How can I control this nerve pain?

Question

I've been having problems for a long time with shoulder pain, and it has gotten worse. I am now convinced that there is a pinched nerve in my shoulder, which is causing nerve pain from the shoulder all the way to my fingertips. My hand keeps going numb, and the pain is unbearable.

I have an appointment with a chiropractor for Monday. But I work in an office, in a secretarial position, and the pain is making my job impossible. My left arm is pretty much useless like this, and I need to type all day. The pain is completely unbearable.

I've tried painkillers and they haven't done any good. I can't find any good position to ease the pain. I have a splint for my wrist due to tendonitis, so that part is pretty much immobilized, but it isn't stopping the pain or the numbness. Is there anything I can do to control this until Monday? I can't miss a whole week of work, but I can't really do my job like this.

I am not looking for more doctors to go to, I already have my appointment. I'm looking for ways I can control this pain without prescriptions or equipement until Monday. A position to sit/sleep in, an over the counter pain reliever I can use, something like that.

Answer 1

Can you talk to your family doctor and get him to issue you a presciption with enough pills to help you till your appointment???

I live with back pain and have found that the best pills to use for nerve pain are Hydrocodone, which has codene in it to ease the pain...
Also a pill called Kadian, it is a morphine-like pain capsule and of course these require a prescription with your doctor...

My family doctor can issue a prescription over the phone to my local pharmacy since I have been going to him for many years...

If you have no regular doctor and are in that much pain, I would advise going to one of those minor emergency centers, that are similar to big hospitals, but on a much smaller scale...

If you don't have one of those nearby, then go to a nearby hospital and have the doctor on call treat you in an emergency capacity, that way you can get relief sooner than waiting a week...

I am so sorry for your pain...
I wish I could send some of my pain pills through this computer to you...
~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~
I am adding this a few days later...
If you are in so much pain as you describe, get help faster than over the counter pills...
Go to the emergency room of the closest hospital...
Don't wait for an appointment...
How can you bear that much pain and want to wait???

Answer 2

Hi,
I would suggest going to a physiotherapist. Chiropractic is immediate relief, but physio will help you to learn how to keep the pain away in between visits (with special exercises). Also, you might be able to get a sooner appointment.

Another great way of dealing with pain is exercise - like yoga or tai chi. The only thing is, be careful because you don't want to make your injury worse.

Finally, if you see your doctor, and th epain is caused by inflamed muscles, you may be able to take muscle relaxants. This will only work if it is muscle tension that is causing the pain.
Hope something works. Feel better:)

p.s. the TENS machine idea from nutsterschick is a good one too. This uses electrical stimulation to release muscles and also to block pain depending on whether it is placed on a muscle or a nerve (the electrical charge will cause muscles to contract if placed on a muscle, then afterwards they have to relax) (If placed on a nerve passageway, it can block the pain signal before it gets to the brain by sending out too much other information - interference)

Answer 3

Two weeks ago I was prescribed a medication specifically for nerve pain called "Lyrica". It's new in the market here where I live in Europe, not sure how available it is in other countries or if it goes by a different name, you should look into it. It did not take the pain away completely but helped me get a good night sleep and made the pain manegable during the day. Fortunately, it was not strong on the stomach.Good luck!

Answer 4

I have read that NIH has done a study using Magnesium citrate for nerve and muscle pain. I am not a doctor, so consult your physician before trying this. But you can get magnesium citrate at your local vitiman or health food store.

Answer 5

Please go to a Physiotherapist not a chiropractic doc, your problems are very well dealed with a physical therapist; but for now i could give you some exercises to do first move and exercise your shoulder, front and back wards and also your elbow and hands. as for your job, use and modified your work place used a ergonomic designed keyboard.
i also suggest that you see a registered physical therapist so he or she could give you the right treatment

Answer 6

Do U know of any1 who could lend U a Tens Machine?
Ask around.
Either that or consider a massage 2 tide U over. ( no not that sort of massage! )
Or can U get an appointment, sooner 4 some Accupucture?

Answer 7

You need to go see a pain management doctor to get the pain under control
Have your primary doctor refer you..

Answer 8

No that is not true. Frozen shoulders are common among typist and with minor repeated trauma. It takes about 6 months to go away. Change yur posture as well

Answer 9

Since you're looking for immediate help, I recommend you download this booklet for a stretch program that is designed to reverse neck and shoulder pain due to repetitive stress injury:

http://www.selfcare4rsi.com/neck-and-shoulder-pain.html

Answer 10

Absolutely yes.