Betty, et al,
I've just returned from sunny, but chilly Florida. The treatment for shingles has, since about 1985, been low dose cortisone (Prednisone). A team of doctors at the Univ. of Washington (seattle) did a double blind experiment that was "broken" by the patients. Patients were given placebo or prednisone. After one week the placebo patients could see the members of the prednisone group were all better. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Pain pills are only needed for the first few days. Hope that helps F
