Trapped nerve hell

[OhBlissOhJoy]

I'm in so much pain!
I have a trapped nerve in my neck that is radiating pain through my shoulder and down my arm. Pain killers aren't touching it. Volterol offers slight relief. Have found some physio exercises which seemed to ease the first time I tried them but now too agonising to try again. Please help before I start taking the dog's tramadol

Could you afford to see a chiropractor? I went in desperation a few years ago with the same issue and it was more than worth it. Not an instant cure but absolutely helped.

Can you try and move your ear down to your shoulder? If you can then do that on both sides holding it for 10 seconds each side.

Is it a chiropractor I need to see? I've been told osteopath, chiropractor, sports massage, physiotherapist. Others up thread have suggested chiropractor too but I'm reluctant having seen a chiropractor in the past and ended up in more pain when I left! Don't want to make the wrong decision but will go if it is the right one!

I'm a bit wary of seeing one as it's risky with the neck - especially as you don't have a scan to go on. Physio is probably a better bet but you probably need symptoms to settle a bit. The Naproxen will hopefully take some of the inflammation down over the next couple of weeks

I recommend an osteopath whilst the cause is unknown as they're a lot gentler.

What side is the trapped nerve on? Try tilting your head to the opposite side so if your left arm is sore, told your head to the right.

Osteopath made me more sore, chiropractor gave almost instant relief; not cured but pain lessened

I know a couple of people who've had a good result with amitryptyline for ongoing nerve pain.

It's an anti depressant but has a secondary use for nerve pain (so I'm told). Maybe worth discussing with GP?

Naproxen will likely not help as it dels with inflammation not nerve pain (alth may help secondary inflammation) I already take 100mg amytriptaline for fibro along with diclofenic and codeine, and got diazepam for secondary muscle spasms; now have referral from dr in hopes of scan to check how best to help but I'm getting rely depressed at not being able to do anything and the constant dragging pain, so really hope you get some help / relief soon op as I know how horrid it is

Naproxen works wonders for this sort of pain for me. I have HMS and chronic neck and shoulder pain and a fist thing in the morning blast with co-codamol and naproxen helps me to loosen up and stop the ache from becoming a painful spasm (naproxen is better than other anti-inflammatories at dealing with spasms). At night I take amitriptyline wich knocks me out a bit and stops me from waking up at 3am crying because I can't get comfortable.

A lot of my sharp pain is in my left shoulder. Through trial and error, it's released slightly by using my right hand to push on the base of my skull, which makes something around my left shoulder click loudly and feel wonderfully free! And yes, I do tend to lean to the left a lot when I'm fatigued, so have to sit up and lean a bit to the right.

Sorry to bump this thread but the pain continues
Have been prescribed amitryptyline today, pick up the prescription tomorrow and hoping for better results. GP said it will take a few days to kick in and I'll be sleepy. But I didn't ask - should I take that as well as Naproxen or instead of?

Ask the pharmacist when you pick it up. They are the most educated on such things

Also, sleepy may well be right - amitryptiline knocks me out like a light if used now and again, but after a week or so of regular use those side effects go.

You can take both at same time, I've been prescribed both at one point alth found naproxen did sod all for me. I take 100mg amytriptaline and doesn't make me sleep which is damned annoying, does dull some of the pain though