Neck and Shoulder pain

[Tike3]

I have NSCLC lung cancer stage 4 developed terrible shoulder and neck pain, don't know if related. On gabapentin and Sevredol but not having much effect. Any ideas. Thanks

[Danni54]

Hi Pam. I also had and do still get really awful pain right in my right shoulder blade which goes up to my neck. I had the pain before I was diagnosed with the Adenocarcinoma and the Dr. said that it was a pulled muscle but when I had pneumonia, was in hospital and had Xray's, my amazing Thoracic Consultant said that the cancer was causing referred pain . You know that I'm on enough morphine and Opioid's to knock out an elephant and the Pain Clinic had tried me on Pregablin, Gabapentin, Amitryptiline ++but the only thing that helps is rubbing Arnica cream on ! I couldn't believe that it worked but it did and does. Husband has to rub it on because I can't reach and he puts on quite a lot ! It hurts when he puts it on but after a while the pain eases. It's so painful so if it's the same then I hope you get some relief soon . Have you told your Dr. or Nurse? I was told that it's all part of lung cancer as is the clubbing of the finger's. Weird! At least Arnica isn't horrible stuff and anything is worth trying. I seem to have another lung infection because I go to bed, start coughing, then I'm very sick and am feeling awful! Moan, moan !! I will have to phone the Dr. on Monday and my new Dr. said that if this happened again then he would refer me to my Consultant. I have now had 4 Oesophageal infection's and this will be my 3rd lung infection. I had asked for another Xray but as usual....nothing done !

Off to try to sleep but I've been up for 3 night's coughing and being sick and now I'm scared to lie down! Ain't it grand !!! I hope you manage to sleep. I don't know whether the Arnica will work for you but it might be worth a try. I forgot! The other thing that helped was low dose Vallium which relaxed my muscles but it would be worth asking though your Consultant.

Will message you tomorrow. Don't forget how amazing you are because you have been through so much and I know that you get tired but you are still fighting this and you will keep going because you have a stubborn streak !

Love and big hugs,

Danni xxx

[Tike3 in reply to Danni54]

Hello Danni your having it rough, we all are on this forum.

Yes, shoulder pain is unbearable. I'm on pregabalin, gabapentin, Sevredol (quick release morphine tablets) and diazapam as a muscle relaxant. I'll give Arnica a try, I've got hemp cream Joint Mate it's called of Amazon!

I've had a CT scan of spine that shows no compression of spine just wear and tear due to osteoporosis.

I'm so tired Danni but like you unable to get comfy, if it's not my back it's regurgitating, do you ever get that?

We're all amazing Danni and fighters, I'll message you when I hear about treatment

Sending hugs

Pam

[Danni54 in reply to Tike3]

I cannot believe that you asked me about regurgitation because I have been having that for month's and month's and then I get the coughing bouts and then I'm violently sick! Sorry everybody!! Some of the thing's we go through are gross ! It's been getting worse and when I have managed to get a bit in a test bottle it's shown up as an Oesophageal infection ( 4 of them ! ) or a lung infection ( 3 ) ! Have had the usual, Fluconazole and antibiotics...can't remember the names ! Have you let your Dr. or Consultant know ? It's a horrible thing . Do you have a hernia because I have a " huge " one so the Dr. told me! I don't know whether that would cause the regurgitation but I will ask him when I speak to him and I'm going to phone tomorrow for an appointment because I dread going to sleep and waking up coughing and retching for over an hour and a half ! It's been going on for far too long and the new, young Dr. I saw said that he would refer me to my Thoracic Consultant but he has been overruled! Again !Will message you tomorrow. I got upset with family stuff , one of whom has been diagnosed with Myeloma plus other stuff and what with that and being up for the last 3 night's coughing etc. , I'm a bit tired! When I get upset, I try to do thing's in the garden that I really can't do any more and end up in so much pain! It's been a beautiful day here and I missed a lot of it being in bed....twit !

Take care Pam. You are always in my thought's and I know you get tired and you are SO brave so keep up the amazing fight because I love ' talking ' to you and with you. Sleep well. I wonder whether medication and treatment might be contributing to your problem?

Sleep well.

Much love and hugs,

Danni xxxxxx

[JanetteR57]

Sorry to hear you're suffering with pain so much - a dear friend of ours who had shoulder pain from lung cancer found heat patches helped him.... my mum also finds a TENS machine helps her with wrist pain (not cancer related).... pain is so wearing and often there are meds but it can be a trial and error pathway - the practice nurse explained to me when I'd come off pain meds quickly after my open lobectomy in Dec 2010 that it was important to keep two different types of painkiller and use 'different families' of painkiller - so one remaining in the bloodstream all the time and another shorter acting one - for me that was diclofenac and paracetamol (couldn't tolerate the morphine post surgery).... hope you get some relief soon.

[Tike3 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks Jeanette for your support and advice.

My Macmillan Nurse came to see me and changed my medication, I can see an improvement

She's prescribed gabapentin, Sevredol quick acting morphine in tablet for and diazapam for muscle relaxant and paracetamol in between .

Like you say it's keeping one in your blood stream all the time to keep on top of the pain. My physio showed me some exercises but quite painful. Never thought of heat patches or tens machine, like you say its trial and error.

[sassassas in reply to Tike3]

That’s really great to hear Pam. You are going through so much 💜

[Tike3 in reply to sassassas]

Thanks sassassas It means a great deal to have your support. I hope all is well with your husband too.

Sending love and best wishes

Pam

xx

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Tike3

It is good to hear that your pain has improved, sometimes it is fine the tuning and small changes to your medication which will make all the difference to your pain control, I am pleased that your MacMillan nurse reviewed your medication as they are often the experts dealing with pain issues. As others have said sometimes topical treatments such as TENs machine, heat pads and even cool pads which are very good at reducing inflammation and relieving pain all can be helpful.

Regards

Roy Castle Support Team

[Tike3 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Yes I think your right it's fine tuning times that you take it, which medication and when, it get a bit complicated when you have quite a lot!MY Macmillan Nurse comes every other week, which is great when I realise how busy they are and you too taking time to reply, thank you.

Yes, I believe tens machines and heat pads are good too.

Best wishes