Latest News From Dr. Aguila

From Isolation to Hope: Connie’s Journey with Postherpetic Neuralgia Relief Connie lived with unbearable pain from Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) after a shingles outbreak — a condition that left her feeling hopeless. She tried everything, but nothing worked… until she found Dr. Demetrio J. Aguila III. 🎥 Healing After Years of Pain | Connie’s Postherpetic Neuralgia Recovery Journey 📌 Description: After suffering for 4 years with excruciating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), Connie traveled from Utah in search of real relief. Mocked by doctors and left in chronic pain, she found hope and healing through a specialized nerve surgery. Today, she’s pain-free, reconnecting with life, grandkids, and even considering a part-time job. This is her story. 🧠 What is Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)? Postherpetic neuralgia is a nerve condition that can result after a shingles outbreak. It causes severe, long-term pain in the affected area. In the U.S. alone, up to 200,000 new cases are seen annually. 👩‍⚕️ Connie’s Story: ✔️ Suffered 4 years with debilitating PHN ✔️ Struggled to find doctors who believed her pain ✔️ Traveled to seek help and underwent targeted nerve injections ✔️ Surgery successfully eliminated her pain ✔️ Now enjoying life and time with her grandkids again 🔬 The Treatment Process: ✅ Diagnostic nerve blocks to identify affected intercostal nerves ✅ Surgery to disconnect the sensory nerves responsible for chronic pain ✅ Full pain relief achieved post-surgery 💬 Connie’s Words: "It's opened a whole new world for me... I feel like I'm alive." "He hoped for 80%, but we got 100%. I'm on the winning team!" 🙏 A Note from Dr. Aguila: “We’re thankful we had the opportunity to help Connie after everything she’s been through. It’s stories like hers that remind us why this work matters.” 📞 Ready to Get Your Life Back? If you or someone you love is suffering from postherpetic neuralgia or chronic nerve pain, call Dr. Aguila and discover if this life-changing treatment is right for you. 🔖 Hashtags: #PHNRelief #PostherpeticNeuralgia #ShinglesPain #DrAguila #ChronicPainRecovery #PatientStory #NerveSurgery #HealingAfterShingles #MedicalHope #GetYourLifeBack

Understanding Postherpetic Neuralgia and Amy’s Journey to Relief What is Postherpetic Neuralgia? Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain condition that can occur after a shingles infection. Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, affects nerve roots, sometimes leading to long-lasting nerve damage even after the rash has healed. The virus often resides near the spinal cord or brain, and in some cases, like Amy Aldrich’s, it can result in relentless facial pain. Amy, a resident of Sarasota, Florida, developed severe PHN following a shingles outbreak. The pain was so intense that it disrupted her daily life, leaving her bedridden and in tears, struggling to imagine a future without suffering. Despite consulting ten different doctors, none could fully relieve her pain. Some attempted treatments with limited success, while others told her that there was nothing more they could do. This is a common struggle for PHN patients, as traditional medical approaches often assume that pain originating near the brain cannot be effectively treated. The Science Behind Peripheral Nerve Surgery for PHN While PHN is notoriously difficult to treat, advancements in peripheral nerve surgery have provided new hope for patients. The peripheral nervous system comprises nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord, which relay signals throughout the body. If a damaged nerve continues to send pain signals despite no longer serving a functional purpose, surgical intervention can sometimes disrupt these signals and provide relief. Seeking relief, Amy turned to Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a specialist in the surgical treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Using ultrasound imaging, Dr. Aguila examined Amy’s forehead and discovered something unusual: a small nerve was pressed against the bone in an area where it is not typically located. He tested his theory by injecting the area with a local anesthetic, and almost immediately, Amy’s symptoms disappeared. This was a crucial diagnostic step, confirming that the remaining pain originated from additional, previously hidden nerves. The Surgical Solution Dr. Aguila then performed a second procedure to address the remaining nerves. He carefully dissected through the periosteum, the connective tissue covering the bone, and identified two additional nerves contributing to Amy’s pain. He also treated her infratrochlear nerve, located near her eye. By selectively disconnecting these problematic nerves, he was able to stop the persistent pain signals at their source. The Outcome: A Pain-Free Life The results were life-changing. Just one day after surgery, Amy was already feeling significantly better. Despite the expected post-surgical recovery, she reported that her chronic pain was gone entirely. No longer needing to plan her life around pain, she expressed immense gratitude for the freedom to return to her usual activities. Dr. Aguila’s expertise has transformed the lives of hundreds of patients suffering from chronic nerve pain, demonstrating that even conditions once thought untreatable can sometimes be resolved with the right approach. His work emphasizes the importance of precise diagnosis, innovative surgical techniques, and the role of the peripheral nervous system in managing chronic pain. Amy’s story serves as both an inspiration and an educational insight into the evolving field of nerve surgery. For those suffering from PHN or other chronic nerve conditions, her experience offers hope that solutions may exist beyond conventional treatments. Watch Amy’s full story to learn more about this groundbreaking procedure and its potential to change lives.

