Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers Offering Pain Relief For Shingles

Today, we’re talking about the virus that causes chickenpox. When this virus reactivates it causes shingles, or Herpes Zoster. Many people associate this illness with a rash, and while that is the main symptom of shingles, ongoing pain can also be a problem for many patients. Our Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers therapists would love to help you get some relief if you’re suffering.

Have you had shingles?

Many patients fail to realize what is happening when the onset of shingles occurs because it develops in slow stages. Early symptoms of shingles include headaches, sensitivity to light, and flu-like symptoms without a fever. It can actually be several days or weeks before the rash appears.

First, it’s more likely that you’d feel pain, burning, tickling, tingling, and/or numbness in the area around the affected nerves. Later, the rash can appear anywhere on the body, but, in most cases, it appears on only one side of the body. The rash starts in the form of blisters and then scabs over. After a few weeks, the scabs will go away, but it’s quite possible for the pain to last for weeks, months, and even years. This is the final stage of shingles, referred to as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The pain associated with PHN most commonly affects the forehead or chest and may make it difficult for the patient to eat, sleep, and do daily activities. In some cases, it may also lead to depression.

Our Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers team can help many patients suffering from long-term pain caused by shingles by utilizing a lumbar sympathetic block. This is performed to block the sympathetic nerves that go to the leg on the same side as the injection. If you respond to the first injection, Dr. Christensen of Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers will recommend that you repeat injections. Usually, a series of such injections is needed to treat the problem. Some patients may need only a few and some may need more than ten. The response to such injections varies from patient to patient.

If you’re having trouble with daily activities because your pain is too much to handle, please don’t hesitate to contact our Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers therapists. Dr. Christensen operates by appointment only, and you may reach our office at 405-751-0011 to schedule a consultation.