepressants, including escitalopram (Lexapro) or quetiapine (Seroquel), help reduce the pain and treat any associated depression. Side effects may include drowsiness, dry mouth, and sometimes weight gain.

If the pain is severe, doctors may prescribe a low-dose of an opioid painkiller such as oxycodone. Opioids can be addictive so you should discuss the risk of addiction with your doctor before you start taking the drugs.

Author: Peter J. Dyck, MD, FAAN, is the Roy E. and Merle Meyer Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience and director of the Peripheral Nerve Research Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.