Shingles pain lingers after initial outbreak

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 74-year-old male. I have suffered with shingles for a year and a half.

They were located on my face and head. The tissue over my left eye was affected, as well as the bridge of my nose. I have gone to my eye specialist as well as my family doctor.

I have tried all kinds of eyedrops, cortisone ointment, maximum doses of vitamin B and anything recommended to me, all with no results.

I still have pain and itching over my left eye that drives me batty! I’m at my wits’ end.

If you have any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Reader: About 10 percent of patients with herpes zoster (shingles) develop chronic pain resulting from a herpes infection of a nerve or group of nerves. Treatment for this is challenging, but pain control is the paramount goal.

You may need narcotics for this purpose. First, see a neurologist for advice.

Dear Dr. Gott: I am 54 years old. I took Zocor for a couple of years.

I was probably 48 at the time. I complained to my family doctor about muscle weakness. (I could hardly walk up a flight of stairs.)

I asked if it could be the Zocor, and he said no, it was more likely arthritis. He told me to stay on the medication, which I did until I couldn’t get out of a chair after sitting about 20 minutes.

I went off the Zocor myself, without consulting my doctor. After about two weeks, the pain stopped, but I still had muscle weakness.

I consulted an arthritis specialist. After X-rays, she decided I definitely do not have arthritis.

It has been quite a few years now, and whenever I stand for any period of time, I get severe lower back (or across-the-hip) pain. When I exercise, my muscles feel weak and just hurt.

I can only assume the muscle weakness is a result of the Zocor.

Has there been damage done to my muscles from the Zocor? Is this damage reversible, or is it permanent? What can I do?

Dear Reader: Muscle damage can result from statin drugs (including Zocor) in a small percentage of patients. The side effect may be permanent.

I cannot comment on your experience because I am not familiar with your health status, but I agree that you should not be taking Zocor.

I encourage you to undergo physical therapy. Ask your physician to refer you to a therapist.

After several weeks of rehab, you may be surprised at your progress.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Understanding Cholesterol.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.