Shingles: West vs East - We win again!

[Guest guest]

Here's an interesting case: 47 y.o female with sudden onset (5 days prior)of

severe rash along the course of nerves T5 & 6 on the right, beginning

posteriorly and progressing to the sternum. Has a recent history of emotional

and physical trauma (work/finance and moving rocks and digging holes!).

 

She sought massage for what she thought was " a rib out " after the gardening

workout, which precipitated the first lesion along the back. Went to her local

medic after rash had fully developed, was given antivural meds and opiate

derivatives to no effect for her " shingles " .

 

On presentation she was in observable distress, with extensive hot red bumps

(red, non-weeping papules) from the spine to the sternum along the course of T5

and 6 on the right and extension from the armpit to the proximal 1/3 of the

brachium. Tongue moss was thin, white with redness beneath and a significant

central fissure. Pulse was rapid, mid level and evidenced spleen. Her demeanor

was mildly agitated, breathing was good with no obvious breath smells.

 

Working diagnosis: Heat Bi Synd, with blood heat, stagnation.

 

Having seen similar cases before (usually liver stagnated though), I immediately

began to remove heat from the blood with LI 4,11 and SP 10, adding ST 36, P 6

and GV 20 to complete her personal foumula. I also treated ashi regions of the

site of onset (the " Mother Ship " , she called it), especially the jiaji

paraspinally near the outbreak.

 

Response was immediate in relaxation and pain relief during treatment. She had

her first good night's sleep in 5 days. Lesions have not decreases to her

knowing by this morning, but she is very happy today.

 

I have heard Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan formula to be beneficial here. It is an inernal

warming formula and I was thinking of not going that way.

 

Any suggestions?