As some of you may know I have multiple health issues, as I know many of you do. For the past year I have had severe neck pain, which then caused extremely severe occipital neuralgia. I am on 20 micrograms of Bu-trans patches at present, and waiting for a nerve block on Christmas Eve.
On Thursday I had a CT scan done of the blood vessels in my neck for a different reason. For the scan to be carried out properly, I obviously had to remove my collar, then lie flat and hold my neck in a variety of positions for several minutes at a time. This was agonising and I was shaking in pain, although I had made sure I had plenty of meds on board. It settled down a bit, but since the scan the pain has been worse, and nothing is shifting it. I am assuming that the position of my neck, irritated the nerves further. I have not managed to eat, and have been in tears for the past few hours.
My question is, does anybody think it is worth going to A&E with this, as the pain consultant stressed that chronic pain was treated differently from acute pain, and to start with I was to stick with the patches.
It is a cottage hospital where I live, which is manned by our GP's and two of them are right pillocks to put it mildly, and doubt they would even come out to the hospital.
Sorry, my mind is usually clear in this type of situation but now cannot think straight, and I really hate going to hospitals, so for me to consider it, is an indication of how bad I feel.
I know you are not doctors, but wondered if anyone has chronic pain, becoming worse and treated more aggressively for a day or two.
Thanks for reading, and for any help.
hugs from Huggs xx
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The worry being "have the contortions caused another nerve to become trapped"?
If this pain is not abating at all then you really do need their help. Regardless of how generally poor the local performance may be. It is that of another long trek to the mainland. Rib
I don't think another nerve got trapped, the prolonged contortions caused further irritation is what I am thinking. I should have seen about it earlier. I just know that during the scan it was awful, and although initially settled a bit, just flared up again. I know that before when they tried to give me physio the most gentle of exercise caused it to worsen considerably, but did not expect this. A friend who lives a few doors along has offered me valium to try and stop the muscle spasms in my neck, which would help one problem but not the resulting neuralgia. In fact she has not long phoned to tell me she has put a few in an envelope through my door, in case I change my mind, as earlier I said no.
Will have to work out whether to try them and if that helps one problem, then it might make it easier to cope with the other.
Sorry to spring this on you, and thanks for replying.
Whatever the reasons for this addotopnal ppain yoir normal meds are not helping. As such you should be able to get something 'extra; to settle it down.
When David has a bad flair up the duty doc comes out and gives him Diazapan jag or the like to kick it in to touch. (Used to be Pethadin ine years gone by but they won't cary that any more.)
It is what I call break through pain. You might need something different but Doc should be able to help.
Go for it and get those out of hours Island GPs earning their wages!
Thanks for replying and for your advice. I ended up taking 2 valium plus 2 tramadol, which helped a little bit, and through a combination of that and exhaustion dozed off for a time, only for it to awaken me. I know something like valium along with pain medication seems to accentuate the effects of the pain medication. If it returns as badly as last night, I will definitely phone for help, as there is no point in putting up with pain like that if it can be helped. I wasn't thinking clearly last night, so put up with it knowing that the out of service here is not good and I didn't want to end up inside.
I hope you get this as I am having massive problems with my laptop this morning as I did something to it last night while typing, and now am continually getting blockages, warnings that I need technical help from windows etc. I had two security threats which were dealt with but find it hard to access my account as all sorts of things are preventing me getting there.
Thanks again Pat, and will definitely get help if needed, and will try and talk to the consultant tomorrow too.
Contact the surgery and request a home visit. I get the drift that you live in awkward terrain? Perhaps if a doctor does the journey, they will respect how difficult things are for you.
Thanks for replying, but ended up taking valium and tramadol on top of patches which helped for a short time, which allowed me to doze off for a while. I live on an island which has a small cottage hospital and is manned by our GP's. Here, most of the GP's are reluctant to make home visits unless you are very elderly, and want you to go to the hospital which is our, out of hours centre. I will not let it get as bad again though, and will get help more quickly, as the longer pain goes on, the harder it is to control.
I too am on 20 microgram butrans patches. But I am also on tramadol, diazepam and diclofenac. call the Dr and get them to come and give you something but make sure it isn't a one off injection. If it works then you might need to carry on with if for a while until the pain subsides to its normal level.
It sounds hellish what you are going through, I wish you all the best and I hope it easies soon.
Thanks for replying, and you may have seen my above replies. I ended up taking valium and tramadol which allowed me to doze off for a short while. I have no intention of letting it get that bad again, and will contact the hospital or GP if necessary, and will talk to the consultant tomorrow.
Don't apologise and stop feeling apologetic. Show the docs that you are in more pain than you can manage. A few tears might help but don't be ashamed of them. People with chronic pain are copers but that sometimes works against us when we need help. I hope you get some soon. Honestly, you would think that docs working in isolated areas would need to have extra skills and training !!!
