Thanks to all for your thoughts and comments. I'm going to try to answer your questions in this one post.

Crankin, I'm not sure about Elavil. I've taken it in the past for moderate depression, but I don't know if it would work for pain.

Chicken Little, so far about the only thing the Lyrica is doing is helping me sleep. I haven't really noticed much of an improvement in the pain. I think I'm getting more relief from Extra-Strength Tylenol. And I don't have any underlying disease process. Just as Veronica said, I have no idea what caused the shingles to flair up.

Five one, I'm so sorry about your DH. I have the lesions on my torso, so hopefully when they clear up, I won't have any lasting problems.

Again thank you all for your warm and healing thoughts.