<human>: I ll be 75 next month. Two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Shingles, even though I got the vaccine two years ago. I was treated with Valacyclovir (21pills), as well as Prednisone for 12 days. I m now at a stage where while the rash is fading, an accompanying itch/pain is intense and driving me mad. A week ago, when itch/pain were low, I asked my doctor what I could do for pain, and she suggested I might try Capsaicin. I haven t bought it yet, and am trying to understand how it works. -- Livi
<bot>: Kind regards! You are experiencing neuralgic pain, which is classified as one of the worst! Capsaicin allegedly `` Chat Doctor.  Substance P is in many studies since it is thought to be important neurotransmitter in many chronic conditions and processes (pain, inflamation............). But what it boils down to is this : You will be using Capsaicin locally (topical), a substance quite natural with very little chance of systemic side effects, which could very likely alleviate your trouble. When You put that on one side of the scale, and when You see what is offered to You on the other side (analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants, tranquilizers,carbine, antiepileptics......all used systemically, intravenous,intramuscular, as tablets and pills) with many, many side effects, interactions and potential hazards and with no guaranteed success................... Of course, postherpetic neuralgia can last for quite some time, and maybe you will reach for some of these 