Posted by medlib on November 29, 2002, at 17:41:21
In reply to SSRI's Shingles?, posted by McPac on November 29, 2002, at 9:09:26
Hi McPac--
Effexor is used sometimes to treat neuropathic pain (such as that from diabetes or shingles). Some studies have shown tricyclics helpful for that type of pain, but side effects are a deterrent. Effexor provides pain relief (for some) similar to that of TCAs with fewer SEs.
I had an outbreak of shingles a couple of years ago while on high dose Effexor. Given the area involved, my doctor expected me to be in far more severe pain than I was--and I'm no stoic. It felt no worse than a pretty bad sunburn--painful on contact, but not agonizing. Haven't seen any lit suggesting a causal, or even associative, relationship between SSRIs or E. and shingles (herpes zoster).
poster:medlib
thread:129872
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/129936.html