After 6 Years of Unbearable Pain, Kathy Found Relief from Postherpetic Neuralgia – Here's How For six long years, Kathy Lewis from Vancouver, British Columbia, endured the relentless pain of postherpetic neuralgia following a bout with shingles. Her life became a cycle of severe, sharp pain that left her unable to go out, meet friends, or even get out of bed. Traditional treatments failed, and she felt isolated as others didn’t fully understand the extent of her suffering. But everything changed when Kathy discovered Dr. Demetrio Aguila, one of the few surgeons in the world who specializes in pain-focused peripheral nerve surgery. This groundbreaking treatment offered her hope and a way out of the constant pain. In this video, Kathy opens up about her journey, from the overwhelming pain that controlled her life to finding a solution with Dr. Aguila's innovative approach. She shares her experience of traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, for the surgery, and how it’s already giving her the chance to live pain-free again. If you’ve been struggling with postherpetic neuralgia and feel like you’ve tried everything, this video could be the answer you've been waiting for. Dr. Aguila and his team provide personalized care and cutting-edge solutions for those who have suffered for years. Watch Kathy’s story, and if you’re ready to take the next step toward pain relief, reach out to Dr. Aguila’s team. It’s time to reclaim your life from the grip of chronic pain. My name is Kathy Lewis, and I'm from Vancouver, British Columbia. Like so many other patients we've seen, I came to see Dr. Aguila from Canada. I have post-herpetic neuralgia, which is chronic pain following shingles. The pain was unbearable—so unbearable, in fact, that I reached a point where it became embarrassing. I would be in stores and suddenly experience a sharp pain. At times, I would have to leave and go home. I was in bed for five weeks, screaming in pain. I don't think my husband fully understood the extent of the pain or how extreme it was. It was tough because I would make plans with people, and then I would have a bad day and have to cancel. There were two main issues I faced: first, people didn't know what to do to help, and second, many of them didn't take my concerns seriously. My doctor wasn't much help either. I went to another doctor who gave me ointment and said that was all he could do. Then I came across Dr. Aguila. She convinced me that her treatment had worked well for others, and she encouraged me to give it a try. When I did, I told the doctor, "I’ll take this treatment any day over the pain I came in with." We went to the operating room, where several sensory nerves were removed—nerves responsible for sensation, not movement. As a result, there has been no muscle weakness. I hope this will help me return to being a happy person again. The treatment has been excellent, and I felt extremely well cared for by everyone, including the surgical team and the office staff. They made me feel comfortable and at ease, which is so important when you're dealing with pain. I recommend anyone suffering from this contact Dr. Aguila's team to see if there’s help for them. It felt like there was no end to my suffering until I found out about Dr. Aguila and the treatment available. In a recent follow-up, Kathy told me she experienced significant relief. The lower two-thirds of the area where she had pain is now completely pain-free. However, she still has some pain in the upper third of the affected area. So far, we’ve achieved partial relief in that section, and some areas are improving. There are still some parts that need to be addressed, but I’m confident we’ll be able to target the remaining nerves causing her pain and provide her with the complete relief she’s looking for.

Amanda is a young mother suffering from Postherpetic Neuralgia of the face. Pain-focused peripheral nerve surgeon Demetrio Aguila, MD, cured Amanda with two surgeries. The first surgery helped dramatically, and the second surgery eliminated her few remaining pain spots. Here is Part One of Amanda's story: https://youtu.be/SWo3cVZimmI

Laurie had pain 24/7 from Postherpetic Neuralgia. She suffered for months until she found Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a pain-focused peripheral nerve surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Aguila is one of only a few doctors who can offer permanent surgical solutions for this debilitating condition. Laurie is grateful for his kindness, expertise, and good stories. She calls Dr. Aguila a happy pioneer and credits him for giving her life back. Dr. Aguila and Total Pain Solutions https://www.totalpainsolutions.net/ And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TotalPainSolutionsbyHealingHandsofNE Facebook PHN Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1277519463464942/

Tod had successful surgery with Dr. Aguila for Postherpetic Neuralgia affecting his face. He is now 75% better and is already returning to his active lifestyle. However, he still has a couple of painful spots remaining. Tod made another trip to see Dr. Aguila. Dr. Aguila performed nerve blocks, pinpointing the exact location. Now a second surgery is planned. Watch Tod as he continues his journey toward recovery.

