Hey man I don’t know a lot about shingles but from what I’ve read and what you describe it can really jack with your CNS… the good news is generally speaking you can get better but no telling how long it takes. The main thing is to avoid long term complications and problems that can arise in your CNS.
I’m not an either / or approach but more of a both / and so whatever isn’t a harsh, dependency inducing solution from your doctors and the natural remedies is my approach. The pharmaceutical options are likely well known with your doctor - gabapentin, low dose naltrexone possibly for longer term issues. You don’t seem like you’re there yet. Both of those are hard to come off of and are likely for severe problems. I had severe CNS reactions and symptoms from covid and while not the same as shingles I turned down those treatments for nerve pain and basically shot nerves (mental stress etc).
So I made sure my vitamin and supplement game was strong. All of the B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium (probably glycinate), vitamin D / sunlight, certain herbs like kava, valerian root, ashwaganda, skull cap, and even minor ones like passion flower, chamomile all helped my mind. I also focused specifically on brain health, berberine, lysine, alpha lipoic acid, glutathione (liposomal)… some of those are merely anti inflammatory some are anti viral, but there is no doubt post viral symptoms are inflammatory responses. There’s more out there and look up each one, find more. I fought like a fucking dog for months but combined with a perfect anti inflammatory diet (get on it now) and lots of fluids (add trace minerals), you really can give your body space to heal. But you have to feed it well, ensure there are zero deficiencies, and reduce stress like a mother fucker. Walk, get sun light. Listen to relaxing music. Red light therapy can help, acupuncture, there are some nerve stimulation therapies that can help too - often for lasting nerve pain. You don’t have to wait it out, your body is amazing and has healing capabilities you aren’t too old to let it do these things but you have to help it help you. I’m a witness to that power and the sooner you get on it the better your recovery will be. Whether that’s a week or a month, there’s no doubt you will benefit from the natural help.
on the colonoscopy thing, yeah get on that. 😕
as for being in the trenches …. FUCK it sucks. HOLY SHIT it sucks. I thought I lost my joy and optimism for good, it came back when my body healed.
you can get through this. There’s plenty of easy noninvasive things you can do to help make it better and ensure it doesn’t spiral away from you into a chronic situation.
hang in there