Could Your Stubborn Lower Back Pain Actually Be an SI Joint Problem?
Most adults have back pain at some point, and often, the reason for it is unknown. One cause that you may not recognize is related to the sacroiliac, or SI, joint.
When Shingles Pain Won’t Go Away: Finding Relief from Postherpetic Neuralgia
If you've recently had shingles, you know how painful the rash can be. But what happens when the rash clears up and the burning, shooting pain remains? At Apex Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr. David Ezeanolue, and our team of 10 medical providers specialize in helping patients find lasting relief. We provide comprehensive pain management services across our three Las Vegas locations to help you reclaim your quality of life.
When shingles pain persists for months after the skin heals, it's known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). This condition occurs when the varicella-zoster virus damages your nerve fibers during the initial outbreak. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, 2023), about 10% to 15% of people who get shingles will develop postherpetic neuralgia, which is defined as pain that lasts for more than 90 days after the rash disappears.
What are the risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia?
Certain factors make you much more likely to develop chronic nerve pain after a shingles outbreak, including the severity of your initial rash and your overall health. The intensity of your early shingles symptoms is one of the strongest predictors of whether you'll develop PHN.
Research published in PubMed Central (PMC, 2025) shows that patients with a severe acute rash have a 2.69-fold increased risk of transitioning to chronic pain, while those with severe early pain have a 2.01-fold increased risk.
Additionally, underlying health conditions can make your nerves more vulnerable to lasting damage. For instance, people with Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing PHN because high blood sugar damages the delicate blood vessels that supply oxygen to your nerves. When shingles strikes these already-stressed nerves, they struggle to heal properly, leading to persistent, misfiring pain signals.
How do we treat persistent shingles pain?
We treat postherpetic neuralgia using a combination of advanced therapies designed to calm hyperactive nerves and reduce your daily discomfort. Because neuropathic pain doesn't respond well to standard over-the-counter pain relievers, we utilize targeted, evidence-based medical interventions.
As outlined by the Mayo Clinic (2026), effective treatments for post-herpetic neuralgia include:
- Gabapentinoids: Medications like gabapentin or pregabalin calm injured, hyper-reactive nerves by blocking specific calcium channels in your nervous system.
- Tricyclic antidepressants: Low doses of medications like nortriptyline help block pain signals in the spinal cord.
- Targeted topical therapies: Lidocaine 5% patches or high-concentration capsaicin patches can numb localized areas of skin to prevent clothing or light touch from triggering severe pain.
You don't have to live with the constant burning and sensitivity of postherpetic neuralgia. Our experienced pain management team is here to design a personalized treatment plan that targets your specific symptoms.
If you're ready to find relief and get back to doing what you love, please contact our team today to schedule a consultation at one of our Las Vegas, Nevada offices.
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