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I lost all of my other info I typed before, so hopefully this works out this time. I'm going to save it to notepad this time just in case.
So where to begin. First let me say, I am 34 years old and have been fairly healthy up until these last several years.
I had shingles at the end of last year (2007). I was sick for over a month and when the actual rash dissipated, I had extreme pain left behind. I was later diagnosed with post-herpetic neuralgia in Huntsville, AL, where I'm originally from. I'm not living in Juneau, Alaska. So my doc in Huntsville had me on (this is if I remember correctly)Lyrica and Dilaudid (the dilaudid as needed). This was probably the most effective care I've had since getting this diagnosis. Well, I came to Juneau and didn't know any docs in town, so I originally went to an urgent care center. They proceeded to put me on gabapentin 600 mg three times a day, which is not helping at all. Doc also put me on Vicodin 5 mg, but insisted I only take one pain pill a day. I told him I felt that was pretty outrageous and he must have never experienced any kind of nerve pain because 5 mg of hydrocodone just doesn't do the trick. But he doesn't want to listen to me. So, I'm dealing with this major, almost debilitating pain on a daily basis. Not fun!!
So next thing you know, my ankles start hurting for no apparent reason and within about 10 minutes they were swollen up to the size of grapefruits (and by the way I have pictures of my last event of swollen feet and ankles, as well as when I had the shingles. I highly doubt anyone wants to see any of this, but if you are interested, I would be happy to post them). I also am unable to sit Indian Style for more than 5 minutes without pain setting it, and when I stretch them out, I get the most excruciating pain in my thighs that I have ever felt. It does go away in about 10-15 seconds though, but dang does it hurt while it's happening. By this time, I had found a non-urgent care doc who seems fairly interested in my issues. Oh and I must add that this feet swelling started long before taking the gabapentin and all of my weight gain, which I will get to next.
About 4-5 years ago, I had to have a full hysterectomy for what was thought to be pre-cancerous lesions. My OB.GYN surgical oncologist refused to put me on any kind of hormones at the time (still really don't understand why since these lesions where benign at the time and only had a chance of turning to cancer). So in that first month after the hysto, I gained about 50 lbs. and then gained about 50-60 more lbs. within the next 6-8 months. Of course I'm not doctor, but the lack of hormones certainly sounds like a good indicator for this. By the way, I had never weighed over 130 lbs. my entire life.
There are a lot more issues that may be too extensive to get into at this point, but I would love to talk to someone about it who may have some understanding. There's this one sort of new weird symptom that has appeared where certain noises make me want to stab my ears out, weird noises like high-pitched ones that no one else heres and then loud noises just startle me.
On a side note as well, I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I do talk Zoloft and Xanax, which both seem to help. But I'm hoping maybe some hormone replacement can help some of this.
As far as the postherpetic neuralgia, does anyone have any suggesions. I think I've pretty much listed what I am taking now for it and what I have taken in the past, none of which have been very effective.
Any input regarding any of this craziness would be greatly appreciated. I feel very alone. I'm 3000 miles from home and my only "family" are my co-workers, and most people understand how that goes. Co-workers don't have that same conditional love that your family has.
Buy anyway, thanks for taking time to read all my ramblings. I'm really hoping for some good feedback and/or suggestions. It would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance!
Brenda M.
Posts: 3 | Location: Juneau, AK | Registered: 06-05-2008
I'm glad you were able to create another post to help us learn a bit more about your ailments. It really helps so we can talk to you more and try to help you.
It sounds like you have several different symptoms that may be related and others not so much, but could be a completely additional set of symptoms of another illness.
Your weight gain issues could be related to your hystorectomy (as you said) but depending on how long you were on the Lyrica, cuz it can create very rapid & high weight gain just in the first month or two, so that's just a thought, but I'm not sure how long you were on it. The Post Herpetic Neuralgia is very common after a bout of shingles and many ohters suffer for the rest of their lives with nerve pain & problems. My elderly lady friend had them last winter and for some reason I'm thinking that the hearing sensitivity may also be a during & post symtom too.
I have the same hearing sensitivity too, but mine is caused from my Fibromyalgia and is another one of the endless line of symptoms. My little poodle has a shrill bark and when she barks, I feel like someone is jabbing a screwdriver through my ear. Or when My husband is in the kitchen and clanging pots & pans, really pushes it for me too. A sudden loud noise like a door being slammed can startle me and make me just cringe too. All kinds of noises are really annoying for me.
There are all kinds of articles and information right here on Health central, all you have to do is search in the search box at the top of the page and it will bring up all kinds of info on each symptom or you can try the body map image and go through your symptoms and come up with more info.
Good to see you again this am. I hope you get some more replys and find information or support or both. Take Care New Friend Betty
Posts: 668 | Location: Home in Washington State | Registered: 11-07-2007
Thank you Betty for your kind reply. You know I'm in Alaska....very far away from home. So any kind of support I can get is greatly appreciated. I will keep researching and keep pressing the doctors, but right now I'm living a pretty uncomfortable life. One of the nurse practitioners I met here in AK was just so rude and made me want to avoid doctor's offices altogether, so....we'll see. I see my regular NP next week. Again, thanks for your kind reply. Take care.
Posts: 3 | Location: Juneau, AK | Registered: 06-05-2008
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