Any tips for trapped nerve pain please ?

[Tinkerbellx]

I'm a long time sufferer of arthritis and every few years have a flare up in my neck where I have disc compression .
This causes excruciating pain down my arm and neck and it last for weeks sometimes months .
This time it's so bad I decided to take all the pain relief advised but nothing is working .
Brufen has given me gastritis .
Codeine has made me too woozy to function and didn't touch the pain anyway .
Amitriptyline I was allergic too .
What's left !
I have a heat pad and physio booked but this is just unbearable .
In trying to juggle a full time demanding job , being a single parent and the driving which hurts the most .
Realistically I have no help so can't just put my feet up and rest as I have children ( although they are totally brilliant and helping ) but I don't know how much longer I can continue like this .
Any tips on managing this pain if you ve had similar ?
Or has anyone had the surgery as I've never considered it but now I'll try anything .
Many thanks .

[lyrebird1]

Hi, I have neuropathic pain, and neck pain caused by a spinal cord cyst. Sorry you are in so much pain. There are lots of options for you though. For neuropathic pain specifically, duloxetine, pregabalin, gabapentin and nortriptyline are all things your GP can prescribe. It is all trial and error really as to what helps/doesn't have horrible side effects.

With NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, you could try taking a stomach protector such as omeprazole to prevent the stomach problems, or some types are better for the stomach - your GP would be the best person to ask. You could ask for a mild muscle relaxant too because it is likely you are holding the muscles tense, even if it is just until you get started with the physio.

Long term, I would ask for a referral to pain management. They might offer some intermediate solutions between pills and surgery, such as steroid injections. I have had surgery. Mine was a lot more involved than discectomy, but it took much longer to recover from than I expected. I hope you get some useful advice from someone who has had/considered the surgery you are thinking of.