Thanks for replying and I know you are right about the coping side of things, as it all to easy to put on a face. The doctors here are not allowed to 'opt out' of the out of hours service, and tend to leave what they can to the nurses, and they most definitely do not get extra training!! I wish they did. I will get help more quickly though, should I need to again.
Agreed Huggs get in touch with the surgery and tell them you can't cope with the pain right now as it is worse since the scan and you need stronger pain relief. There is no shame in admitting that you can't manage the pain on this occasion. take care and look after your needs xx
Thanks for replying. I ended up taking valium and tramadol eventually, so that helped me doze off for a while. I will not go through that again though, and maybe letting the 'pillocks' seeing me at my worst will let them know just how bad it is.
I think the positions I had to go into for minutes at a time irritated the nerves further, well that is my theory anyway. I am presently sitting with ice packs on my head as well. Not a pretty sight.!!
Hi Hugs, I'm certainly no expert about your situation. The one suggestion I've got is can't you phone 111 I've phoned them in the past and they've been quite helpful. I see that service as expert advice without going into hostpital. I can understand you not wanting to go to hostpital I don't like to either. But please please!!!!! Don't sit there suffering when there's help out there. USE IT. Take care and rest.
Thanks for replying. Things are a bit more tolerable today, but will not let it get so out of control again.
I am not sure if we have 111 in Scotland. The usual procedure here is to contact NHS24 or go to A&E. I am certain that I will get help if it is so bad again as there is no point in putting up with things.
Sorry Hugs I didn't know you were in Scotland, I was just trying to think of a way of keeping you out of AE safely . But please don't put yourself under any pain and stress if you can avoid it. I know how you feel about AE if it's the same there as it is here,but please don't suffer,as someone said earlier make them earn there money. Big Hug
Thanks again, and I will definitely get help if needed again. I sometimes think that some doctors think the NHS exists for their benefit, and the patients needs come second. I know that is cynical, but these days doctors seem to do less and less, while getting paid more and more.
I totally agree, just think of it this way,without us they wouldn't have a Job. I had an appointment with my GP last week, I went in with my list of complaints/problems after I finnaly caught him out, I got what I needed. But it shouldn't be this way. My GP of the last 15yrs was forced into a group practice, he didn't like the way they operated so he retired,I ask him which GP out of 6of them would he recommend his answer was none. So at the moment Im trying them all, and all I'm getting is there all contradicting each other. So yep he was right, all a waste of time. When the patient knows more than the GP something's wrong there. Still we've got these forums and sometimes they can be more informative than my GP. Rant over.
I agree with everything you have said. We only have one practice on the island so that's it. My GP retired about 3 years ago and it is practically impossible to get continuity of care. For around two years there has been numerous locums as 2 GP's went on maternity leave, one after the other. One of the GP's left and one of the good locums returned full time. Great I thought, someone I can relate to, and doesn't mind being questioned, and listens to my own suggestions, even if she doesn't agree with me, she will listen. That makes me more confident with her she has stated that she wished more patients were pro-active. Now she has gone on maternity leave and two more have left, so its all change again. Throughout all of this, the two absolute pillocks remain!!!!
It is a constant struggle and battle at times, just to get your basic rights at times.
I have learned far more from forums than I have from any GP. My rant over now as well!!!
Hi Huggs, I increase my tramadol and it makes me sleep for a while which gives relief if only short lived. Now that's what I call fighting talk to make them see you at your worst, and is often the only thing that tips the scale, so keep that fighting blood flowing in case you need it soon. Who cares what we look like if the pack works. Enjoy the rest of your day will speak again soon xx
it is as I thought, lots of us in chronic pain tend to avoid 'being a nuisance' or 'bothering' people , whether over years or in the short term, so much so, that we can't always recognise our own limits. There is no defeat in admitting it's gone beyond what our fortitude can cope with. And this gives me my xmas card for you all.
May we all have a calm and loving christmas holiday. May the odd glass not hinder or confuse the meds or our balance. And may 2015 strengthen our muscles and resolutions.
Huggs, do you know that plain old paracetamol expedites and improves your body's uptake of some pain meds? It's worth checking as it could be a simple solution to getting more out of your meds.
I have been trying for around 45 minutes to reply to you, but keep having computer and internet problems as well.
I do know about paracetamol, but unfortunately there is a lot of meds I cannot take due to side effects or interactions with other meds. Paracetamol and codeine being just two. I do not even tolerate opiates well but have strong anti sickness tablets now, so they help.
Thanks again for thinking of a solution for me and taking the time to reply. It is very much appreciated.
