Shingles advice

Does anyone know a good way do dull shingles pain? It's on my back. Doctors are retarded; they gave me codeine, which did literally nothing except make me sick. The disease itself is gone but the nerve damage is still there, and it hurts a lot right now because I am extremely stressed out. Already maxed out on 2000mg ibuprofen and 2500mg acetaminophen but that makes absolutely no difference.

(((Dizzy man))). Really sorry you have had to endure this.
Only reference I have on this is from what happened to a friend. Sounds like you've gotten past the blister phase, but there is a cream called Zostrix (sp?) that you should be able to get over the counter. Don't know if it would help you now, I'd ask the pharmacist.
Other thing that was prescribed when blisters became obvious was a dose pack of steroids. That helped with healing & pain. Seems like there was an antiviral med he took by mouth but can't be sure on that one. Best I can remember nothing he took for pain worked either.

Don't know if this helped, wish you the best.

I had acupuncture treatments, 3/wk for 2wks, then tapering for 2 more wks, maybe 3. Acupuncture is the best treatment for pain I've ever had, including Vicodin, which often is not in fact helpful for me.

These drugs may not mix well with others you are on. Please review all medications with with your medical doctor.

Roadie gave best advice. Do not mix any meds without your docs approval!!!
Should have noted that in my post...

Never tried acupuncture, always wanted to, never had the money.

Feel better soon.

Thanks everyone. I haven't had acupuncture, sounds good. Mixing acetaminophen and ibuprofen is OK, I asked my mom first and she's a pharmacist. For everyone else reading that has neuropathic pain, I think the most effective thing I've used was a lidocaine patch. It requires a prescription, I was never prescribed but my mom pulled some strings and got a couple patches. Wasn't perfect, but there were no side effects and nothing touched my pain-area because it covered it up. Unfortunately the doctors in this area are frustrating and I can't get prescribed anything

Ouchie and so sorry you have this. I heard its extremely painful. I did some research and found Zostrix's active ingredient, capsaicin is good for this pain. You can but this over the counter - its a cream. If the shingles is active off course you wouldn't use it. I hope you're not taking anti inflammatory with the acetaminophen because I read they cancel each other out. Also acetaminophen if taken for too long can cause liver damage.

If the Zostrix doesn't work then ask your doctor - there maybe something else to relieve the pain. If you do use the Zostrix, wash your hands - its made from hot pepper and this will hurt like crazy if you rub your eyes...then you'll have eye pain and shingles pain lol.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/48...trix-shingles/

I haven't tried Zostrix. Sounds good though. And Acetaminophen and ibuprofen don't cancel each other out. Fun fact, capsaicin is actually the chemical that makes peppers hot