I am in a lot of pain. What about medication for PHN?

Chances are you have PHN. It the most common complication of Shingles, and it is defined as significant pain that persists or returns more than five weeks after the first appearance of the shingles rash.

Topical substances are available for Postherpetic Neuralgia in the form of Creams, patches, or gels containing various substances that can provide pain relief :

• Capsaicin (Zostrix) is an ointment prepared from the active ingredient in hot chili peppers. Although it is approved for postherpetic neuralgia, its benefits are very limited. In one study, it reduced pain by 21% compared to 6% in those who were given a placebo. This substance SHOULD NOT be used until the blisters have completely dried out and are falling off the skin. Capsaicin should be handled using a glove, and applied to affected areas three or four times daily. As a patient, you will usually experience a burning sensation when the drug is first applied, but this sensation diminishes with use. It may take up to six weeks for you to experience its full effect, however, and you could be one of the 33% of the patients who cannot tolerate the burning sensation. Many find no benefit at all.

• Lidocaine and Other Anesthetic Patches. A patch that contains the anesthetic lidocaine (Lidoderm) is approved specifically for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Several studies have been conducted and they HAVE NOT demonstrated its effectiveness and safety. One to three patches are generally applied for 12 hours a day. Another patch (EMLA) contains both lidocaine and prilocaine, a second anesthetic. These patches are very expensive. The most common side effects are skin redness or rash.

• EZ Pain Relief (available on this web site) has the potential to revolutionize Shingles pain management because it is applied topically to the area of discomfort and gets right to the source of the pain by means of a very small quantity of herbs blended together through a special proprietary process and mixing procedure that increases each of the herbs effectiveness by a factor of 10. EZ PAIN RELIEF is a penetration natural product from blended herbs that has been found to provide safe, relief to various areas of pain on the human body affected by PHN.

• Vital Remedy (available on this web site) Vital Remedy is a field tested FORMULA and has proven very effective for Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel, Back Pain, Fibromyalgia, among other ailments. Recently we have found that it is also effective for milder cases of PHN. It is applied topically to the area of discomfort. It is a penetration natural product from blended herbs that has been found to provide safe, relief to various areas of pain on the human body affected by PHN.

• M E N A S T I L ( available on this web site) is for severe PHN pain. Proven effective for Endometriosis, women have tried it for PHN and found it to be highly effective as a pain relief agent. It is a topical treatment that acts to penetrate the skin and restore blood and oxygen to the affected area of the body, essentially cutting off the pain message through the nerves on and under the skin to the brain. You will usually experience a slight tingling sensation when the solution is first applied, but this sensation quickly subsides. It may take up to 15 minutes for you to experience the full pain relief effect of M E N A S T I L. Apply a heat pad and it will take up to 5 minutes.The calendula penetrating oil made from Marigold seeds is non abrasive and non allergic in it's application.