Gulf Coast Pain
Pain and Procedure Info
For Vaccination of Adults Age 50 and Older
As a pain
management physician for over 13 years, treating zoster
(shingles) and post
herpetic neuralgia present many challenges in management.
More than 90% of US adults have had chicken pox and thus are at risk
There is no way to predict when the varicella zoster virus will
reactivate or who will
The incidence and severity of zoster increases with age. 50%
of people living to age 85
will develop zoster.
Patients diagnosed with zoster or post herpetic neuralgia may
experience debilitating nerve
pain and serious complications including infection, hearing
loss, and visual damage. While
post herpetic neuralgia may resolve over time, some patients are
refractory to all treatments.
The pain can occur before, during, and after the rash. Post herpetic
neuralgia pain is described
as burning, throbbing, stabbing, shooting, and or sharp pain.
Distressing and debilitating pain
can be caused even by the slightest touch.
45% report that they
experience pain every day
42% report that zoster-associated pain was horrible and excruciating
Post herpetic neuralgia is one of the leading causes of
suicide in the elderly.
Zostavax (shingles vaccine) is indicated for prevention of
herpes zoster in individuals 60 years
of age and older.
Help for Shingles is Here!
Zostavax helps make prevention of zoster possible. For that
reason, I am excited to offer
the Zostavax vaccine to patients. If you or a loved one is over the
age of 50, a single dose
of shingles vaccine is indicated for the prevention of zoster.
Help eradicate this excruciating and debilitating pain by informing
your friends and family
of this exciting new treatment. We are offering the vaccine to
individuals 50 and over for
$225.00. A receipt will be provided to submit to your insurance
company for possible
What is a Vaccine Shingles?
A vaccine for shingles was licensed in
2006. In clinical trails, the vaccine prevented shingles
in about half of people 60 years of age and older. It can also
reduce the pain associated with
A single dose of shingles vaccine is indicated for adults 50 years
of age and older.
What do I need to know about shingles and the virus that causes
Shingles is a rash that is usually on one side of the body. The
rash begins as a cluster of small
red spots that often blister.
The Shingles rash can be painful.
Shingles rash usually last up to
30 days, and for most people the pain associated with the rash
lessens, as it heals. However,
for some people, after the rash heals, Shingles may lead to pain
that can last for months or
even years (a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN).
The rash can be painful.People who have problems with their immune system may have a greater
risk of getting more
widespread rashes and longer-lasting pain.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a
person has had
chickenpox, the virus can live, but remain inactive, in one or more
nerve roots in your body
for many years. For reasons that are not fully understood, the virus
may become active again.
Age and problems with the immune system may increase your risk of
What are the warning signs of shingles?
At first, the virus multiplies in nerve roots near the spine, injuring or
killing cells. It then travels
down sensory nerves to the skin's surface, erupting in a rash of
blisters that looks like chicken
pox. The resulting pain, itching, or tingling may occur before or
after the rash appears.
Key Facts about Shingles
Shingles, also called herpes zoster
(HZ), can be a painful disease that can affect anyone
who has had chickenpox.
It can start at any time, without warning.
The first signs of Shingles are often felt and may not be seen.
These can include: itching,
tingling and burning. A few days later a rash of fluid-filled
blisters appears, usually on one side
of the body or face.
Sometimes the pain before the rash appears can be confused with
other conditions and this
can make Shingles difficult to diagnose early on.
What Is Long-Term Pain After Shingles?
For most people the pain associated with the Shingles rash
lessens as it heals. However,
for some people after the rash heals, Shingles may lead to long-term
nerve pain that can last
for months or even years called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN.
The pain can range from tenderness, burning, or throbbing to pain
that is stabbing or shooting.
The pain can be mild, moderate, or severe.
The older you get, the more you are at risk for long-term nerve
pain. Long-term nerve pain
hurts more and lasts longer in older adults.
You can help prevent shingles and post herpetic neuralgia!
Call Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O.
schedule your vaccine appointment today!