<s>[INST] My husband has shingles for the last 5 weeks. The pain is under control during the day with all types of pain medication. Also under control when in bed with lidocaine patches. However between 8pm and 11pm he is in excruciating pain. What should we do? [/INST] Shingles usually resolves within 3–5 weeks, but secondary bacterial infection and chronic pain due to post – herpetic neuralgia may occur. Vaccination reduces the frequency of post – herpetic neuralgia. Advice 5.     Ask him to take Zostavax vaccine if your husband’s age is more than 50 years under medical supervision6.     For fresh attack, your husband can take valaciclovir 500 mg three times daily per oral if blisters are covering large area. There is no need of oral valaciclovir if blisters are localized to smaller area7.     Apply locally aciclovir 3% ointment five time daily 8.     Avoid mental stress as it aggravates shinglesFor post – herpetic neuralgia/neural pain3.     Gabapentin 100 mg three times daily after meal for 15 days4.     Methylcobalamin 500 mcg once daily per oral for 3 monthsI hope this information will help you. I will be happy if you ask another questionThank </s>