trapped nerve pain?

[prendi]

Has anyone on here had a trapped nerve in the shoulder or anywhere else,and can you tell me if it is very painful and what is the treatment of it ?thanks.

[jackthehat]

Very.
Acupuncture and manipulation/massage helped.
Which nerve is trapped ?

[classylady60]

Yes I have trapped nerves in my upper arms, both very painful but as JtH has said, acupunture is good and really helps. It did me until I fell over, put my arms out to save myself and it made it much worse...sigh.

[prendi]

we think it is the one coming from c5/c6 vertebrae,he has been in pain for nearly 3 months now but the painkillers are not working very well.he had an mri scan last week but we are waiting for the results,which take 2 weeks.i have read about suprascapula neuritis which sounds exactly like what he has got,but he just needs diagnosing.the doc has also suggested physio too.

[jackthehat]

Righto...........

How is it manifesting itself ?

[anneasquith]

a friend gets treatment from a chiropractor.

[prendi]

Jack he started with a painful left shoulder,went to the docs,he gave him Tramadol,didnt work so he told him to take paracetemol at the same time,didnt work so he told him to take Gabapentin,a drug for epilepsy??? and nerve pain.He used to get pins and needles down the arm into his hand at first but that has subsided now.So he is on all 3 tablets for the pain but isnt completely pain free yet.He also feels sick most of the time ,i think it is a concoction of the pills thats doing it.i just cant wait for the results to come thru ,i need some answers now,the doc just keeps giving him different tabs just to shut him up im sure!

[arwyn]

I have had trapped nerve pain for over 30 years (on and off). The best thing I'v found (I'v tried everything) is a tens machine, if You can find the wright spots on the shoulder blade it will free the nerve.

[jackthehat]

I had a course of physio at local out-patients department of hospital.

I found a TENS machine useful, too..........

No tablets were prescribed for this but as I also had ruptured lumbar disc and associated pain at the same time......that could explain it. :o)

Massage of muscle/nerve complex from neck to shoulder (by willing partner) also brought blessed relief.........

[DTCwordfan]

I have a trapped nerve from an old accident - I slipped on Autumn leaves 16 years ago and get a flare up every 4 to 5 years....

The pain doesnt have to be in the left shoulder in my case, it comes out more in the left upper arm, left upper side...some times I get a tweak in the lower left side beneath the elbow and down towards the wrist...that is the nerve "speaking"

Here in the UK they have had me on an anti-inflammatory and while it has helped it has not cured it and I am now back on the paracetemol or IBF to counter the pain (just 2 times once a day) - in fact as I type, I can feel it. Driving is the most uncomfortable activity and I do find some "tweaking" to weather conditions, esp humidity.

Treatment in the past, well a hot water bottle with near on boiling water, laid across the shoulder (BUT with a towel between the bottle and the skin to diffuse the heat) has helped and then massage. More recently the American doctor (highly respected) nailed it very quickly with a 5then4then3+2+1 course of a steroid. UK doctors are more conservative or dont like to spend the money.

Suspect next week I am back in - meantime for you, hot baths (or the hot water bottle treatment) plus paracetemol or IBF - I wouldnt go above 3 tablets...but then I am not a doctor - so my recommendation is wrapped in Caveat Emptor.

Hope this helps

[prendi]

thanks DT for the info,he has had a hot water bottle on it and it does help,its just the tablets i am worried about ,the side effects and the fact that he has to withdraw from them gradually, if he can ever get off them,heres hoping!thanks again.

[classyaquarianla]

Any ideas about how one can cope with this? I try to always sit up straight, I try to walk tall, I try to do a lot of stretching and now I am considering wearing a back brace to help me remain straight as not been young, on my way to 70years, well I find it difficult to stay straight all the time. Ideas welcomed.

[Sqad]

<<<we think it is the one coming from c5/c6 vertebrae>>>

Who is "we?"

You need an MRI scan.

[prendi]

We ,Sqad, is my husband and I and the consultant,we are awaiting the results of his mri scan.

[Sqad]

prendi....thanks......any further treatment after pain killers will depend upon the result of the scan. Keep us informed.

[lilacben]

Every now and again without any warning I get a sharp pain from my ear to my shoulder. It feels like an elastic band has just been snapped. At the time it makes me really jump and hurts.

[prendi]

thought i'd keep you updated.my husbands scan showed that there is a bit of arthritis in his shoulder,a trapped nerve and most of the pain is coming from the c5/c6 in his neck and it is referring the pain into his shoulder??Still on the tramadol and gabapentin,now having physio each week,when she pressed on his neck he felt a little relief in his shoulder,Any way glad its not anything sinister which we were worried about.thanks for all the info.