As if shingles isn’t bad enough, many people, particularly those over 60 years, develop a very painful condition called post herpetic neuralgia, a type of nerve pain along where the shingles occurred.

Nerve pain, neuralgia, is a very difficult pain to treat. While some people see the PHN ease off, some still have it a year later. Some medications do help some people, but not all.

Today, the FDA approved a drug called Qutenza, a high-concentration capsaicin skin patc. The medication was approved under the so-called Orphan Drug designation. This is given for products that may diagnose, prevent, and/or treat rarer illnesses, conditions, or disabilities – usually those that affect 200,000 patients or fewer.

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Image: Newscom.com

Post from: Blisstree

FDA Approves Qutenza

About one-third of patients with diabetic neuropathy have overlying compression of certain nerves in the leg that may worsen the pain and cause loss of sensation at the bottom of the foot. Several studies have demonstrated that the nerves may increase in diameter in diabetic patients. In this study, UT Southwestern investigators are hoping to show that by releasing pressure from the specific nerves of these patients, pain may be decreased and sensation improved.

Similar to carpal tunnel surgery- this surgery would alleviate the pressure on the inflamed nerve area and decrease the pain and suffering that these patients have to live with on a daily basis. The scientists and doctors leading the study are hopeful that they will be able to restore the protective sensation thus decreasing the risk for cuts, ulcers and ultimately amputations.

via Southwestern Medical Center

Post from: Blisstree

New surgery to alleviate pain due to diabetic neuropathy now being studied