Aibu in thinking this pain is permanent?

[linnyb71]

Hi all.don't know if this is the right place for this but im desperate need of a hand hold and some sympathy i guess so please be gentle with me.I am in a lot of pain with a trapped nerve in my right shoulder.up until about 3 days ago i was coping okay and pain was at a manageable level.however now its awful.its bearable when sitting or laying down and walking and standing ease it too .the problem is when i try to get up from a sitting or laying down position.i get excruciating pain shooting down my arm and leg then the muscles in my hand and foot clench up into claws and i cant bend them.this lasts for about 1 to 2 minutes wach time it happens.its getting so that im afraid to sit or lay down because i know its going to be agony when i stand up again..i spent most of today standing in my kitchen but i cant go on like this.got a telephone appointment with the doctor on tuesday but i am nearly at my wits end with the pain.what if there is nothing he can do?will i just be like this forever?any help or suggestions to relieve the awful muscle cramps much appreciated.

I've had physio for my trapped nerve in my neck/shoulder in the past 18 months btw. Keep chasing the GP for a referral.

They can prescribe something for neuropathic pain. I think I had gabapentin. Although it was through a consultant, I'm not sure if it's a GP prescription. Diazepam might also stop any associated muscle spasm.

I am literally in the same position as you!

GP prescribed amitriptyline and cocodamol
And diazepam. And to take ibuprofen regularly. The regular part is important to maintain therapeutic level.

I’ve got nearly no problems in range of movement, but the pain... oh my god it was like something I have never felt before. Take your breath away pain.

Luckily I’ve got physio cover through work, so have booked some for next week.
It’s inflammation around the nerve root at your vertebrae.

I’ve got a numb thumb, index finger and middle finger. Forearm and elbow pain. This is all referred pain. It’s had a huge impact on my last two weeks so i can sympathise.

Hopefully the GO will sort you out with painkillers to start and physio if needed

I had severe shoulder pain last year (I do lots of lifting in my job), didn't have spasms, but couldn't lift my arm at all really. The doc prescribed me codeine but regular ibuprofen actually worked better. Probably a decent antiinflammatory or as others have suggested, something for nerve pain. Definitely ask the doc to prescribe some proper pain relief, and just rest as much as possible. Like back pain, it's often better to stay active but shoulder pain I think benefits from rest and a bit of immobilisation.

Aww im so touched by all the responses and the fantastic advice i have had.I feel much less alone and you have all given me so much hope. To all those of you who are suffering at the moment or who have endured this pain in the past i truly emphatise with you all and hope we all feel better soon. Lots of love and thanks again.xx

@linnyb71

Hi seashells 11.Did the doc give you anything for the pain or did it go away by itself?How long did your symptoms last?I am glad you are feeling better. Xx

Sorry for not replying sooner. I had ibrufrofen but it didn't help that much. I'd say the really bad pain lasted about 2 or 3 months then it gradually started to get better. At the time I thought it'd never go, but it did.x

Again thanks everyone.your support means a lot.lying in bed wide awake scared to move in case it sets off the cramp again.i had a really bad episode of cramps about 2 hours ago when i reached for my drink on the bedside table. Was my fault though as i must have jerked my bad side reaching for it.dreading needing the toilet cos i know its gonna be agony moving.though i went to the bathroom about 3 hours ago after having been in bed for a while and had no pain at all when i got up.does this mean i am on the mend?

Hi, I totally sympathise as had a trapped nerve in my back at the end of last week. After 2 days (and zero sleep) I was in such a dark place, as literally could not move without my whole back spasming. To top it off, I am 10 weeks pregnant and have horrific nausea - every time I retched I would scream in agony. Being pregnant also meant all I could take was Panadol, which did fuck all.

I took myself off to a physio (not in the UK and had to pay for this privately) and she did something to my back which gave 80% relief. She also showed me some exercises to do at home and now a week later, I am 95% recovered.

For me, the thing that REALLY helped was applying ice - so just an ice pack, wrapped in a tea towel. Give it a try.

Good luck, I know how completely horrendous this pain is, but it won't be forever.

Hi primeravez.thankyou so much.and soery to hear you were in so much pain especially being pregnant.must have been horrendous. I will give the ice a try.have tried a heat pack but it didnt do much.willing to try anything at this point.had a bad attack of cramp when trying to get to the loo a couple of hours ago went to grab the wardrobe for support and fell onto it breaking it.laid on the floor crying and calling out 4 my daughter .managed to crawl back to bed.now im lying here crying again.cos im so scared to move.i just want it to stop.

Keep the ibuprofen going, it's an anti inflammatory and has a cumulative effect. You can take the cocodamol alongside it for the pain.
You need to go to a walk in or call nhs for advice. A physiotherapist could be an alternative in your area.

Hi how wonderful.no i havent had bloods done.a friend said they had similar cramps and was down to low potassium.Am waiting for a call back from docs so fingers crossed it will be sorted soon.i cant stand much more of this.thankyou for the advice.much appreciated.xx

Hi sadder than eeyore.thankyou for your message.am currently waiting for a call back from doc.hopefully they will sort me out soon.xxx

@linnyb71

Hi dogs sausages.The pharmacist said about a steroid injection but warned it is very painful and may not work.The sling is a good idea as earlier all i did was go to pick my keys up off the stairs and automatically used my right arm without thinking as i am right handed and it set the cramps off again.x

If it makes you feel any better, I've had a number of steroid injections in various joints as I've had arthritis since a child. Honestly, they are nothing to worry about, the simple ones are no different to any other injection.

The only painful one I've had was when I was seven and they tried to drain the swelling from various "pockets" around my knee joint before they gave the steroid injection. For some reason, the doctor persuaded me not to have a local anaesthetic first - I look back now I have kids and wonder why my mum and I agreed to that!

Hope you feel better soon and get some help from your gp.

I had the claw hand, well both hands actually, many years ago. It wasn't pleasant. I didn't go to the doctor because where I live, not UK, they mess you around with multiple appointments, injections etc. which cost and do not always solve the problem.
My first resort was to find a good reflexology practitioner. Went along, did not mention my issues, she started the process and midway asked me if I had been having the problems I had been having - she was very good. Anyway a couple of sessions cured me.
Clearly this is not possible at present, so a doctor's appointment seems to be a sensible idea, but worth bearing in mind for the future.
Personally, I would far rather start off with a non-traditional approach.

How are you today?

Hi guys.quick update ended up in hospital after symptoms got worse and 111 called an ambulance. Doctors are still running tests as im still having these episodes .they arw pretty sure its seizures of some kind.on anti convulsants painkillers and muscle relaxers. Still having the seizures though they are a bit further apart.they are trying different doses to see how i respond.just hope they get to the bottom of it soon.thanks to everyone for their support.will update again soon.xx