Post Herpetic Neuraglia

Shingles

             This condition is caused due to nerve damage which is inflicted when virus particles which have laid dormant for many years, become active and find their way to a nerve segment or segments originating from either the spinal cord, or nerves coming directly off the brain. (cranial nerves) This virus is the Varicella, or Chicken Pox virus.   This condition usually begins with the onset of itching and redness along a linear pattern on the skin where a particular nerve runs or supplies. Most commonly the trunk in the area of the ribs is affected, though the abdomen, shoulder and upper arm as well as the head and neck may be involved. Of lesser frequency are the legs and feet.
      The reasons that some people acquire the condition while others do not remains unclear. However, a common aspect seems to exist in all people, in that the condition is usually brought on by a very stressful life crisis event, such as the death of a loved one, ones’ own serious illness such as cancer or a prolonged recovery from a serious injury or surgical operation, the breakup of a marriage, a major life change in one’s vocation or uprooting of one’s home or other similar stressful events. The condition virtually always effects either one side of the body or the other, but almost never on both sides at the same level.  
      Early treatment is the key to minimizing the long term damage and therefore prolonged painful effects of the disease. If the appropriate injection is done within the first few days or week of onset, long term pain is usually avoided.
      The physicians at Trinity Pain Medicine Associates have many years of experience managing pain associated with this disorder and are anxious to help you avoid a long, agonizing period of persistent discomfort.

Ashley M. Classen, D.O, F.A.O.C.A.  &  E. Jo Bailey, M.D.
1401 Henderson Street  •  Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Phone 817.332.3664  •  Fax 817.334.0575