Quad with cold arms

[fishy quad]

I am a c 5/6 quadriplegic 16 months post injury. I have slowly been getting off my pain medication which was OxyContin. I also have gotten off of Neurontin. Ever since I slowly have been weening myself from the medications I have noticed that my arms have been more painful and very cold yet warm to the touch. It appears to be a nerve problem. I tried to go back on the Neurontin but it didn't seem to help. Other options I thought about were acupuncture or acupressure. Has anyone experienced this kind of pain/feeling? What did you do about it? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Joe B]

Its not scientific but it shouldn't hurt. Try a 100 mg tablet of Niacin after a full breakfast or other meal. The Niacin makes your blood circulate better and is good for reducing cholesterol and promoting the good high density lipids.

Important to know that Niacin is a vitamin but in tablet form of 100 mg may cause a "Niacin flush". Especially if not taken with a full meal or with a glass of milk. The flush is not particularly dangerous but may be uncomfortable for about 10 minutes.

If you want to try a more exotic method, try taking a 1000 mg tablet of Arginine which is available through GNC and other health outlets. It promotess the formatiion of Agmatine which may actually reduce the level of nerve pain. It also seems to improve endurance and is favored by body builders. I dont know of any adverse effects from arginine.

Take care http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Joe B
C6-7
1988

[antiquity]

Seems like your pain meds were masking the noxious stimuli that triggers AD. Now that whatever is irritating your body below your level of injury is no longer being masked, the AD has come on full force. Try to find out the cause of your arm discomfort and eliminate it. You may have to get xrays to rule out a fracture or break. Also check everywhere for pressure sores and your entire body for red areas or areas that are being irritated.

[fishy quad]

I appreciate both of your suggestions. I already know that it's not due to pressure sores. There are no red areas. I'll have to look into the other suggestions you both mentioned.
Thanks for your replies --
Mia http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[rtr]

I'm a C5/C6. My arms often feel like ice to me even though others tell me they are warm to the touch. I fight it with a space heater a foot away. Sometimes, my head convinces my arms that they feel fine.

[fishy quad]

rtr --
What kind of medications are you taking if any? Are you getting much exercise? I am 16 months post injury, when did your injury happen? I'm curious to see if over time the nerves will change and the arm coldness will go away.
Mia http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif

[rtr]

I'm almost 5 years post. I take a oxybutynin and a low dosage of amitriptyline. I get cold patches, burning forearms and hands, and occasional shooting pains in the forearms. Nothing hurts constantly though. Some days, nothing hurts at all! Other days, my hands will burn, but nothing else hurts. It's variable. The situation has probably been stable for the last 2-3 years.

I stretch, but I don't really exercise.

Anything else?

[GermanyC4]

try a moist heating pad on your hands/arms (helps my husband with his arms and shoulders) - and have also heard great relief from warm wax therapy. Best of luck, Beth

[whiterabbit11]

Hi fishy, I agree with seneca about the possibility of a.d. from some trouble below. Do you get goose bumps with the sweats on your arms? Probably need a good doc familiar with sci and a.d. I've had temporary relief from nearly any opiate type painkiller, like darvocet or percocet. I know it masks the problem, but it sure doesn't hurt to get misery relief while they look for the cause, just don't ignore it when the pain meds work. I've been Ice cold in 80 degree weather and it's no fun. I've had lots of lectures from docs about the evils of painkillers, but they aren't the ones with the discomfort. I've made it 35 years with painkilers of one type or another and they sure beat suffering. I just "lived with it" like they say until I took a couple darvocet one day and it made them stop. I didn't realize how bad it was until it went away. Works for me anyway. hope you find the trouble.

[fishy quad]

Germany -- I have tried to put heat on my arms and it doesn't work. Every night I heat up a beanbag and put around my neck to relax before I go to sleep.

White Rabbit -- I think I might have to go your route and hook up with some pain medicine. My doctor just put me on a higher dose of Neurontin and that is not helping. I have an appointment on Friday. currently I am not taking any pain medicine. also I never get goosebumps or the cold sweat on my arms.
Thanks again!

Mia