Chronic pain - now barely able to use arm

[Orangesandlemons82]

I am currently having various tests including an MRI scan on Friday to find out the cause of my joint and spine problems. The issue with my neck seems to have caused nerve pain down my left arm and I can now barely move my arm. It has got considerably worse over the last few days. Tramadol, gabapentin and nortriptyline arent touching it. Heat is helping a little. I'm scared that whatever is causing It will permanently damage the arm and I am going to be left with permanent damage to my arm. Has anyone had any experience with this? Did your arm recover or do I need to push for something to be done quicker if the nerve is at risk of permanent damage. The joint and spine problems were bad enough but I can't live with this too.

Are you having mri privately? I have similar problems with two different possible diagnosis but they won't mri on nhs and say I need to wait 8 weeks for improvement first.

@cansu I have had problems for quite a while so in the end I paid to see a rheumatologist privately. She arranged for blood tests, x-ray and MRI with the NHS and then will review me privately with the results. Once whatever it is stabilised she will follow me up in the NHS clinic. Seeing her privately initially has sped up the process massively.

I'm no expert at all but I'm not sure what you can do until you get the results and you know best course of action. Must be very scary and terrible for you.

If you want a moan please join us on this thread CHRONIC PAIN - share your moans and achievements www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4188376-chronic-pain-share-your-moans-and-achievements

Steroid injections in my shoulder have helped immeasurably.
I have sero negative arthritis and also seem to have trouble with trapped nerves.
Have a look at impingement- a simple shot of hydrocortisone into the joint is very effective (plus co codamol, Celebrex and hydroxychloroquine )

I have had shoulder/neck/upper arm pain for years, something that helps me is too bend forward and dangle arm downwards then swing round clockwise then anti clockwise 15 - 20 times in each direction several times a day. I do this when the other exercises are too painful to do

Had all this - issues with the spine radiate out - although people talk about "trapped nerves" that is NOT what's happening - you needn't worry about nerve damage! It's just muscular - I say "just" but I know how painful and immobilising it can be.

First thing is identifying whether your back is actually damaged or not - e.g. slipped disc which the scan will do.

Thank you all. I have just had the MRI scan so am hoping it shows what the problem is.

Orangesandlemons82
Can you tell me what they scanned? Was it just the cervical spine? I am considering a private MRI and need to get the right part scanned. My symptoms are very similar and the c7 nerve seems to be indicated. I don't want to pay for wrong bit to be scanned!

@cansu it was cervical spine. I think these symptoms can come from C6/7 area. They also did sacral and lumbar but that was done because I have known osteoarthritis there which seems to have worsened. I hope you get to the bottom of your pain too.

Thanks for that. It is just horrendous. I feel like my life is completely on hold.

@cansu I know exactly what you mean. I hope you manage to get a scan. Generally if you are happy to pay, they are happy to do it. I will let you know what the outcome is of mine. Fingers crossed we can both be fixed.

@cansu how are you getting on? Did you manage to get a private scan? I haven't had the results yet from mine but did have a physio appointment who gave me some exercises to do to try and regain strength and movement in my arm.

Hi Orangesandlemons82
I didn't get the scan as I started on a drug called Gabapentin. It has made a massive difference to my pain. I feel I can function now and wait for the referral on the NHS. Have you tried this? It is apparently good for nerve pain.

@cansu that's brilliant news! I have a prescription for it but have been put off taking it by hearing stories of the weight gain associated with it. However, I think I'm at the point where I can't go on like this and need to be able to move for the Easter holidays. I have been prescribed 900mg in 3 divided doses with the option to double that if needed.What dose have you found effective? I think at least for the short term I should start taking it.

I started on 100mg three times a day and then doubled that the second week so am now on 600mg. I have also been told it can go up more. It has been a game changer. I have been able to return to work and it has made such a huge difference. I read about the weight gain but then also fell on a study that suggested it was really only in a small proportion of people. I also felt that as it would be temporary, it would be worth it. The pain is now an ache at most. I have also been able to stop the morphine and other heavy duty stuff. I am now on just the gabapentin and naproxen.

Its back. I got up later than usual and had excruciating pai . Have taken load of painkillers and gabapentin and am waiting for it to kick in. This really illustrates that I am not getting better. It all just masks the pain.

Oh no @cansu that's so disappointing. I wonder if something has changed in your back/neck that has made it suddenly come back so badly? Do you think you can manage today or is it an out of hours Dr you need?

@cansu just reread - you got up later than usual, but still, just taking a dose a bit later shouldn't make it that bad should it?

I don't know. It is easing off now. I have taken three gabapentin and a naproxen. It was more or less pain free yesterday and for several days but I have been taking stuff as soon as I woke and every three to four hours. I am beginning to think that nothing has really changed. Painkillers just masking symptoms really.

When do you get your mri results? How are you doing with the pain?

Could it be PMR? All pain can be eliminated and movement regained with high dose steroids which is also the only was to diagnose for sure. Many doctors will say it cant be this if you are under 50 or if bloods dont show raised markers but this is not true. Maybe 20% of those affected dont show in bloods and you can be younger.

sledgeski
what is PMR? I haven't heard of this? I haven't had any blood tests.

I had this. Pain in arm and shoulder ( horrific nerve relentless pain). It was diagnosed after the MRI to be a slipped disc ( at 5/6 level ).

I had to have the disc taken out and the space that resulted, packed with a bit of bone taken from my hip.

All the pain in my arm went as soon as I woke up from the operation.

It sounds very much like a slipped disc in your neck level.

Griffo
That sounds horrendous but I am glad it was successful. I keep being told to be patient and that it is completely fine to wait until 8 weeks to have any MRI. Did this get diagnosed and treated quickly for you?

auto immune condition Polymyalgia rheumatica. Why havent you had bloods?