PHN without shingles rash - Shingles Message Board

trinky · 09-17-2007, 07:01 AM

I have excruciatingly painful electric-shock pains in my left side. I've been diagnosed with Post-herpetic Neuralgia, but now my neuro is questioning that and sending me to a peripheral nerve disorder doctor. I have never had a visible outbreak of shingles in my life. I wrote a post on 9-9-07 (access it by searching "lightning strikes"), many people have read it but no one has related and responded. I am so discouraged and feel so alone. Even my neuro says he has no other patients who present like this. I am on a steroid, Neurontin, and Valtrex. I'm in my sixth week this time, and although better than my third week (intolerable strikes of pain) the zaps are still with me and I remain as motionless as possible to avoid triggering them. I'm 65. This has come and gone for eight years and the sieges are getting closer together. I'm desperate. Does anyone else have PHN without rash? Electric-shock pains in your ribs? Please let me know if you have any insight? Thanks so much. Trinky

feelbad · 09-17-2007, 09:13 AM

just wondering if you have ever had an MRI done on your thorasic or c spine areas(depending on just where those zaps are at in correlation to the dermatome they go to)?sometimes those types of zaps can actually be stemming from a spinal issue that is affecting the nerve in that particular dermatome.since you have never actually had the little shingle blisters appear,this would be another possibility worth checking out.just a thought for ya.marcia

trinky · 09-18-2007, 03:21 AM

Thanks for responding, Marcia. I had an MRI eight years ago with my first round of these lightning strikes. Had another two years ago with recurrence. I don't know the specific area of spine checked but it must have been thorough because it took several hours to do. Those MRIs didn't reveal anything to lead away from the PRN diagnosis, I guess. Now that it appears that this is going to be a more chronic condition I am more tuned in and invested in my treatment, especially since a clear diagnosis is difficult to get. I've always been pretty healthy and was naive going into this. I'll be more involved from now on, to be sure, and better prepared for my 9-27 consult with the new neurologist.
Your surgical history is pretty daunting, Marcia. You have my best wishes and thanks for writing. Trinky

kdel · 09-18-2007, 04:50 AM

Trinky, Did they also do an mri of your brain? I don't know if you have any other symptoms but electric shock like symptoms are also symptom of ms.
I have post herpetic neuralgia also but had a very obvious shingles rash however, I have a great aunt who also had shingles and never noticed the rash. It was there (the doctor saw it) but she never noticed it. from what I understand some people are very bothered by the rash itself but others not and if it's in a spot where you wouldn't normaly see like on your back,it's possible you had it but just didn't notice? I have also heard of internal shingles but have no idea how they figure that one out. I am sorry for your pain,I do know how bad it can be. I hope you find some help soon.

trinky · 09-18-2007, 08:11 AM

No, I've not had a brain MRI and have not considered MS. Other than the painful lightning strikes and numbness in the left arm and hand when the strikes are at their worst, I don't have other symptoms. Of course, I am fatigued but attribute that to the physical and mental effects of the pain. I appreciate your raising these other possibilities, however, and will mention them during my 9-27 neuro consult. Thanks for your response and best wishes to you. Trinky