Dear all
My mother is a 77 years old sufferer of PHN who has been trying obediently all the range of drugs (Gabapentin-Neurontin... nerve blocking injections, antidepressant, morphine…) that the doctors prescribed to her for more than 7 years now. The pain has been reduced only slightly and the small improvements have not made up for the side effects.
Lidocaine- Patches had helped her but after some 3 years of using them it seems that they are losing their effectiveness and the itching pain is even stronger than ever before. We are looking for any other topically applied product.
I’ve just seen in the internet, with hope, a new product, Gallixa (Gallium maltolate cream ), but have not seen any independent review and only one successful case reported to treat PHN. I live in Europe and think this cream has not been approved for medical use by the FDA (although for PHN approved drugs this has not meat much).
Is there any one among you who has tried or know about this product? I would appreciate any advice or recommendation.
Best regards
Postherpetic Neuralgia - New Gallixa cream… useful for PHN?
Question posted by ramonez on 15 Dec 2013
Last updated on 6 January 2018 by jazzy002
12 Answers
I am currently using it, however, I believe for me the 4% lidocaine cream sold at local pharmacie without a prescription worked better.
I have trigeminal neuralgia on both sides of my face. Has anyone used it for this? Did you notice a difference in pain level? I realize everyone is different but any input would be helpful! Can't take any drugs,useless and after two brain surgeries not an option! Thank you foir yourgelp!
Your question was posted so long ago I'm not sure if I will hear back from you. I hope your problem with Trigeminal Neuralgia is better or gone! What a miserable condition to suffer with. I'm truly sorry. I have a question for you. My husband has Trigeminal Neuralgia on his lower lip. When it flares the pain is around his lower left lip and radiates on the left side of his face. As you well know, the pain is very intense! Poor guy... I feel so sorry for anyone who suffers with this pain. I've had Shingles (twice) this year on the back of my head. So I think I understand a little. My question is... my doctor gave me some Lidocaine Patches 5% to treat my nerve pain from the Shingles. My husbands TN flared up yesterday and today is bad. The medication he takes for this is CarBamazepine ER 100mg 1 or 2 Daily. He took 2 yesterday and his pain was much worse this morning. This stuff really affects his memory and functioning.
I was wondering if I could cut a small section from a Lidocaine Patch and put on the area on his chin (under his lip) where the nerve pain seems to start? I wasn't sure if you ever tried the Lidocaine Patches. If so, I hope they helped you! If you know anything about this I would appreciate your reply. Thank You and I hope you are better!
I also had Brain Surgery ( Elective @ Yale , Univ. Hosp. / Epilepsy ) , left temporal lobe , diagnosed w/ continuous 24hr. EEG w/ interior electrodes , shortly after had Myocardial Infarction ( triple bypass ) not longer candidate for final procedure @ Yale .
My shingles was limited to T1 nerve 1 side , at times Lidocaine patch helped whereas at times Cold Compress ( nerve numbing ) was more of a relief and other times a warm compress soothed .
The episode is into it's 4th. year now , I found calamine to relieve and perhaps rid 90% of discomfort , that usually returns late in day / early evening .
Could be " half life " of Dilantin , recently ( 2 weeks ) stopped Gabapentin , too toxic , unstable , fear of falling in shower , purchased a shower chair along w/ one used outside shower .
Applying Eucerin skin calming creme after showering , will be making appt. w/ Dermatologist shortly , lingering minor sting burn like sensation above eye brow and continuous w/ part of upper hair line .
TRY CALAMINE LOTION
My pm doc gave me a cream of ketamine 10%,gabapentin 6%,clonidine 0.2% ,lidocaine 5% and it does work well with the vicodin 10mg/325 that I'm on. No other treatments have helped. Epidurals help for a week. 2 facet injections provided the info to do a nerve ablation for my PHN. After 2 month no relief so I'm looking into having a neurostimulater trial therapy which I believe is the last resort. I'm only 43
I too had used the Lidoderm / Lidocaine patches ( cut according to size needed , re-seal envelope ) , have your Mom try Eucerin crème or Aquaphor ( both Topical , Aquaphor may take longer to absorb ) Eucerin less messy absorbs quickly . As of late I reverted back to using CALAMINE otc Cheap and most effective along w/ either a Frozen Gel Pak or Cold Lined Ice ( water ) Bag .
I also had Shingles that evolved into PHN post herpetic neuralgia V1 Branch of Trigeminal Nerve / forehead , scalp 1 side , Left Temporal Lobe Area . Fortunately I am an Epileptic that is attended to by DILANTIN ( phenytoin / Generic Dilantin inexpensive ) , the Dilantin gives me some relief ample to that of Gabepentin etc.
It evolved July 2013 , still minimally lingering especially at night time starting @ early evening , must be the CNS readjusting itself or fatigue at days end neuronal activity , axons , synapse's receptors etc. along w/ Myelin Sheath , of nerve or nerve fiber abnormal activity .
Apparently it is a S-L-O-W healing process , so try to hang in there .
