OT the previous shingles discussions

[Guest guest]

I know we have had a couple of shingles discussion. I found a newer

article about Shingles and the available treatments.

http://www.creators.com/lifestyle_show.cfm?columnsName=rmc

In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the

first vaccine to prevent shingles for adults age 60 and older.

Clinical trials showed that use of the vaccine reduced the risk of

developing shingles by half, and decreased the likelihood of

developing post-herpetic neuralgia by two-thirds.

While the vaccine may help prevent shingles and post-herpetic

neuralgia, it isn't considered to be a treatment for either condition.

Patients with active cases of shingles shouldn't be vaccinated until

their symptoms have resolved.

In the meantime, prescription antiviral medications can help reduce

the severity of shingles, as well as the likelihood of developing

post-herpetic neuralgia. Although these drugs were previously believed

to work best when started within 72 hours of developing symptoms, new

evidence reveals that they can be beneficial even when taken later in

the course of the illness.

In addition to antiviral drugs, prescription pain medications are an

important part of the medical management of shingles. Recent research

suggests that aggressive pain control, started early in the treatment

period, can reduce the likelihood that patients will develop

post-herpetic neuralgia.

" When pain persists for a long period of time, the nervous system

essentially re-wires itself, " explained Argoff. " It not only forgets

how to turn off pain signals, it can actually become more efficient at

producing the sensation of pain. "

In the past, many patients turned to over-the-counter remedies or

prescription narcotics for relief, with varying results. In 2004, a

new drug called Lyrica received FDA approval for the treatment of

post-herpetic neuralgia.

" One way that Lyrica works is by limiting the excitability of injured

nerve cells, " Argoff said. " This action helps produce pain relief. "

In clinical studies of patients with post-herpetic neuralgia,

individuals taking the drug experienced significant reductions in pain

as early as a week after beginning treatment. Over a period of several

weeks, up to half of patients taking the highest approved dose

reported at least a 50 percent reduction in pain.

" Patients with post-herpetic neuralgia shouldn't feel that they have

to suffer, " said Argoff. " Today, there are more ways to treat chronic

pain than ever before. "