Postherpetic neuralgia
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What is postherpetic neuralgia?
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful condition affecting the nerve fibers and skin resulting from the activation of the latent varicella-zoster (shingles), the virus that causes chicken pox. Following the healing of the rashes and blisters, the pain sometimes persists.
Common symptoms reported by people with postherpetic neuralgia
Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
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Treatments taken by people with postherpetic neuralgia
Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Data from patients with postherpetic neuralgia, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Compare treatments taken by people with postherpetic neuralgia
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Perceived effectiveness
for postherpetic neuralgia (3 evaluations)
Side effects
brain fog
memory problems
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
postherpetic neuralgia
(2)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (2 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
pain
(2)
postherpetic neuralgia
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for postherpetic neuralgia (2 evaluations)
Side effects
emotional lability
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
pain
(1)
postherpetic neuralgia
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
pain
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
postherpetic neuralgia
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
fatigue
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
depressed mood
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (1 evaluation)
Side effects
increased anxiety
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
depressed mood
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
depressed mood
(1)
Perceived effectiveness
for postherpetic neuralgia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
burning sensation in skin
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
postherpetic neuralgia
(1)
- Major
- Moderate
- Slight
- None
- Can't tell
- Severe
- Moderate
- Mild
- None
Data from patients with postherpetic neuralgia, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Who has postherpetic neuralgia on PatientsLikeMe?
- 183 patients have this condition
- 4 new patients joined this month
- 105 say postherpetic neuralgia is their primary condition
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 0 | |
| 20s | 6 | |
| 30s | 15 | |
| 40s | 22 | |
| 50s | 35 | |
| 60s | 47 | |
| 70+ | 39 |
| Age at first symptom | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 years | 3 | |
| 20-29 years | 8 | |
| 30-39 years | 13 | |
| 40-49 years | 16 | |
| 50-59 years | 14 | |
| 60-69 years | 9 | |
| 70+ years | 4 |
Distribution of sex
| Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 45 | |
| Female | 125 |
| Diagnosis status | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed | 85 | |
| Not Diagnosed | 4 |
These charts show data from postherpetic neuralgia patients who have completed their condition history
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