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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Trapped nerve in neck is the absolute worst.

29 replies

ssssskssskchee · 25/05/2025 10:22

Has anyone else had a pinched nerve in the neck / cervical radiculopathy?

2 weeks ago I suddenly woke up with shoulder pain which over a few days worsened to left arm weakness, loss of strength in the arm, awful nerve pain throughout my arm and shoulder, pins and needles etc.

Saw the physio who diagnosed a trapped nerve in my neck and both the physio and GP all said it would be anything from 4 to 12 weeks for recovery and I have to rest the nerve.

I'm slightly better with the aid of Amitriptyline although I’m groggy and exhausted. The pain is slightly more manageable. I’m not working or driving and I’m counting down the days till this is better.

has anyone been through it and got any words of advice? Or success stories to get me through?

OP posts:
hoopyvest · 25/05/2025 10:27

I had a slipped disc in my neck with referred pain down my arm, and pins and needles in my fingers. So not exactly the same as you, but the consultant told me it would clear up in 12 weeks and he was spot on.

They were a very uncomfortable 12 weeks, so I appreciate what you are going through. The only comfort I can offer is that there will be an end to it and it won't be something you have to live with permanently.

eatsleeplaugh · 25/05/2025 10:29

I had the very same thing last year, I was off work for 6 weeks. The pain was intense. I had a mix of cocodamol, gabapetin and diazapam for night times. I had to sleep sitting up. It takes time to heal, find a really good series to watch, order some nice things to eat, alternating between hot and cold packs helped me. I needed help around the house so I hope you have someone to help you. It will go away eventually, I woke up one day and the pain was gone. I still have some weakness in my left arm and need to prop it up when relaxing at home. Currently doing some weight training to help build the muscle back up. I wish you a speedy recovery. Take care.

Original poster
ssssskssskchee · 25/05/2025 10:57

Thank you both - that is reassuring.

@eatsleeplaugh did you find you had any weird feelings in your other arm and feet? I’ve got all the textbook pains in my left arm and shoulder but every now and again I feel like I’ve got a bit of pins and needles in my right fingers and feet - but I almost think I’m imagining it as I notice it when I’m worried the most about what’s going on.

I have help at home and podding through each day - mainly watching tv!

OP posts:
mustytrusty · 25/05/2025 11:03

This is truly the worst pain I've ever experienced OP, so I have sympathy. If possible try to see a physiotherapist. I ended up going private but it was the best £160 I've ever spent. Managed to alleviate it with exercise and gentle manipulation. Worth a try!

raffegiraffe · 25/05/2025 11:04

Hi, I had this last year. Went to GP at month 4 and started naproxen and amitriptyline. 2 months later it was much better. MRI showed wear and tear both sides and bone spurs. Have never got back the normal sensation in my fingers and it plays up at times but not as bad as last may.
Also have numb/ fuzzy feet. Bloods showed low ferritin so I'm supplementing but it's not much better. I worry about chronic neurological conditions but think it could just be age

Original poster
ssssskssskchee · 25/05/2025 11:12

mustytrusty · 25/05/2025 11:03

This is truly the worst pain I've ever experienced OP, so I have sympathy. If possible try to see a physiotherapist. I ended up going private but it was the best £160 I've ever spent. Managed to alleviate it with exercise and gentle manipulation. Worth a try!

Thank you - yes luckily saw physio quickly who also temporarily reduced pain with traction but not sustained unfortunately. I have follow up appointments coming up.

OP posts:
Original poster
ssssskssskchee · 25/05/2025 11:13

raffegiraffe · 25/05/2025 11:04

Hi, I had this last year. Went to GP at month 4 and started naproxen and amitriptyline. 2 months later it was much better. MRI showed wear and tear both sides and bone spurs. Have never got back the normal sensation in my fingers and it plays up at times but not as bad as last may.
Also have numb/ fuzzy feet. Bloods showed low ferritin so I'm supplementing but it's not much better. I worry about chronic neurological conditions but think it could just be age

Thank you. I was just looking up side effects of amitriptyline and numbness / pins and needles in hands / feet are common so that might have something to do with it?

OP posts:
dontcomeatme · 25/05/2025 11:13

My OH had this and it kept coming back again and again, she eventually needed a steroid injection in the nerve, ultrasound guided and thankfully the pain hasn't returned since!

CagneyNYPD1 · 25/05/2025 11:15

I had this exactly 10 years ago! Woke up with it one morning and it got worse throughout the day. Until I ended up in A&E because the pain was so bad and quite scary.

It did take about 2 months to settle and heal enough for me to return to work properly. I was advised to rest as rushing the recovery would risk permanent damage to the nerve. It was really tough as I was a teacher with my own young dc at the time.

I was on Amytriptaline for a good 6 months. I had private physio while waiting for NHS physio. My private physio also did acupuncture and that helped. Alternating hot and cold packs for pain relief and to reduce swelling was useful. Taking the maximum painkillers each day to keep on top of the pain.

I was prescribed Naproxen which helped a bit. And diazepam to help with the nights. Naproxen can be bought from the pharmacy counter at Boots but they sell it as Boots Period Pain tablets and you have to confirm that you are using it for period pain.

You must rest and not rush. It’s horrible but I will get better. Netflix is your friend here.

10 years on and I still get the odd numbness in my index finger and thumb when I am overly tired. I take that as a warning sign to go easy for a few days.

I am also very careful with lifting heavy bags, good posture, stretching exercises etc.

