Pinched nerve

[Steph73]

I think I have a pinched nerve in the left side of my neck. The pain radiates into my shoulder. It is unrelenting and hurts SO bad. This has been going on for 4 days. I think I played too much with a new ipod touch combined with a bad transfer in the middle of the night. Usually I have an aide and a hoyer lift but in the middle of the night it is me mom and I and she can't operate the lift because of her back. I know, not good.

Anyhow, anything I can do to help with this pain? Ice packs help a little.

I talked to the Dr last night and he was supposed to call in a 5-7 day steroid pack, yet hasn't. Also supposed to get an x-ray company out for an x-ray of my neck, shoulder, and port a cath as per Dr's orders but the office girl is giving my home health agency attitude about that since she is in a mood.

I like this Dr, he's nice, gives me my sleeping and acid reflux meds without a fight, and I can usually get ahold of him after hours. The bad side is up to 3 hour wait times and the office girl who never seems to get anything done and never returns phone calls. So I don't know whether to look for another GP or just deal with it. I just need this pain to stop. :(

[Eileen]

Ice seems like it would be good if there is inflamation, along with any over the counter meds you can get that reduce pain and inflamation until you can talk to your Dr. Sorry this is hurting so badly. I have lots of shoulder problems and I know they are no fun. Do you have any Tramadol (Ultram) available? Don't let your arm hang down when you are in bed and on your side. Prop it up on a pillow so that you don't have that downward tension adding to the problem. Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Steph73]

Eileen,
Thanks for the advice. I have a call into my Dr about some Ultram. Right now I am sticking to ice packs.

[Miss September]

I sorry to hear you are in pain, I have done that too once and it REALLY hurts aye. I took anti inflamatories (voltaren) and a pain killer. The mucle etc all goes tight and inflamed around the injury to protect it apparently which hurts-hence the anti inflamatory.

[fishin'guy]

If you like to eat, you'll like the steroids. Otherwise you may be a bit jittery from them too. good luck

[Steph73]

X-ray results came back: mild degeneration of disks in neck w/bone spurs. So I guess my next step will be to call the pain mgt doc about shots in my neck. :(