According to the NHS website on the subject, around one in five people with shingles will get post-herpetic neuralgia. The main symptom is intermittent or continuous nerve pain in the areas of the skin previously affected by shingles. The pain can be described as burning, aching, throbbing, shooting or like electric shocks. Lindsey was principally affected by a left sided shooting pain in her face.

Most people with post-herpetic neuralgia make a full recovery within a year. But symptoms occasionally last for several years or may be permanent.

At our first appointment Lindsey explained her shingles outbreak had happened 18 months previously. Unfortunately, she had been experiencing several unwanted and unpleasant symptoms since then. These included a burnt sensation on the left side of the tongue, mouth ulcers, a loss of appetite and weight, a low grade swollen/sore throat and darkening of urine.

Three months previously she had been bitten by a dog and had a course of intravenous antibiotics. This triggered daily diarrhoea and contributed to further weight loss.

In considering what homeopathic medicine might best suit her, I asked about the time leading up to the outbreak of shingles. Lindsey told me about the concerns she had for her family’s health and happiness and the limitations on her because of her husband’s need for reassurance following a mental breakdown.

Her prescription was based on the ongoing stresses and strains and the uncomfortable symptoms she was suffering. The aim of a good homeopathic remedy is not only to relieve symptoms but to prevent recurrence.

At her follow up appointment seven weeks later she reported splendid progress. The facial neuralgia was not there. ‘There’s a residual soreness if I think about it. But I don’t think about it much and rarely take ibuprofen or paracetamol.’

She rated the burnt tongue sensation as 3/5 whereas it had been 5/5. She had not had any mouth ulcers. Her appetite had improved, and she’d gained 2 pounds. Her urine was a normal colour and her diarrhoea was resolving. Over the following weeks her symptoms improved further, and she reduced her dosage of the remedy.

She next contacted me after a viral infection 3 months later. The burnt tongue sensation had reappeared although rated at 2/5 and she was experiencing post viral aches and pains and feeling generally sluggish. We reintroduced the same remedy at a higher potency. This resolved things over the ensuing six weeks at which point Lindsey asked for help with other issues which had started to surface, and we changed our treatment plan.

Lindsey says, ‘‘Having been diagnosed with shingles and subsequently facial palsy from the virus, I had been prescribed high doses of gabapentin by my GP who never recalled me to reduce or stop the drug. I felt constantly sluggish. I decided to wean myself off all the prescribed drugs before contacting Chris although kept up with paracetamol for the pain.

My first consultation with her felt more like chatting with an old acquaintance. She put me at ease and discussed every aspect of my life, including the ‘burnt, painful’ feeling I was still experiencing on my tongue. I felt a weight had been lifted after having spoken to Chris and hopefulness for my life going forward.

Within a few days of taking my homeopath medication I noticed a change in my symptoms and began to feel more on top of things. Once I felt more in control, I reduced the homeopathic medicine gradually although I did reuse it a few times if I experienced the odd twinge.

I would thoroughly recommend this alternative approach with Chris, healing the body from within with a very caring but professional approach.”

These are the success stories of some of my clients. They appear with the consent and approval from the individuals concerned.

Always check with your GP or other health professional if you have any concerns about your health.