I called my PCP today due to painful shingles. They sent an order for Amitriptilyne. Do I want to take this drug? It's an antidepressant.
I really think I can get through with extra strength tylenol. I only called because the weekend is coming up and the pain around my ribcage is pretty uncomfortable, but I have had worse pain. The sores are drying up and that's not the area that hurts.
Your thoughts, anyone?
Nancy
Amitriptilyne for shingles
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Hi Nancy,
Mom had a rough case of shingles. They gave her oral Valtrax and she did not respond to it then they gave her IV Valtrax during several days in the hospital. Mom is celiac and does not seem to absorb oral meds well. I don't think they ever gave her anything for the pain.
I would be inclined to start with the extra strength tylenol.
Shingles are contagious for those who have not had chicken pox. Two of Mom's middle aged aids got chicken pox from Mom when Mom had shingles.
Keep a check on your eye area. Mom got a shingle in her eye and had to see eye physician.
Mom had a rough case of shingles. They gave her oral Valtrax and she did not respond to it then they gave her IV Valtrax during several days in the hospital. Mom is celiac and does not seem to absorb oral meds well. I don't think they ever gave her anything for the pain.
I would be inclined to start with the extra strength tylenol.
Shingles are contagious for those who have not had chicken pox. Two of Mom's middle aged aids got chicken pox from Mom when Mom had shingles.
Keep a check on your eye area. Mom got a shingle in her eye and had to see eye physician.
Thank you, Brandy. I am on Valacyclovir (antiviral med.). I am using a homeopathic gel like topical cream. Also, lots of L-Lysine as it's the same virus. The shingles are on my thigh, but have pain around my ribcage. It was in my lower back and hip, but that seems to have subsided. I only called today because I wanted to make sure this was normal for shingles (the pain elsewhere) and when they called back they told me that a prescription was called in. Well, so far I don't even have it. It has not been approved yet by my insurance company, so I will just continue to take the tylenol.
I know my daughter took amitriptilyne years ago because of headaches and she couldn't sleep. She became addicted to it and had a hard time getting off of it. I ran that by the nurse who called and she said it was not addictive.
Nancy
I know my daughter took amitriptilyne years ago because of headaches and she couldn't sleep. She became addicted to it and had a hard time getting off of it. I ran that by the nurse who called and she said it was not addictive.
Nancy
https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/04 ... gles-pain/
Not sure if this works. You apply the listerine to the skin.
Not sure if this works. You apply the listerine to the skin.
Nancy,
If the daily dose of amitriptyline is only 10 or 15 mg, it's not addictive. Some members use that dose to regulate motility. It can be helpful for people who have slow motility. But if the dose is around 75 to 100 mg or more (which is the dose when it's used an an antidepressant), it can become very addictive if you use it very long. We have one or two members who are addicted to amitriptyline and have tried to quit taking it more than once and failed. Apparently the side effects are severe for some people when they try to stop taking it.
Tex
If the daily dose of amitriptyline is only 10 or 15 mg, it's not addictive. Some members use that dose to regulate motility. It can be helpful for people who have slow motility. But if the dose is around 75 to 100 mg or more (which is the dose when it's used an an antidepressant), it can become very addictive if you use it very long. We have one or two members who are addicted to amitriptyline and have tried to quit taking it more than once and failed. Apparently the side effects are severe for some people when they try to stop taking it.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you so much Tex. That is what I needed to know. Now, I can make a better decision.
Brandy, thanks for the info. on Listerine. My rash is not painful, it's all the other areas that are.
I don't get on here as much as I use to, but when I do, I can always count on helpful information.
Again, thank you.
Nancy
Brandy, thanks for the info. on Listerine. My rash is not painful, it's all the other areas that are.
I don't get on here as much as I use to, but when I do, I can always count on helpful information.
Again, thank you.
Nancy
Nancy,
Is the pain you're having muscle pain or an electrical type of shooting nerve pain? I had the severe muscle pain before my rash but the nerve pain during , until it was over.....gabepentin helped that. They did give me 8 Vicodin Which didn't last to long....when I asked for more they said no and upped the gabepentin from 1 to 3 pills at a time.
If the Tylenol helps, I'd stick with that....sounds like you might be on the up swing if it's drying up already.
Good luck!
Lou Ann
Is the pain you're having muscle pain or an electrical type of shooting nerve pain? I had the severe muscle pain before my rash but the nerve pain during , until it was over.....gabepentin helped that. They did give me 8 Vicodin Which didn't last to long....when I asked for more they said no and upped the gabepentin from 1 to 3 pills at a time.
If the Tylenol helps, I'd stick with that....sounds like you might be on the up swing if it's drying up already.
Good luck!
Lou Ann
The pain seemed like muscle pain before the breakout, and still some muscle and some nerve. Today it is a little better. I never did get the prescription. The doctor's office called it in late Friday, the pharmacy could not fill it because they they more info. from the doctor. I just put a call into the doctor who called the pharmacy, but the insurance company needs more information before they can fill it. I asked the doctor if it had anything to do with the type of drug, she said no, it has something to do with my age. ??????
Is gabepentin pretty much the same as amitriptilyne?
So, I guess I stick with tylenol.
Nancy
Is gabepentin pretty much the same as amitriptilyne?
So, I guess I stick with tylenol.
Nancy