Left side of body

[Laura407]

Hi All,

I'm currently in week 20 of the worst pain of my life - I wonder if anyone els has experienced this and has any advice?

The left side of my body (from the top of my neck behind my left ear) right down to my toes has become much worse than my right (I now feel I am getting more pain in the right side due to compensating for my left). The best way I can describe the pain is a burning sensation constantly, the minute I lift my left arm or use my left leg it suddenly feels as though I have held the heaviest weight or done the most active form of exercise possible and I cannot then hold an object. It then makes pins and needles and weakness. The pain in my shoulder blade is so intense I'm spending most days with tears in my eyes, and its the same with my hip and feel it much worse in each joint along my left side. I can barely sit comfortably, showering is a nightmare as the minute I overheat I more or less collapse and nothing at all seems to ease the pain!

Weirdly enough I can only sleep on my left side and feel like I'm keeping it in place by lying like this? but my doctor has told me to continue the codeine (which I'm sure you appreciate is impossible to work and drive on this and I've been in some dangerous situations recently by continuing to do so) and I'm using the attitude of 'lefts get on with it its not going anywhere' but I physically and emotionally cannot take this pain any longer. I've been sullen and withdrawn but the thought of not coming to work fills me with absolute dread as if I was to be off one day - I'll be off forever it has not got better in 20 weeks!!

Has anyone els had these type of pains before and if so - do you have any recommendations!?

Any advice would be sooo appreciated, I don't know who else to turn to!

Laura xx

[Lou1062]

I can only suggest you go back to your GP, I have something similar to what you describe and had various tests which showed nerve damage, this is just my own experience you must seek medical advice get a second opinion if needed xx

[Regnofibro1]

Mine is due to scoliosis but I too have weakness and pain. Unfortunately I don't have a clue how to help you. I am disabled and have been for 10+years. I am 50 and had to give up a job I loved! Hugs

[rosewine]

It doesn't sound as though the Codeine is doing the trick for you and you need either something different or additional help. Unfortunately you might have to accept having a bit of time off work to get your body bwckin sync as what I presume to be an extremely bad flare has been going on for

such along time.

Hope you can find something that eases this for you. You haven my sympathy. X

[TheHud]

Sent me bonkers, they all did, various places still do if I don't catch them in time and up the medication, I have pregablin and it makes it bearable, mostly

[TheAuthor]

Hi Laura407

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have pasted you a link below to our mother site FMA UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information: fmauk.org/

I am so genuinely sorry to read that you are suffering and struggling so much with horrendous pain and I personally think it could be beneficial to discuss this with GP again as it sounds like you could do with some stronger pain medication? I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Gypsylee]

I suffer with this most of the time down my left side, I find if I try to stay in bed or rest up for a few days it will ease slightly. It's all about pacing yourself, I had to give up work 2 years ago because of this horrid condition! You are obviously doing far to much for the pain to last this long continuously! Slow down my love or you will truly regret it, it doesn't get any betterunless you rest even if you don't want to! Hope you feel better soon xxx

[chocolate]

I have been experiencing the same for 3 years and I had test done and it was really bad nerve damage. The doctors waited so long to send me to get an MRI that it only got worst as time went on and now there's nothing they can do to help me. Please seek help for it and ask them to send you for an MRI. Hope u feel better soon

[Laura407]

Thank you so much for all of your well wishes, brought tears to my eyes (which sat at a computer in work is slightly awkward lol) but really meant a lot. Went back to the doctors and had Weds/Thurs off work and they've given me pregabalin to block my nerves and upped my amitriptyline dosage. Can't say its worked but its made me feel numb which has helped me go back to work for the time being but I think a lifestyle adjustment (work wise as unfortunately I have no social life anymore) is needed in the very near future...

Seriously - thank you again, you all took me out of a very bad place mentally.

[Janet28]

Hi laura, I feel for you and your pain honey and I have been like this so many times over the years. You have to keep going back to the doctor, take someone with you and ask to be referred to a neurologist. I'm not a doctor but sounds very much like nerve damage or trapped nerves. This is what causes the pins and needles and the heavy feelings in your leg and arm.

My daughter gets this feeling and it normally starts in her neck and goes down one side of her body.

Have you tried Tens machine, or I find ActiPatch helps, although not for everyone, sometimes they do help.

The only relief I get from my pain is heat, hot water bottle, beany bag, you put in microwave, heated blanket. If you can get in and out of the bath, good soak.

Im the same though and nothing really ever gets rid of my pain, It takes the edge of so its bearable but never gets rid of it, especially in my back.

I hope you get some joy from GP & get referred to specialist who can help you more.

sending you lots of Luv

Jan x