Postherpetic Neuralgia in the Face

After Shingles developed into a painful case of Postherpetic Neuralgia on the face, Todd was lonely, miserable, and in constant pain.

Through online research he found Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a pain-focused, peripheral nerve surgeon.

Dr. Aguila confirmed the peripheral nerves causing his pain with a nerve block that temporarily relieved the pain.

Then he took Tod to the operating room where he removed the affected nerves.

Now he is 75% better just five days after surgery.

Tod thanks Dr. Aguila for giving him the will to live again.

"My name is Tod Miller, and I am from Phoenix, Arizona

Dr. Aguila: Todd Miller is another patient who came to us with terrible postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) on his face. He had pain in his face after Shingles.

Todd: You don’t have relationships and you’re pretty much alone when you have PHN. It’s such a tremendous feeling of being lonely you almost feel hopeless. Sometimes I would sit for 24 hours a day and the recliner with ice bags on my head and my neck.

I found Dr. Aguila through a lady in Florida. She told me about two or three other doctors that were performing this type of surgery. All roads on the internet led to Dr. Aguila.

Dr. Aguila: We blocked the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves and the infraorbital nerve, nerve that’s right here in the face and he said doc this feels amazing.

Given the success of the diagnostic block, Tod moved forward with surgery. In the operating room, Dr. Aguila removed the affected nerves, trading pain for numbness. Just five days after surgery here is Todd.

I’m feeling a lot better. I am more energetic and 75 to 80% of the pain has been reduced already.

Dr. Aguila: There is one little spot still across the forehead. We’re going to give it time to heal to see if it goes away, but it was so much better than it was before that. I’m looking forward to walking my dog and seeing my grandson and my granddaughter on the way.

Everyone told me he was such a great guy and I heard great things about him and it’s all true. He’s caring and compassionate. You know anyone who gives you his cell phone number is a good guy.

Dr. Aguila: thank you Todd for trusting us with your care. Thank you for giving us the opportunity. Take care of you.

Todd: Thank you to Dr. Aguila for giving me the ability to want to live again."