The initial outbreak of shingles I had was accompanied by viral meningitis which was diagnosed vy a spinal draw and brain scan. It's now been 17 months that i have been challenged with PHN in mid-section area for which I have tried Cymbalta, Lyrica, Vicodin, Tramadol, Gabapentin, acupuncture, Indigo bio-feedback, neural therapy (injections of a procaine-like substance into scars to energetically create anew nerve path), three different procedures to try & identify the nerve in the spine causing the issue. Nothing seems to help, but I must say that if I compare the pain to that of a year ago, it has diminished somewhat - I am grateful for any small improvements! The chronic pain is beginning to wear me down and I feel horribly depressed. Thus, am considering the marijuana. Would appreciate any input. Thanks
Postherpetic Neuralgia - Medicinal Marijuana effective for PHN pain?
Question posted by TangoAnn on 1 July 2012
Last updated on 2 December 2017
6 Answers
I have tried both cbd which I chose the vape pen, which does reduce the pain, and does not make you high. I have also used Marijuana in different forms, and that helps as well, at least you forget about the pain! I also use a topical Marijuana infused butter on my terribly itchy, burning face and lips, and that helps as well.
I am currently taking Gabapentin as well, but as have only been on a month doesn't seem like it's helping at all. Frustrating to say the least.
TangoAnn:
I know this is an old post, and I hope you get it. I have a friend who is 80 and has a lot of pain. I think she's tried everything to. We live in CA with legal medical cannabis. She's tried THC salves, (but hurt to put on) , drops of cannabis oil and did not find relief. But, I see so many people being helped with cannabis, I'm sure it would help take the edge off if nothing else. Put you in a better mood. Let me know what's worked for you. Hope you're getting it under control.
Linda
what will the cannabis oil do, is it going to be a temp relief from the pain? or able to heal the pain???
Appreciate your sharing!
Well I have had PHN. For 2 and a half years on the right side of face from ramsy hunt..caused by the shingles virus..unbelievable pain and inflamation!!! Want to every dr. I could find..take to long to mention..no help..i had full paralysis on the right side of my face..i am 90 % healed..but still have so much inflamation and stiffness and pain..got some AND oil..canibis without the thc..does not make u high but all the medisional qualities of Marianna. All I can say is research and make sure u r getting quality..it works! Miraculous! Takes pain down almost completely, like 75 %!!! I take a salve I put on and gently rub in, and drops just a few internally, and on face..dont take to much as it will make u tired if u do..helps with the depression also..just mellows u out without the high so your body can heal..got mine from sisters of th valley..try it helps tremendously. Heals from within, calms the affected nerves down..takes down inflmation..God bless everyone!! Hope I helped!
CBD. OIL WORKS 3000.mil. strong but works!!!
I recently been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt on the right side of face. Am on Gabapentin, but thinking not helping much have recently tried cbd vape pen and topical thc infused butter for my itchy burning face, and that has helped as well. Lucky to live in a state that allows medical Marijuana, but it is expensive and not covered by insurance!
I have phn in my right ulnar nerve. Been 13 yrs. now. I take hydrocodone and ultram. I switch off every two weeks. It keeps me sane, and mostly functional. I got shingles when I was 55 so I retired. I don`t use marijuana, but I did when I was in Vietnam. I don`t know if it could help with the pain, but I`m quite sure it could help the inevitable depression. The longer I have it, the better I get with coping. Personally, distractions are everything to me. My Grandkids, my hobbies, TV, the Internet, frequently all at the same time. Keep busy!!! When you get in a funk, that`s when it all goes to hell. I think marijuana could help a lot in getting out of those holes of self-pity. Sleeping is the biggest problem for me, because there are no distractions when you`re lying in bed. Marijuana may help with that. I don`t know, but I am suddenly more interested in checking it out. My best advice? Don`t fight it. Don`t think about it. Don`t talk about it.
