See video at the bottom of the page.
A small scientific trial has shown that Geranium Bourbon Oil 100% rubbed onto the skin began relieving pain 2 to 10 minutes after application. Relief was greatest at 60 minutes after rubbing it in. Geranium Bourbon Oil can be obtained from suppliers of essential oils. One supplier is: Essentially Oils Ltd - telephone 01608 659 544 or write to them at 8 Mount Farm, Junction Rd, Churchill, Chipping Norton, OX7 6NP
Self help ideas for you to try. They have not been scientifically tested, but have merit.
"I am so glad I tried the lidocaine ointment: it only cost £1.55 (from my chemist) but it was worth thousands! I have suffered for years and it got so bad I was nearly passing out with the pain: it is lovely to be free!”
Having suffered this for 6 years and undertaken studies on the mechanisms involved ... my advice is (1) take anti-oxidant therapy: vitamins E, A and C together with selenium (2) the severe pain is relieved by nitroglycerine - used as for angina ... (3) TENS is valuable if the patient does not have a pacemaker.” Professor Dennis Parke
“If you stop and think about what you intend to do BEFORE you do it, then there is less of a chance that you will have a set back. Remember pacing is ‘taking a break before you need it’ and spreading out your activities."
Dr John Briffa, in the Daily Mail, said that 9 out of 13 of his patients had complete or almost complete control of their PHN after taking vitamin E. He says “Try 1200 i.u. for 6 months.”
“I had an intolerable itch. After 3 years a new doctor prescribed cetirizine 10mg daily. It stopped the itching and would be well worth trying.”
“I use a 3-pronged approach” says Dr Mark Atkinson “Take: (1) two natural antiviral supplements: olive leaf extract [£26.50 for 120 capsules from SSS, 41 North Rd, N7 9DP includes postage] and lysine; (2) take Immune C (with echinacea and ‘cat’s claw’ plant); (3) AGE Antioxidant Protection to protect the nerves.”
“I’ve tried many things but got the most relief from massaging the area with St John’s Wort oil - first thing, and then whenever necessary. It costs £4.39 a bottle and has been a life saver to me. I take St John’s Wort capsules too; also vit. B complex.” Foods with vitamin B include oats, eggs, fish, leafy green veg, milk, cheese, nuts and bananas.
· “I put 5 drops of chamomile oil into 10 ml (2 tsps) of carrier oil (almond). Rub it into (or near) the affected part - as required. Bliss!”
· "Use lavender oil or dab with tea-tree oil – you might want to dilute in warm water.”
· “Mix a few drops of essential oil of lavender, thyme, sage, eucalyptus, rosemary and cypress into a base of sweet almond oil and put this mix on a compress or apply directly to the affected area. I took a course of magnesium tablets also and after a few days the relief was tremendous."
· "I got over a nasty attack with the aid of calendula lotion on the blisters and calend ointment once the blisters had dried."
· “5 drops of essential oil of melissa officinalis (lemon balm) mixed into 1 teaspoon of olive oil makes a skin-calming preparation that can be gently rubbed into the painful area.”
· “Eurax cream stopped my itching for 10 hours”
Other:
“When I wake in the night with pain, I knead the area with my knuckles for a while and that suppresses the pain for an hour or so, enough so I can go back to sleep.”
“I placed a pad over the sore area and firmly bandaged it in place. The pressure relieved pain.”
“As long as I am busy doing something I enjoy, I don’t really mind the pain. I stay busy in my garden as much as possible!”
“Distractions like doing a jigsaw puzzle... Any occupational therapy that is possible and enjoyable”
“Ice is good: 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off - or fill a hot water bottle with ice-cold water and apply it to the affected areas to reduce the discomfort.”
“When it was at its worst, I found the burning was eased with Kool’N’Soothe pads, normally used for headaches. The effect lasts up to 6 hours, if you can manage to keep it in place.”
“A cannabis spray called Sativex was prescribed for my MS – it worked brilliantly for my PHN too.”
“I used my heat-toning massager, this worked wonders. Using the heat and vibrations I managed to get some much needed sleep.”
“Rest and sleep as much as you can.”
