[GH85Carrera]

I have been suffering with subcutaneous shingles for a couple of months.

It is shingles, just under the skin. The skin on my stomach area looks normal, but it feels like someone is holding a piece of new 20 grit sandpaper against my skin, and pressing it hard on occasions, and moving it just a tiny bit. Light pressure of my shirt, or the sheets at night is agony.

I get an occasions stabbing pain like someone is driving a toothpick into me. That last for a few seconds on occasions.

I had the singles shingles shot (try saying that out loud quickly three times) and I had the two stage shingles shot several years ago. My doctor says that may be why the symptoms are not as bad as full singles.

He has me on Gabapentin 300 MG 3 times per day. It may as well be a placebo from what I can tell. I am still taking the pills as prescribed.

My real question to the brain trust, is there any other medications I can suggest to my doctor. He is an internist, not a GP, so I would think he would know the best treatment.

I am not going to take prescription pain meds as I hate the effect they have on me. Only OTC pain meds is all I take.

Mostly I am venting. This is just constant torture. The good news is if I am doing something active, I can mostly tune out the discomfort, and get on with life. Mowing the yard I pretty much can ignore it, but I am not having fun sweating and getting hot.

Most every internet search is just the regular shingles. I am very happy I don't have that, as open sores and the horrible pain is something my mom said was 10 times worse than childbirth.