Itsallsostressful · 25/05/2025 11:17

Oh yes OP I suffered dreadfully from this last year. Physio ordered x rays as concerned there was calcification. There wasn't just inflammation. Still get numb thumb now. One of the only pains I have cried with.

CagneyNYPD1 · 25/05/2025 11:18

Oh and the Amytriptaline definitely made me feel quite twitchy in my legs, feet and arms. Quite an odd sensation but I took that to mean that it was doing its job.

LakieLady · 25/05/2025 11:59

I suffered for a couple of years, physio didn't help at all. A really good chiropractor sorted it out, but it took around 4 months of regular sessions. I'm happy to say it never came back.

It is really bloody painful, and I feel for you OP.

eatsleeplaugh · 25/05/2025 14:18

Yes, my whole left arm down to the hands felt numb and pins and needles in fingers. It does get better over time, if the physio gave you exercises to do these will help too.

Original poster
ssssskssskchee · 25/05/2025 15:50

Thanks everyone. Awful that everyone else has suffered too but sort of comforting. I’m bedding in for the long haul and watching endless tv as comfortably as possible….

OP posts:
WhitWhoop · 25/05/2025 17:29

I’ve had this. Truly awful. I have quite high pain tolerance but trapped nerve in neck floored me.

Mine took 2 months to be tolerable, and finally stopped hurting 6 months in.

Cause was narrowing of spinal gap due to age. Surgery possible but very hard core.

Opted to wait and see, and it has not recurred in two years thankfully.

ploshbug · 03/06/2025 14:28

Sorry to hear that op. My friend experienced the same after her commute into work caused by sleeping in an upright position. She was not feeling well for two full weeks and then it started to really get better then. I think she took some very strong painkillers for 3 weeks, called the GP, only to be scheduled for NHS physio in 6-8 weeks. She couldn't wait so reached out to her nearby private physio. Definitely helped loads. It will get better, hang in there.

Swellingtonboots · 15/12/2025 20:24

ssssskssskchee · 25/05/2025 10:22

Has anyone else had a pinched nerve in the neck / cervical radiculopathy?

2 weeks ago I suddenly woke up with shoulder pain which over a few days worsened to left arm weakness, loss of strength in the arm, awful nerve pain throughout my arm and shoulder, pins and needles etc.

Saw the physio who diagnosed a trapped nerve in my neck and both the physio and GP all said it would be anything from 4 to 12 weeks for recovery and I have to rest the nerve.

I'm slightly better with the aid of Amitriptyline although I’m groggy and exhausted. The pain is slightly more manageable. I’m not working or driving and I’m counting down the days till this is better.

has anyone been through it and got any words of advice? Or success stories to get me through?

Hi,

how are you getting on now and how long did it last? I’ve been suffering for over 2 weeks now and nothing is helping.

Cherrycola4 · 15/12/2025 20:35

I had similar. Went on for around 9 weeks and was extremely painful, comparable with labour pains. Eventually I saw a physiotherapist who massaged it and the pain went away within 24 hours.

Nearly50omg · 15/12/2025 20:38

Go and see an osteopath and get it sorted?!? No need for this ridiculous drama and painkillers etc - just go and get it put back into place

Swellingtonboots · 15/12/2025 20:43

Nearly50omg · 15/12/2025 20:38

Go and see an osteopath and get it sorted?!? No need for this ridiculous drama and painkillers etc - just go and get it put back into place

I saw an osteopath last week and worry he’s made it worse. Near constant pins and needles now

Flannelfeet · 15/12/2025 20:45

I had this last summer. I went to a&e as I was convinced i was having a heart attack 😬

Original poster
ssssskssskchee · 15/12/2025 20:55

Swellingtonboots · 15/12/2025 20:24

Hi,

how are you getting on now and how long did it last? I’ve been suffering for over 2 weeks now and nothing is helping.

Show quote history

Hi, I was off work for about 6 weeks while the nerve calmed and healed. It took a further few months to completely go but much less painful. All the nerve pain is gone now but I have a really weak / rotator cuff wear and tear shoulder which is really common after radiculopathy. During the nerve injury, I completely rested as directed. Did everything I could to let it heal which worked. Ice and heat helped too.

OP posts:
Swellingtonboots · 15/12/2025 21:08

ssssskssskchee · 15/12/2025 20:55

Hi, I was off work for about 6 weeks while the nerve calmed and healed. It took a further few months to completely go but much less painful. All the nerve pain is gone now but I have a really weak / rotator cuff wear and tear shoulder which is really common after radiculopathy. During the nerve injury, I completely rested as directed. Did everything I could to let it heal which worked. Ice and heat helped too.

Show quote history

Oh wow 😮 that’s such a long time. I’m looking forward to breaking up on work Friday! I was hoping it might be gone for Xmas. I’ve self referred to physio today on the advice of the GPs receptionist who didn’t think I needed an appointment to be examined by the doctor.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 15/12/2025 21:10

Ive had this, the weakness and pain in my arm was horrendous.

I had 6 weeks off work and used a hot water bottle on my neck a lot.

I now do Pilates once a week and this seems to keep my neck on an even keel, if I don’t go for a few weeks I start to get the pain down my arm again.

tempname1234 · 15/12/2025 21:56

Yes. I did. It got so bad that I had to walk holding my arm with my other arm. Thankfully I was able to see a physio (privately, was not too expensive) for treatment. She did give me a sling fur the first week as well as exercises/stretching. It did take a while to get better. I would tell you I stretch every day to ensure it doesn’t happen again.