Zoster Virus

I saw the question in another thread and rather than Hijack it, started a new one. To research the question its best to research post-herpetic neuralgia. Its really a separate (but same) condition. Here's a good start:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664599/

Can someone please clear this up for me? I am a new member of this group and was diagnosed yesterday with TN. It is on the same side of my face where I had shingles about 9 years ago. Is this related? Is post-herpetic neuralgia a sub group of TN? If I am having a shingles outbreak shouldn't I be taking anti-viral medication? Can someone clear up these issues for me?

TJ is describing post-herpetic neuralgia a condition that causes pain AFTER a shingles outbreak. It is residual pain caused by damage to the nerves from the initial infection. It doesn't mean that youre still having a shingles outbreak.

Nonna said:

Can someone please clear this up for me? I am a new member of this group and was diagnosed yesterday with TN. It is on the same side of my face where I had shingles about 9 years ago. Is this related? Is post-herpetic neuralgia a sub group of TN? If I am having a shingles outbreak shouldn't I be taking anti-viral medication? Can someone clear up these issues for me?