I wonder if you have given D.M.S.O (Dimethylsulphoxide) a try for pain relief? It is a natural product derived from wood pulp and as such has none of the horrible side effects of prescription medicines. It is available at very reasonable cost on Amazon along with books that describe its use. It can be rubbed on to affected areas and also taken by mouth so long as food grade DMSO is used. There is also a DMSO support group on Yahoo. I have found it very helpful for relieving chronic pain and it also cured carpal tunnel syndrome. Another useful technique for all manner of pain and disease is Emotional Freedom Technique known as E.F.T. or simply as tapping. There is plenty of information on the internet about it and once you have learned the basics, it can be self applied in minutes often with miraculous results. A session or two with an EFT practitioner will get you going quickly. Another therapy that often gives astonishing results is the Bowen Technique which is a light touch therapy. There are Bowen practitioners easily found via your local Yellow Pages and I would highly recommend it. Anything is worth trying to relieve your suffering. I really feel for you and hope this will help you and anybody else out there who is looking for solutions. I wish you good luck on your healing journey. Every lock has a key. It's just a matter of finding it.
Thanks very much for replying and for all the advice offered. I have not heard of DMSO, but will certainly look into it, as anything is worth a try. I will also check out the EFT technique and the Bowen one. I live on an island though so it is unlikely that I will find practitioners locally, although I do know a couple of people who will know more about it than me.
I am looking forward to finding alternative solutions as well as meds, as it is a bit unrealistic for me anyway, to find a cure, but if doing various other alternatives help, then that would be a fantastic result for me.
I am booked in for a nerve block on Christmas Eve, so not long to wait now.
If you are on Skype it should be easy enough to do EFT sessions online via Skype or even by telephone so the world is your oyster! Many practitioners work like that nowadays, although for Bowen sessions you would need to see a practitioner one to one. Good luck with the nerve block. That will give you a breather rather than a permanent solution so it's as well to have other alternative management plans to hand for as and when needed. Miracles happen every day so don't discount the possibility of a cure. Our bodies are in a constant state of change and repair so best to focus on what we want rather than reinforce what we don't want by holding it in mind. "Thoughts become things" to quote Mike Dooley.
All the very best to you and wishes for comfort and peace this Christmas.
Thank you again for such a helpful and informative advice. I am having lappy problems at the minute, but had intended re-installing Skype for Christmas, so as lappy is going to visit the lappy Dr on Tuesday, I will ask him to do it. I quite agree that it is important to have other strategies in place to help and be as pro-active as can be. I will try anything, anything at all. The consultant has already emphasised to me that my condition is not curable, but will have to be managed. However, you never know what may happen with the right approach and attitude, and be ready to embrace whatever you can, or is offered.
At times though, it can be too bad in order to focus on anything other than the pain, but as it becomes less, the alternatives will become easier.
Thanks again,
I hope that you too have a pain free and peaceful Christmas, with best wishes for 2015.
I really feel for you because my mom suffers like this. She uses distraction techniques to help take her mind off it. There is an anti-depressant they use for chronic pain- I will try and find out what it's called- as they have found out that chronic pain reduces your pain threshold over time. I have also heard that some people find pain relief from a turmeric, from a reputable source, though it has to be taken with freshly ground black pepper and oil so it's absorbed. If you are on Facebook, there is a fb page called Turmeric User Group with heaps of info, though I think they will be offline for xmas. If your problem is due to osteoarthritis, then sulforaphane might help. It is high in broccoli, but can be bought as a supplement. There are many other things you could try, like TENS etc. do some research on google. My mom's pain is worse if she's exerted herself. Best of luck.
Thanks for your two replies, and have tried acupuncture to no avail. Also even the lightest of physio made things worse. I have cervical sponylosis of the neck which I have managed myself for a number of years using heat, exercise and massage.. However, I also in the past two years developed a lung condition in addition to the existing asthma. Months and months of violent coughing, hunching forward put a strain on my neck which caused a massive flare up, and nothing would help, and then my neck pain caused neuralgia in my head, so there is two things going on.
The tens machine is a no, no, as I already asked about that, but for two reasons it is not suitable for me. One is that the pads would need to be put on my neck which is not allowed, and secondly I have epilepsy and the small electrical impulses would be too close to my brain and could trigger seizures.
I have a lot of other things to consider now, and look forward to finding out more about them, and although I am not on fb, there are bound to be other sources of the information.
Distraction sometimes works, but last night was so awful that nothing would distract me or relieve it, and I can handle a lot of pain.
I am awaiting a nerve block on Wednesday, and although it is not a cure, will hopefully give me a rest for a while, and enable me to carry on with the specialist physio team, as well as looking and trying out other things.
Thanks very much for your helpful advice, it is very much appreciated.
Forgot to say, my mom has some nerve damage and there is a condition called chronic regional pain syndrome, or RSD. I agree with the above post trying DSMO as that's the first line of defence in a Scandinavian country.
It has settled down to a more tolerable level now, and thanks for asking. I am getting a nerve block on Wednesday, so hoping for good temporary results from that. Meanwhile MrsSag and Dorris have suggested alternatives.
Thanks very much for your good wishes for tomorrow. Weather, so far is looking quite windy so hope it dies down a bit, and as I rely on patient transport I hope they do not cancel, as they have a habit of doing!
There is also something called N-AcetylCysteine used for CRPS or RSD, depending on whether it's hot or cold. I'll try and find the link. Also something called sulforaphane has been found to help lung problems.
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