Pain in side of neck - think trapped nerve - cant see GP help!

[Whatdoesitmatteranyway]

Four years ago I pulled my shoulder and ended up with a trapped nerve – lasted months.

Last Friday I woke up with the same pain down my shoulder. I think it was caused by sleeping on too many pillows when I fell asleep watching TV.

The shoulder has eased but I now have a concentrated pain on the right side of my neck. I can’t raise my head or turn it to the right (I Can turn it left) very quickly – if I do, the pain is so intense the room spins and I want to vomit.

I’ve phoned the GP surgery who don’t have an appointment for 3 weeks. Its not classed as an emergency so no guaranteed on the day appointment. The best I can do is phone at 8am each day and see if I can get a general on the day appointment. Except I work 260 miles from home. I’m self employed so don’t get paid if I take time off. It’s therefore practically impossible to get an appointment as if I take a day off to be at home there is no guarantee I’ll get one.

I’m taking neurofen plus and solpadeine max together to get close the same amount of codeine I was prescribed last time. It just about takes the edge off to the point where I’m not in danger of passing out but I can’t go on like this.

Anyone got any idea on anything I can try/do/take – other than get my head chopped off which might at least solve it.

I haven’t slept for three nights as everytime I roll over I scream with pain.

It doesn't really sound like you are fit for work, especially 260 miles away...

Could you try to get an appointment with a private physio or osteopath? I'm lucky enough to see a physio regularly and he can usually make a massive difference to that kind of can't-move-your-head neck pain in one session. I've got almost instant improvement in back pain from treatment with a good osteopath too.

You could also try voltarol gel or a hot or cold gel and/or heat pad/hwb, or one of those wheat bags you heat in the microwave. If find heat helps a lot with that type of pain.

For the meds, you should be able to safely add a bit extra ibuprofen, especially if you can get hold of some omeprazole to protect your stomach. I think this is available otc. A prescription dose of ibuprofen can be 600mg 4x a day, just saying . I have found that a 600mg dose makes a difference when a 400mg dose doesn't. Make sure you take with food and stop if any stomach discomfort.

Sorry you are in so much pain. Nerve pain is the worst.

You work 260 miles from home?? That's a very long way. Do you drive that every day?

Could you just go to A&E? I did that with severe pain, it was the only solution. You could try explaining your situation to the doctor's receptionist, if you beg they might have sympathy and book you in ahead.

Don't chop your head off. There is probably a healthier solution.

Nerve pain is awful but tbh a GP probably won't be much help. Can you afford an appointment with a private physio? I have an old injury to my back and get flare ups - I never go to the GP, I just book in with the physio. One or two visits sorts it no problem!

The one I go to is about £40 a session but if you can afford it then it's worth every penny. There are cheaper ones though.

Also, someone else suggested A&E but again they won't be able to do anything and it isn't really an A&E problem.

Hope you get sorted soon!

I seen to go through this every 18mt to 2 yrs
Heat patches - (really cheap from wicks or the £1 shop)
Medication - will the doctor prescribe over the phone? I had codine/diazepam & naproxen all prescribed on a triage type phone call with the nurse & it still hurt but I felt warm & fuzzy & sleepy which was better than the pain. I would go to A&E if I had to - over the counter dosent really touch it.
Stretch & stretch more it really helps the phsio has me doing stuff like this I'm still doing a simplified version of my program to try to build up the muscles & hopefully stop it happening again