Any ideas?

[Rachel174]

Hi all. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years ago and have managed it well with exercise, and meds when it gets too bad. The last few months I've been in a lot of pain with my shoulder, pins and needles and numbness in my hand and arm. I had an MRI scan and I have a herniated disc in my cervical spine, which is compressing a nerve root. I was put on Gabapentin 1800mg a day and Naproxen but it's just not touching the pain. It is likely I will be having neck surgery to remove the disc but that could take months. Does anyone have any ideas which would help in the meantime? Thanks.

[Fenbiker]

Sorry for you Rachel but it puts my pain into context. Take care.

[Rachel174 in reply to Fenbiker]

Well everyone's pain is their own experience isn't it and nobody else can truly understand. I don't think so anyway. Hope you have pain free days as much as possible Take care.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Would heat maybe help???

Tens machine???

[Rachel174 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Hi. I've tried Tens but because it's my neck it keeps making my muscles contract, even on the lowest setting! I will try a heat pad though. Thank you!

[LadyJoro in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Tens isn’t recommended for use on the neck

[Hidden]

There is gell called Fenbid forty 5% it will take the pain away for a while From the doctor hope this helps you

[Rachel174 in reply to Hidden]

Ah ok. I'm seeing the GP on Monday so can ask. Thanks.

[Dinkie]

Hi Rachel - I have neck disc trouble according to the MRI results but have to say that my pain which sounds exactly like yours is the result of calcific tendonitis in the shoulder. My chiropractor has released the muscle tension for me which although not a cure of course helps considerably with mobility and pain. I also use Biofreeze (recommended by the chiropractor and he always finishes a session massaging this into the skin) and I use microwaveable lavender/wheat bags and epsom salt baths to help. It's expensive chiropractor treatment for me and I can't go as often as I would like but I think for me it has been worth every penny as all the GP wanted to do was to give pain killers and/or 3 sessions of physio where the waiting list is 20 weeks. I was in so much pain and unable to lift my arm it made driving impossible and if I can't drive I can't get to work and if I can't get to work I can't earn a living! It's bad enough having fibro without additional problems! Do hope you feel some relief soon,

[Rachel174 in reply to Dinkie]

Hi. Interesting you say calcified tendonitis because that's what they said it was initially. I had 3 lots of steroids into my shoulder and I've had 5 courses of physio. I got referred to a shoulder specialist at the hospital who scanned my shoulder and said it's a perfect and no problems with the tendons. He ordered a scan of my neck which confirmed the disc herniation. When I was being treated for the shoulder I had the weak arm but no numbness, altered sensation as I do now. Maybe that's what confused the issue. I am tempted to see a chiropractor for my lower back though! I'm defiinitely going to try the wheatgerm bags as well. Thankyou!

[Dinkie in reply to Rachel174]

mine is definitely calcific tendonitis as it's clear on x-ray 2 x 1.5 cm mass of the blooming stuff. The chiropractor obviously said he could do nothing about the calcium but could ease the inflammation and he is right. Before any treatment I couldn't move that arm independently and screamed in agony, now I can move it ok nothing like the full range of movement but at least I can drive. He has done work on my neck too to re-align it. I always come out of there on cloud 9 just wish the feeling of wellness lasted forever - but at least it is longer between visits now as my body seems to stay in the correct position longer - as if it has relearned where and how it should work!

[Rachel174 in reply to Dinkie]

Oh the pain is terrible isn't it! My last physio, who I paid privately for, was brilliant and I had that cloud 9 feeling...great isn't it They really helped with the muscle tension in my neck and shoulder. I haven't tried a chiropractor but will look into it

[Don_in_midlands]

Hello

As the disc is pressing on the spinal cord, nothing is really going to take all of the pain away. However, anti-inflammatories and heat pads might help with the irritation of the nerves.

My problem is in my lumbar spine, and I take Naproxen and I use those sticky deep heat pads (which might look strange on your neck) which do help a little.

Best wishes & hope they get the op done sooner rather than later x

[Rachel174 in reply to Don_in_midlands]

Hi. I don't care if I stuck heat pads all over my face at the moment Just desperate to ease the pain until it's sorted! I will try heat though as the pain travels down my upper back as well. Thankyou and I hope you get some pain free days.

[LadyJoro]

Are you taking something paracetamol too? Naproxen is an anti inflammatory and can be taken alongside paracetamol/cocodamol by most people. If gabapentin isn’t working there are other drugs to try

I personally found CBD oil better than any medications for nerve pain, hope you get some relief soon

[Rachel174 in reply to LadyJoro]

Hi. What is CBD oil?

[LadyJoro in reply to Rachel174]

It is Cannabidiol oil derived from cannabis without THC so it doesn’t make you high and is legal in most places.

It helps with pain, anxiety, restless legs and swelling.

I use 100mg/ml solution 2 drops 4 times a day. £35 gets me a 2 month supply and it means no drugs that make me dopey.

[Rachel174 in reply to LadyJoro]

Ok thanks.Docs put me on Codeine so feeling quite dopey at the moment!

[LadyJoro in reply to Rachel174]

Yeah, I found codeine better than tramadol but high doses still make me drowsy

[Rachel174 in reply to LadyJoro]

Yup! I'll be glad when they sort my neck and I can stop taking all this stuff!

[pip76]

Hi Rachel I've got same symptoms but waiting MRI scan. I've been put on Noratriptyline and Solpodol but when the pains really bad I go for Shiatsu therapy. I've also started yoga which really helps me to relax. Unfortunately I have had to cut my hours at work due to constant pain and fatigue so now can't afford to pay for Shiatsu every week but it definitely helps. Hope you find some pain relief soon. Xx

[Rachel174]

Thanks and I hope you have some relief from pain too. Xx