Ventura Center

Relief for Shingles Pain Monday, June 27, 2011 12:08 PM Question: Do you have any suggestions for minimizing pain from shingles? Dr. Blaylock's Answer: Post-herpetic neuralgia (pain caused by shingles episodes) is one of the worst pains one can experience. Newer research has shown that the chronic pain is secondary to immunoexcitotoxicity within the area of the spinal cord supplied by the involved nerve. In one study, the antibiotic minocycline had great success because it reduces microglial activation the source of the immunoexcitotoxicity. St. Johns wort, which also reduces glutamate excitotoxicity, is helpful, too, as is L-theonine. Other useful treatments include curcumin, quercetin (500 mg of each mixed with a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil and taken three times a day), hesperidin, magnesium, vitamin K, and green tea extract (high in EGCG, a potent antioxidant). One Korean anesthesiologist has used a nerve block containing magnesium with great success. To see who would respond best, intravenous magnesium in large doses was tried first. Those who responded best to that treatment also responded best to the nerve block. Oral magnesium supplements also reduce the pain level. Silymarin, by reducing microglial activation, should also reduce the pain. The dose is 400 mg twice a day. To promote nerve repair, one will need high-dose methylcobalamin (10,000 mcg a day), folate, vitamin B6, thiamine, and high-dose riboflavin-5-phosphate (100 mg three times a day). Carnosine and acetyl-L-carnitine promote nerve repair and reduce inflammation as well, especially if taken with R-lipoic acid.