# Virus theory? **URL:** \ **Category:** General TN & GPN (Old Site)\ **Created:** [February 12, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647 "2016-02-12T21:46:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jennifer\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jennifer\_m](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jennifer_m)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/1 "2016-02-12T21:46:50Z")
Long story short my moms sister was speaking to a cousin in a different state they haven’t seen in many years. Somehow I came up. He’s an optomologist . he said he sees people come in all the time complaining of pain in the eyes and there is nothing they find wrong. He brought up the trigeminal nerve! He said that sometimes there is a virus attacking the nerve and that if that’s the case an anti viral medication can help! I’m gonna ask my Dr I mean what’s the harm in trying it? Does anybody have any insight or know anything about this virus theory? Thanx ---
**Author:** ![anon25930859](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@anon25930859](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/anon25930859)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/2 "2016-02-12T21:59:31Z")
When the Shingles virus attacks the nerve, some patients get "post herpetic neuralgia". Medical literature suggests that the most effective course of treatment is a short course of an anti-viral med plus Gabapentin for several weeks to months. I've also read comments from patients who wonder if the Herpes Simplex I virus (the same that causes cold sores) might be a cause of TN. I followed up with two different experienced neurosurgeons to ask about this possibility. I was told that so far the medical evidence hasn't established a definite relationship between TN and HS-1 virus. Best regards, Red ---
**Author:** ![Jennifer\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jennifer\_m](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jennifer_m)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/3 "2016-02-12T22:03:43Z")
Red, you wouldn’t have to have an " outbreak" for it to be virus related though right? Also it wouldn’t hurt to try? Since we are already trying everything else ---
**Author:** ![Jennifer\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jennifer\_m](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jennifer_m)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/4 "2016-02-12T22:04:42Z")
What’s herptic neuralgia? ---
**Author:** ![anon25930859](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@anon25930859](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/anon25930859)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/5 "2016-02-12T22:12:22Z")
Post herpetic neuralgia is literally a neuralgia that occurs after an infection of a herpes virus. Shingles is a result of the Herpes Zoster virus coming out of remission after you've had and gotten over chicken pox. It's a different virus from Herpes Simplex I. If you're considering treatment to suppress Herpes Simplex I, it may be wise to ask your physician whether there are any papers in medical literature showing a benefit in such treatment. Also of concern is whether the use of an anti-viral medicine (Virex) could reduce your responsiveness to it later if you get Shingles. ---
**Author:** ![Jennifer\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jennifer\_m](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jennifer_m)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/6 "2016-02-12T22:14:47Z")
Do you always get an outbreak of some sort after a herpes virus? ---
**Author:** ![anon25930859](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@anon25930859](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/anon25930859)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:19pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/7 "2016-02-12T22:19:41Z")
Most patients who present with post-herpetic neuralgia do have an "outbreak" with rash. In some patients, the rash may be internal, but that is relatively rare. There is speculation that irritation of the nerve could be caused by the HSV-1 without "outbreak" But again, there doesn't seem to be strong medical evidence to support that speculation Jennifer Muir said: > Do you always get an outbreak of some sort after a herpes virus? ---
**Author:** ![Jennifer\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jennifer\_m](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jennifer_m)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:22pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/8 "2016-02-12T22:22:59Z")
You are so knowledgeable so while I have you here red what do you know about radio frequency to burn the nerve?thanx so much ---
**Author:** ![Jennifer\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jennifer\_m](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jennifer_m)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/virus-theory/8647/9 "2016-02-12T22:26:20Z")
Also red would you mind sending me a friend request so I could speak to you? If your not too busy it would mean a lot to me