Gulf Coast Pain Management
Pain and Procedure Info

ADULT SHINGLES VACCINE
For Vaccination of Adults Age 60 and Older

As a pain management physician for over 13 years, treating zoster (shingles) and post
herpetic neuralgia present many challenges in management.
 
More than 90% of US adults have had chicken pox and thus are at risk for zoster.

There is no way to predict when the varicella zoster virus will reactivate or who will
develop zoster.
 
The incidence and severity of zoster increases with age. 50% of people living to age 85
will develop zoster.
 
Patients diagnosed with zoster or post herpetic neuralgia may experience debilitating nerve
pain and serious complications including infection, hearing loss, and visual damage. While
post herpetic neuralgia may resolve over time, some patients are refractory to all treatments.
The pain can occur before, during, and after the rash. Post herpetic neuralgia pain is described
as burning, throbbing, stabbing, shooting, and or sharp pain. Distressing and debilitating pain
can be caused even by the slightest touch.
 
45% report that they experience pain every day
 
42% report that zoster-associated pain was horrible and excruciating
 
Post herpetic neuralgia is one of the leading causes of suicide in the elderly.
 
Zostavax (shingles vaccine) is indicated for prevention of herpes zoster in individuals 60 years
of age and older.
 
Help for Shingles is Here!
 
Zostavax helps make prevention of zoster possible. For that reason, I am excited to offer
the Zostavax vaccine to patients. If you or a loved one is over the age of 60, a single dose
of shingles vaccine is indicated for the prevention of zoster.
 
Help eradicate this excruciating and debilitating pain by informing your friends and family
of this exciting new treatment. We are offering the vaccine to individuals 60 and over for
$225.00. A receipt will be provided to submit to your insurance company for possible
reimbursement.
 
What is a Vaccine Shingles?
 
A vaccine for shingles was licensed in 2006. In clinical trails, the vaccine prevented shingles
in about half of people 60 years of age and older. It can also reduce the pain associated with
shingles.
 
A single dose of shingles vaccine is indicated for adults 60 years of age and older.
 
What do I need to know about shingles and the virus that causes it?
 
Shingles is a rash that is usually on one side of the body. The rash begins as a cluster of small
red spots that often blister. The Shingles rash can be painful. Shingles rash usually last up to
30 days, and for most people the pain associated with the rash lessens, as it heals. However,
for some people, after the rash heals, Shingles may lead to pain that can last for months or
even years (a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN). The rash can be painful.
People who have problems with their immune system may have a greater risk of getting more
widespread rashes and longer-lasting pain.
 
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has had
chickenpox, the virus can live, but remain inactive, in one or more nerve roots in your body
for many years. For reasons that are not fully understood, the virus may become active again.
Age and problems with the immune system may increase your risk of getting shingles.
 
What are the warning signs of shingles?
 
At first, the virus multiplies in nerve roots near the spine, injuring or killing cells. It then travels
down sensory nerves to the skin's surface, erupting in a rash of blisters that looks like chicken
pox. The resulting pain, itching, or tingling may occur before or after the rash appears.
 
Key Facts about Shingles
 
Shingles, also called herpes zoster (HZ), can be a painful disease that can affect anyone
who has had chickenpox.
 
It can start at any time, without warning.
 
The first signs of Shingles are often felt and may not be seen. These can include: itching,
tingling and burning. A few days later a rash of fluid-filled blisters appears, usually on one side
of the body or face.
 
Sometimes the pain before the rash appears can be confused with other conditions and this
can make Shingles difficult to diagnose early on.
 
What Is Long-Term Pain After Shingles?
 
For most people the pain associated with the Shingles rash lessens as it heals. However,
for some people after the rash heals, Shingles may lead to long-term nerve pain that can last
for months or even years called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN.
 
The pain can range from tenderness, burning, or throbbing to pain that is stabbing or shooting.
The pain can be mild, moderate, or severe.
 
The older you get, the more you are at risk for long-term nerve pain. Long-term nerve pain
hurts more and lasts longer in older adults.

You can help prevent shingles and post herpetic neuralgia!

Call Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O.
to schedule your vaccine appointment today!