Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus) - Treatment for Postherpetic Neuralgia

Alternative Remedies

Many people with chronic pain, such as those with PHN, turn to alternative treatments for relief. It should be noted that few have been rigorously tested and some can be harmful. Among those tried for PHN include the following:

Hypnosis. There are some reports that hypnosis may be useful for alleviating pain.
Topical use of diluted apple cider vinegar. (No proof that this is effective at all.)
Acupuncture. Although acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular for a number of painful conditions, one study reported that it offered no benefits for postherpetic neuralgia.
Colostrum, a pre-milk fluid produced by mammals. This fluid contains transfer factor, a substance that carries immune factors and is being studied for viral disease.
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5). (No proof of effectiveness.)

Warnings on Alternative and So-Called Natural Remedies

Alternative or natural remedies are not regulated and their quality is not publicly controlled. In addition, any substance that can affect the body's chemistry can, like any drug, produce side effects that may be harmful. There have been a number of reported cases of serious and even lethal side effects from herbal products. In addition, some so-called natural remedies were found to contain standard prescription medication. Most problems reported occur in herbal remedies imported from Asia. Even if studies report positive benefits, most, to date, are very small. In addition, the substances used in such studies are, in most cases, not what are being marketed to the public.

The following website is building a database of natural remedy brands that it tests and rates. Not all are yet available (www.consumerlab.com).

The Food and Drug Administration has a program called MEDWATCH for people to report adverse reactions to untested substances, such as herbal remedies and vitamins (800-332-1088).

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Procedures Used for PHN

Intrathecal Corticosteroid Injections. Intrathecal administration is injection of medication within the dura mater (the tough membrane surrounding the spinal cord). Some studies have reported that intrathecal injections of corticosteroids may relieve persistent PHN. According to a 2000 study, they are particularly beneficial in combination with the anesthetic lidocaine. In the study, more than 90% of PHN patients reported good to excellent pain relief for up to two years. Extreme sensitivity to touch (allodynia) was reduced by more than 70%. The procedure is invasive, however, and poses a risk for serious complications. Experts recommend this only as a last option.

Techniques to Block Pain. Certain surgical techniques in the brain or spinal cord have been used to block nerve centers associated with postherpetic neuralgia. These methods carry risk for permanent damage, however, and should be used only as a last resort when all other methods have failed and the pain is intolerable.