I also have the ongoing itching problem... I am 72 and have had two steroid injections which did absolutely NOTHING and now I have been using the patches... sometimes I can now go a few days without out the patch but when the itching begins, I adhere a couple of patches. I also use Boil Ease ointment (one oz. size) which alleviates the itching... I don't use the patches and ointment at the same time... The ointment costs around $7 and contains Benzocaine 20%... It has been very helpful... I highly recommend it... I am so grateful I don't have the nerve pain I did when I first had shingles... It was unbearable... I live in Las Vegas, Nevada... The telephone number for Boil Ease is 1-800-344-7239... I hope this information is helpful to you... Linda
My wife was diagnosed with post herpetic neuralgia(PHN) in 1993. It affects the right side of her face. After visiting many doctors and pain clinics and trying about 20 different drugs, treatments procedures etc. the pain was reduced from 10 (most severe) to around 7 to 8 on a good day. In 2013, I found an article on the internet describing a PHN case that had used Gallixa and the subject's pain was gone in a matter of 30 minutes. I ordered Gallixa and my wife tried it. In a matter of 20 minutes her pain was reduced from the usual 7 to 8 down to a "2". She applies it to the side of her face every four hours and the pain is virtually gone after having used Gallixa for over a year now. As you can imagine this has changed her life. She has not had any known side effects to date. I would recommend trying the cream, but use it for a few weeks if it doesn't work immediately. Best of luck.
My dad had shingles last summer which affected his head and eye. It was a terrible case and he suffered greatly. I read so much about everything that had to do with shingles, including the possibility of PHN. Well, after his outbreak healed he had symptoms which included pain, itching and that feeling of "dead" skin.
So in my searching for a remedy I discovered the Gallixa website. I liked the fact that it would not have any side effects that drugs or other topical remedies like lidocaine would have. I ordered the cream and my dad had noticeable relief. He used up the jar and ordered another one. His symptoms have subsided and a year later, he still has weird feelings on his head that are relieved when he applies Gallixa; he just needs to be reminded that it helps!!
There is very little information regarding Gallixa on the internet... My Primary doctor followed my instructions and prescribed Amitriptyline 10 mgs.. I cut the pill in half as I am very sensitive to all medications. I take one pill at bedtime... I have only taken it for 4 days. The itching is still there but seems to be slightly improved... I have no nerve problems anymore... that stopped about 2 months ago. ... My Primary doctor had originally prescribed Amitriptyline 75 mgs. I took one and never took another... It made me sleep for days. I truly believe we, as patients, should participate in prescribing medications because many doctors just don't get it... I have learned so much from all of you and thank you for your support and information...
I like your attitude about medications that affect the nervous system. They should be prescribed in very low doses and slowly increased. I developed a sudden onset of a movement disorder from a drug that is supposed to inhibit nerve pain and originally approved as an antiepileptic drug. Gabapentin can be given in liquid form, which seems like a safer way to introduce it at a low rate. I found a statement in The Pill Book in regard to many drugs, "Do not take this drug if you are sensitive or allergic to it." How are you and your doctor supposed to know the answer?
You were very wise to insist on a very small dose of Amitriptyline, after having a bad reaction to a higher dose. ~ Beth
Dear all
Thanks for the responses
I ordered the Gallixa cream but I am afraid it has not produced any relevant reduction of the pain in my mother. At least no side effects. We'll need to keep looking for some other way of relief.
best
That's a shame, I was hoping it would work. Thanks for letting us know.
That's a bummer. I am interested in trying it, as I have experienced PHN in my face and head for a year now. I use a lot of Tiger Balm and that does help, at least until the menthol/camphor evaporates from the base... in which case I have to continue to apply it all night.
That's a bummer. I am interested in trying it, as I have experienced PHN in my face and head for a year now. I use a lot of Tiger Balm and that does help, at least until the menthol/camphor evaporates from the base... in which case I have to continue to apply it all night.
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's pain. Have you heard of Qutenza? I asked my pain clinic about it but they didn't seem to know much about it. It's supposed to be a capsiacian type patch that your pain clinic puts on (they can put on 4 at a time to cover the painful area) and the pain relief is supposed to last up to 3 months I think. I used Tiger Balm for many years for my PHN and it helped somewhat. This Qutenza patch is supposed to be a potent form so it should really help. Maybe try looking this up and see what you think.
Like your mom, my biggest relief are the Lidoderm patches which I wear at night so I can sleep (the sheets touching my skin is unbearable, so is wearing clothing on my torso). You're only supposed to wear those up to 12 hours, i go 17. My pain is an 8 on a 1-10 scale.
Anyways, I hope you guys get some relief! Good luck! :)
Suzette
I've had this PHN for 2 1/2 years. I'm not sure where yours is located, but mine is back to front on my lower torso right side - just where my bra is and to my waist. I've found that sleeping on the side with the PHN significantly reduces the pain, and that wearing a shaping camisole, that hugs firmly, really helps during the day. I don't know why, except that the light touches of clothing don't register against the skin. It's sometimes very difficult to get the camisole on, but it really helps. I take Lyrica and hydrocodone, but sometimes I just go to bed because it doesn't seem to be working.
I just read the info. It sounds like its nothing that would cause harm, and might help. With that kind of pain, almost anything is worth trying. If you do get it for her, come back and let us know how it works please.
Related topics
neurontin, persisting pain, shingles, neuralgia, gabapentin, morphine, postherpetic neuralgia, injection, antidepressant, cream, nerve
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