I don’t know why I’m posting this. I don’t expect anything from the community, but it’s just so bad, I have to get it out.
It started in January with some odd pings here and there, occasional numbness in my thigh. Went to the doc who said, “maybe pinched nerve, try sleeping with a pillow under you.”
Then occasional shoulder pains and aches, like I might have injured it or something or slept wrong. Came and went.
Then all of a sudden a couple of weeks ago, constant intense pain from the base of my neck down my right arm to the elbow and a constantly numb right thumb. Went for X-rays–several cervical vertebrae messed up.
They put me on steroids to ease the intense pain. That worked, but you can’t stay on steroids. Meanwhile, started physical therapy, TENS unit therapy, analgesic creams and lotions. Combined with diet and exercise. Of course it’s hard to even go for a stroll when you’re in agony.
Now I’m trying out a combination of Lyrica, Mobic, and Robaxin. The steroids wore out Sunday, and the new meds haven’t really kicked in. Many nights without sleep. Lucky I’m working full time from home and have a pretty flexible schedule. MRI scheduled for next week. I refused to take Tramadol. Don’t want to risk such an addictive substance.
This morning was awful. Right now the pain has mostly subsided and I can work normally. I don’t know whether it’s the drugs working or just the regular pain cycle.
Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin) kept me going for several years before I finally went under the knife. See if it’s an option for you. It can make you a little woozy when you first start taking it, but that wears off quickly. Generally no other side effects after the first few weeks.
I literally couldn’t make it all the way across the office without help. It was a godsend. I needed something non-narcotic due to the nature of my job. I went for about 4 years on it until I had good enough insurance and sick leave to have the surgery (completely successful - I know not everyone is so fortunate).
I’ve been on Gabapentin for years to prevent migraine. It doesn’t do anything for lupus arthritis pain, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. Even if it only works for 6 months or a year, that’s a blessing that buys you time.
May I also recommend getting a referral to a pain specialist? Docs know s— about pain compared to a pain specialist. I have a relative who probably would have killed himself due to chronic pain if he hadn’t gone to a pain specialist. Well worth it, IMHO.
I’ve had neck pain/radiculopathy from cervical disc pathology. Physical Therapy worked wonders, especially traction. Each session consisted of heat, massage, then traction. When the timer signaled traction was done, I’d beg for more. I also asked that the force be increased.
I’ve got pinched nerves in my neck, and I have so much sympathy for you!
I’ve undergone nerve ablation at least five times. I got a lesser amount of relief from each procedure. I’ve seen two neurosurgeons, both refusing to touch me, because my neck " isn’t bad enough."
Diclofenac gel helped quite a bit, but the stuff is MESSY. You have to walk around half-nekkid until it dries. After I finally got the hang of how to use it, my neck looked like I had a terrible sunburn. Cancel Diclofenac.
I was prescribed Celebrex. Not perfect, but I got some relief. That is, until my labwork showed very unhappy kidneys. Cancel Celebrex.
I highly recommend Pain Management. That has kept me from killing my family. Yes, you will be prescribed opioids, but your doctor will keep strict control on how much you are using. Opioids are not perfect, but they have given me some of my life back.
Physical therapy is…painful but extremely useful. My PT was interrupted by COVID, and when I finally return to it, I know I’ll have to start again at the bottom.
AFTER physical therapy, opioids are a gift from God.
You were right to refuse Tramadol. It’s useless. Tramadol has a nickname with chronic pain patients: Dammit-all.
Oh and Gabapentin and I don’t get along. One dose, and my throat swelled.
You are correct, of course, that you really shouldn’t stay on steroids very long, especially if you have bad case of Type II diabetes, like I have… But I’ve been in so much pain that I felt it was either steroids or suicide, so steroids it is and has been for about a year.
I have to watch my blood sugar far more intensely than before I started taking 20 mg of prednisone daily, nevertheless because of how little I want to eat – and thus how little I actually eat – I have many more low blood sugar events than high ones.
I didn’t realize Tramadol was considered highly addictive. I stopped taking it years ago because it was about as effective as water. But along with the prednisone, I’ve been taking 37.5 mg of hydrocodone daily.for years, yet I honestly don’t feel like I’m addicted, physically or psychologically. I know most or all of you will have strong doubts about that, but truly, I well understand how powerful denial and self-deceit can be. So there are plenty of days that I take 2-3 fewer tabs, and roughly every couple of months, I take 5 days or so off of the hydro completely and look at myself hard for anything unusual in my desires and feelings and physical effects. Of course I also ask others to weigh in, and no one has noticed anything in the past, but now with COVID running rampant, I haven’t been with anyone for quite some time (I live alone).
Anyway, Acsenray, one of the great things about this place is how much everyone cares about each other, and I’m pleased that you chose to talk to us about it. Good luck!
I forgot to add I have terrible hamstring pain in both legs, and in my opinion there are few things more annoying than to experience such an absurd amount of pain just in standing up and walking with such a relatively minor injury. So my doc just added Tizanidine to relax those muscles. However, I only took one capsule, and I hate it! Not only does it make it very difficult for me to stay awake, but the stuff gives me awful nightmares to boot! When the doc comes back on Monday, I’ll ask for something different. Any suggestions?
There’s a thread here by a longstanding member whose health was destroyed by longterm cortisone usage. I’m on my phone so it’s difficult to search for it.