I realize that this will probably be impossible to answer, but I'm going to ask anyway...

My aunt, 76 yrs old, has developed a case of shingles so bad that she is unable to use her right hand (she's right handed). The doctors want to do a nerve block, but she doesn't want to do that. They gave her Codeine for a short time, which alleviated the pain, but won't give her any more because they are afraid she'll become addicted... instead they've given her darvasette (sp?) which only helps her sleep.

I told my mom I'd post here, since my rabbit seems to have benefitted so much from the homeopathic treatment.

My aunt is a very sweet person. She gives and gives and gives to the point of not having things for herself so her kids can have what they want. I hate hearing of her being in so much pain.

Thanks in advance!

There are quite a few remedies indicated for herpes zoster (shingles). It would be helpful to know more details, such as where, specifically, on her hand is it? Is there anything that aggravates or ameliorates it? Is it constant or does it occur at certain times of the day? Does she have any other illnesses or symptoms?

There are 4 or 5 main remedies that are used for shingles but as nrg suggests above we need a lot more details. Is there a local professional homeopath she could see? Why can't she use her hand? Shingles affects the nerves under the skin usually but I have not heard of it paralysing a part of the body although it can be very painful. Could you tell us what makes the pain worse and better e.g. water, heat, cold, going outside, movement etc.

Her hand is not paralyzed. It's just that the pain is so great that she is unable to use it. I will try to find out more information from her.

Thanks.

bunnymom,
Just want to offer encouragement. From what I understand this form of zoster responds very well with the right treatment but as the others stated provide more info.

I spoke with my aunt, and got the following information:

It started the Monday before Thanksgiving (November 20?) with pain in her back and across her right arm. She thought it might be bursitis or tendonitis. Then she got blisters scattered all over her body, concentrating on her right arm and palm of her right hand.

The blisters have since pretty much gone away, but she has itching and pain on the right side of her breast, in the middle of the top of her right arm, and in her right hand. Her 2 middle fingers feel numbness, and it hurts when she writes. It feels as if there is a tight band around the base of those fingers.

Cold makes it feel better (she shoveled her walk and it didn't bother her until she came in). When she brings the hand into her chest, the warmth makes it tingle and then hurt - throb was the word she used. It also hurts less if she doesn't use the hand - inactivity.

She is taking zinc supplements because she heard it would help. Also B vitamins, a multivitamin, Vitamin E and antioxidants.

She is taking a medicine for high blood pressure called Dyricide (sp?) which she must have just started taking before the shingles (she thought the drug might have caused the shingles since she has had problems with the medicine before). Also she is taking synthroid for thyroid problems (I forgot to ask her, but I assume it is for inactivity of the thyroid.) And of course there is the Darvisette (sp?) for the pain which is not helping much.

My aunt is a fairly active person - she just retired from her job last year when she was 75! - and generally has a positive outlook on life. She does tend to let people take advantage of her good nature. She is overweight, and has fought it all her life. She usually downplays the bad things in her own life.

I hope this helps, and that you have some advice. I heard hope in her voice as I spoke to her this afternoon.

Thankyou.

Ricky, nrg grl, GM or any other homeopath who chooses to advise on this case, would it be possible to write out the rubrics you chose to determine the remedy?? If you have time?

I came up with sulph (probably wrong) but would like to see the reasoning for other choices.

I can't find any rubrics to do with herpes zoster and hands so the best rubric I can come up with is:-

Boericke - Skin
HERPES, ZOSTER, NEURALGIA, PERSISTING (7)
2 ars, 2 dol, 3 KALM, 3 MEZ, 2 ran-b, 2 still, 2 zinc

You need to find which one of these will be > cold. I know most of thenm but not all without looking them up and I don't have time as it is 1.30am and I have patients in tomorrow morning!!

I also have Herrings Rep which has some interesting suggestions under hands, numbness, including the Agar that GM suggests.

It can be a side effect from medicines , yes, both of the mentioned, has that possibility.
Well need a full analysis, to conclude properly, agaricus came to mind too.