Dear Dr. SerVaas: I have a request. I am age 72 and in good health. Five weeks ago after having pain for several days, I broke out in full-blown shingles. I had never experienced such pain and discomfort in all my years. At one point, I was taken to the emergency room of our local hospital with the severity of the pain. I have been told this just has to "run its course" and can last from a few weeks to a few months.

Both myself and my daughter have tried to get some info on this and cannot find much, other than it is very hard to deal with and especially hard on senior citizens, in whom, it seems, it is quite common.

I would greatly appreciate any info you could supply me. I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, one has to suffer through this with no medications to make them "go away."

Lois Uzelac
Valparaiso, Indiana

Dear Reader: If I had shingles, I would consider taking safe and inexpensive supplements of an amino acid called 1-lysine. Increasing lysine in one's diet might prevent a shingles attack or lessen its severity if the painful condition occurs, I do believe.

Since the mid-1980s, we have written about research on using lysine for cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. We have also published letters from Post readers who report that lysine therapy helps reduce symptoms of shingles and chronic fatigue syndrome, conditions linked to other herpesviruses.

Herpes researcher Christopher Kagan, M.D., of Kaiser Permanente in California explains that herpes DNA uses the amino acid 1-arginine to replicate itself and form a virus. Early studies using laboratory cultures demonstrated that 1-arginine was necessary for herpes growth. It soon became clear that another amino acid, 1-lysine, blocked the bioavailability of arginine.

Lysine probably works best when it is combined with dietary changes that restrict levels of arginine. To do this, cut down on gelatin, chocolate, peanuts, and almonds. Foods high in lysine include dairy products, vegetables, beans, fish, turkey, and chicken.

Prescription antiviral medicines--including Zovirax (acyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir), and Valtrex (valacyclovir)--may help speed healing and reduce shingles pain if taken within the first 72 hours of symptoms. Lidocaine skin patches are helpful in some cases.

To receive a list of the lysine and arginine contents in common foods, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to "Medical Mailbox," 1100 Waterway Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202.