Given that Post shingles pain is restricted to certain nerve root Level(s), nerve destructive measures could be an option. Cure rates for both were about 85% but thermocoagulation had more adverse events.
Pain Clin J February 2012, 8(1) 15-18
Comparison of the effects of absolute ethanol block and radiofrequency thermocoagulation on patients with postherpetic neuralgia
Ahan M et al
http://www.cqvip.com/Read/Read.aspx?id=41748596
- large enough sample – 139 ethanol, 140 thermocoagulation
- “Cure” rates were 86.3% with alcohol and 84.3% with themocoagulation
- adverse reactions higher in thermocoagulation but article unavailable so don’t know how
Comment – alcohol blocks can occasionally cause dysesthesias (painful numbness) for which patient will not be thankful for – subject has to be willing to take that risk. Blocks do wear off after ?3-6 months but can be repeated. I have now published a series of articles found in the chinese literature on post herpetic neuralgia. Hopefully, this gives people the realization that much can be done for this condition.