Carmine suffered for three years with pain in her abdomen from Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) after Shingles. No one could help until she found Dr. Demetrio Aguila in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Aguila is one of only a handful of surgeons worldwide who can eliminate Postherpetic Neuralgia pain. Carmine calls Dr. Aguila "a genius." Watch her story and learn more about surgical solutions for PHN. "My name is Carmine, and I am from Indiana. I was suffering from Postherpetic Neuralgia. It was difficult to drive, difficult to go to work, and it was difficult to be with my family and go places. It was very frustrating because the doctors I went to did not know how to help me. They said if you have PHN, there is no cure, and you just have to learn to live with it and take narcotic medication. I tried various therapies like acupuncture, two nerve blocks, and medication. Finally, after three years of suffering, she found Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a pain-focused surgeon who specializes in Postherpetic Neuralgia. Dr. Aguila: "Her chronic growing pain in her abdominal and flank pain seems to be due to a case of Shingles that occurred a number of years ago and then left her with chronic pain afterward. She had pain that started on her flank and wrapped around her back and also down toward her groin area. Her pain seems to involve what we call the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. Dr. Aguila gave her a nerve block and temporarily turned off the affected nerves. After the nerve blocks, she was delighted that she didn't have any pain and said when can we do surgery? Dr. Aguila: "In surgery, disconnected those nerves from the source of the pain, which, according to some recent research, isn't actually the nerve root, which is the classical teaching because that's where the virus that causes shingles lives. It lives in the nerve root right next to the spinal cord. There's more recent research suggesting that the problem is actually not at the nerve root, but where the nerve and skin connect and that there's either damage to the skin where this nerve in the skin connects or damage to the nerve where the nerve in the skin connect or damage to both where they connect to each other. She came back for her follow-up. She just had surgery a few days ago, and she says she feels fantastic. Carmine: "Find ways to educate yourself, whether on the Internet or trying YouTube, which I highly recommend." Aguila: "To my knowledge, there's only a small number of us here in the United States that offer permanent surgical solutions for Postherpetic Neuralgia. There's me, Dr. David Brown, Dr. Eric Williams, and Dr. Tim Tollestrup. Carmine: "My experience with Dr. Aguila has been just absolutely wonderful. He's very caring, and I call him a genius doctor. If you have the opportunity to take a chance and you want to come to Nebraska, I highly recommend it." Dr. Aguila and Total Pain Solutions https://www.totalpainsolutions.net/ And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TotalPainSolutionsbyHealingHandsofNE

Dr. Aguila shares his perspective on free market medicine and direct specialty care in the wake of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson's death.

Mark had a case of Shingles that developed into severe Postherpetic Neuralgia under his armpit. He couldn't shower, wear shirts or function normally, leaving him in a dark place. After other treatments failed, he researched and found Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a pain-focused peripheral nerve surgeon. Dr. Aguila has helped hundreds of patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia get their lives back. Mark is his latest PHN success story and he is' "grateful beyond words." My name is Mark McCubbin. I'm from Oklahoma City. I developed a case of Shingles and after the Shingles rash healed the pain did not go away and I developed Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN). The pain was probably seven or eight often a nine and the sensitivity to touch was a nine or 10. It was hard to sleep and hard to function. I was in a dark place. Mark saw several different doctors who could not help. But he did not give up, searched online and found Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a pain focused peripheral nerve surgeon. Dr. Aguila: According to the CDC there are about 1 million new cases of Shingles in the United States each year. Anywhere from 5 to 15% of those people end up with chronic pain after shingles which is called Postherpetic Neuralgia. That's anywhere from 50 to 150,000 new cases of Postherpetic Neuralgia in the United States alone. Dr. Aguila performed nerve blocks to the affected nerves in Mark’s chest wall. When they worked, he went to the operating room and disconnected the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves that were responsible for pain in his chest and his armpit. Thankfully, he was one of many patients who've gotten great relief from this surgery. As a result of this surgery, I'm pain-free. I feel no pain in that area and it's just a wonderful feeling to have relief from the pain. The last year has been tough, and this was an answer to my prayers. I can take showers, and I can function normally. It's been a great relief. I would highly recommend Dr. A as he genuinely cares. Not only is he a skillful Physician, but you can tell he cares. He was always candid and transparent with me. The surgery was a success, and I'm so grateful beyond words. Dr. Aguila and Total Pain Solutions https://www.totalpainsolutions.net/ And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TotalPainSolutionsbyHealingHandsofNE