Absolutely, don`t dwell on it! Ignore it. It`s just part of the new you. The longer you have it, the more normal it becomes. Take your pills at the same times every day. Don`t think, "well, do I really need to take this pill now, or can I wait a while?" Also, don`t think about maybe needing to take the pill a little earlier. All thoughts like that do is make you think about it. It`s a vicious circle. I also had a 2nd bout with shingles. This time in my left ulnar nerve. It was much milder, and miraculously, the pain went away in about 2 or 3 weeks. One of the top ten happiest moments of my life! I hope what I`ve said here might help somebody new to phn. Your world has changed, but you can get on with your life. Vietnam taught me that you really can get used to anything if you have no other choice. Marijuana just might help sometimes, but make sure it`s only sometimes.
I've had phn for almost 3 years I got shingles when I was 31 and 7 months pregnant . I suffer greatly for the the worse part is its under my breast and armpit so it is constantly rubbing against something. I don't even like to leave my house because of the pain when I want my bra . I have been on oxycodone 15 and Lyrica I use the Lidoderm patches as well also muscle relaxers for the spasms . I asked about medical thc and my doctor says it conflicts with the pain contract I'm on . Even tho I live in Arizona were it is legal . I'm afraid to try and lose access to my meds. If let's say it doesn't work . Has anyone had any luck with Marijuana ?
I have only had PHN for almost a month now, but it has been the worst pain I've had except natural childbirth, except that pain only lasted 18hours!
Before this, I was an extremely social, physically active person (tennis, pickleball, hiking, etc) and now I find myself housebound since this began. I have Ramsay Hunt Syndrome affected my 7th cranial nerve.
I am on 1800mg daily of Gabapentin for a few days now(began with 700).
So far, I'm not getting much relief.
Since the state I live in has medical Marijuana, and so I just started using the cbd vape pen. I have only used it for about a week now, and do find relief from it. It's not 100%, but I'll take it as a win. I also use topical with the thc in it for my burning, itching pain on my face and lips which has really worked.
I should not complain, as I have read so many heartbreaking stories of people suffering for years with no end in sight. I feel for their plight.
I have had PHN for 8 years. What works for me is 2-3 motrin and icy hot right on the area. I have it on my right shoulder blade. I have never tried any other drugs for it, don't really like even taking motrin. But when the pain gets unbearable, I take it. Will look into medical marijuana, if it gets legalized, or we move to a state that it is.
TangoAnn, I say go for it if you can get it ! I have had PHN for 4 years, tried everything and nothing works... that's a lot of pain. I use the hydrocodone as well, when I'm not working. Have you tried Horizant? I'm suppose to start it this Thursday, something new used for restless leg and PHN.Ice packs do give some temporary relief... hang in there.
If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal, and it certainly seems you've tried everything else under the sun for your pain, I give trying it a big thumbs up. I know many people it has helped, and you might feel a bit more laid back.
Just sayin',
Sweet Hippie
Either that or some schedule II narcotics, like hydrocodone. I don't have any idea why a compassionate doc would make you suffer for this long. I think that move, or non move, is and was cruel.
Unless it was your request.
Hippie
@imariani55: thanks for your post. Fortunately I am traveling thru UT, CA & OR this summer and will check into the medicinal marijuana thing; there's such conflicting information. Have also tried the hydrocodone, in fact still use it when I get in the "I don't care what it's doing to my liver" state of mind. Also am on an immune-suppressing drug, Imuran (azathioprine) along with Plaquenil, so have to have liver enzymes checked every three months. Need to stay away from the Tylenol. Need to avoid the occasional glass of wine . . .
It's so discouraging to hear about people that are still dealing with the PHN issue after years -
Tango Ann, I am going through the same thing you are. I have PHN and am on Cellcept Plaquenel and asteroids. So the Shingle was really an added bonus to everything I am going through. It is disheartening to read all the posts and to learn that there is really no cure to this and to have the pain for life. I am wondering why there is no medication to repair the damaged nerves. Maybe there are not that many people that suffer from this and therefore not worth the effort and time to spend on a cure for PHN.
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meningitis, pain, postherpetic neuralgia, marijuana
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