nerve causes
Usually, it's damage from a physical injury or disease. 1  Cancer and other tumors can cause nerve pain. 2  HIV can cause painful nerve damage. 3  Diabetes is a common cause of nerve damage in the U.S. Over time, high levels of glucose in the blood (blood sugar) can injure the nerves. Shingles can be followed by a painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia. This type of nerve pain can be particularly severe and sudden.