STORM2K

Woke up on Monday with neck and upper back pain. Thought I slept wrong. Well, now the neck is ok but I still have the dull pain in my back and when I use the computer my arm and fingers get all tingly and numb.
Everyone keeps telling me it's probably a pinched nerve. Called 3 different drs and one can see me June 29th, the other two not until July. Can you believe that? Any advice on how to relieve the pain? I am taking Ibuprofen and it is not helping at all. It hurts! Any advice?

Bonnie - sure sounds like a pinched nerve to me. Never quite had one myself but I know of others that have had them. Stephanie pointed out a new website that I often use now - give it a try, just plug in 'back pain' or 'pinched nerve'. Lots will come up. Sure hope you feel better. I hate when I do things like this - sprained my ankle 3 weeks ago, it's finally healing very well. But it sure set me back, let me tell you! It's called WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/

Mary

Thanks Miss Mary!!! I'll check it out.

You may have a herniated or ruptured disc in your cervical spine that is putting pressure on the nerve. That is why your arm and fingers are all numb and tingly.. Try laying on some ice packs for now and take some pain medication, the stronger the better.

I have been suffering from this type of pain since I was 20 years old and have already had 1 spinal fusion surgery.

Is it your right arm or left arm that is being affected?

HurricaneGirl wrote:Is it your right arm or left arm that is being affected?

It's my right arm.

I have the same thing Bonnie. Well similar.. I think it's arthritis..although I am young, I have been in a few wrecks. The weather makes it worse. I am like a walking barometer lol Mine usually gets better after a few days. Aleve helps. I hope you feel better soon, Bon Bon

Wish I could help, but having never really seen this in the ER, I'm afraid I draw a blank on what it could be or how to treat it.

Sounds like the gang above could be on the right track.

Hope you feel better soon!

I definitely think this is a pinched nerve and it HURTS!!!
What's better for it? Heat or Ice?

bfez1 wrote:I definitely think this is a pinched nerve and it HURTS!!!

Try cold and then hot on it. That may help to relieve some of the pain and get it back into the groove, Hope it works Bon Bon TrywebMD too or call your local ask a nurse. They can be a big help sometimes.

When my right arm, thumb and first two fingers went numb it ended up being a herniation of my disc between C-5 and C-6. I never used heat on mine only ice packs. I heard heat makes the inflammation worse.

I had the same type of problem Bonnie several years ago. When my boss finally insisted, I went to see a chiropractor. It was the best thing I've done in a long time. I now go 1-2 times a year and I've never had a problem with my neck since then

mf_dolphin wrote:I had the same type of problem Bonnie several years ago. When my boss finally insisted, I went to see a chiropractor. It was the best thing I've done in a long time. I now go 1-2 times a year and I've never had a problem with my neck since then

A few people I work with suggested a chiropractor to me---I just may do that.
And some say I need to see a Neurologist!
Thanks for all of the advice everyone.

HurricaneGirl wrote:You may have a herniated or ruptured disc in your cervical spine that is putting pressure on the nerve. That is why your arm and fingers are all numb and tingly.. Try laying on some ice packs for now and take some pain medication, the stronger the better.

I have been suffering from this type of pain since I was 20 years old and have already had 1 spinal fusion surgery.

Is it your right arm or left arm that is being affected?

Indeed it DOES HurricaneGirl.....I've got Degenerative Disc Disease, my 3-4 vertabre from the tail bone up, are crumbling at a rather alarming rate now. I take Lortab 10/100 3x per day along with Roboxin (muscle relaxer).....it doesn't take the pain away COMPLETELY, it does however, make it bareable *kinda*....it hasn't slowed down my GOLF game however

Now...as far as pain relief without a script, when ever I run out of pain meds, I use a spray called STOP PAIN, it's SMELLS NASTY, like Vicks Vaporub but it DOES help a GREAT deal, Walgreens has it.

Dennis

It does sound like a cervical spine disc problem - Probably compessing on a nerve which affects your arms and hands. Sometimes arthritis of that area can cause the same problem. 800mg Motrin can relieve some of the discomfort. I'd see a Dr.

azsnowman wrote:

HurricaneGirl wrote:You may have a herniated or ruptured disc in your cervical spine that is putting pressure on the nerve. That is why your arm and fingers are all numb and tingly.. Try laying on some ice packs for now and take some pain medication, the stronger the better.

I have been suffering from this type of pain since I was 20 years old and have already had 1 spinal fusion surgery.

Is it your right arm or left arm that is being affected?

Indeed it DOES HurricaneGirl.....I've got Degenerative Disc Disease, my 3-4 vertabre from the tail bone up, are crumbling at a rather alarming rate now. I take Lortab 10/100 3x per day along with Roboxin (muscle relaxer).....it doesn't take the pain away COMPLETELY, it does however, make it bareable *kinda*....it hasn't slowed down my GOLF game however

Now...as far as pain relief without a script, when ever I run out of pain meds, I use a spray called STOP PAIN, it's SMELLS NASTY, like Vicks Vaporub but it DOES help a GREAT deal, Walgreens has it.

Dennis

Wow Dennis! Sounds like we're in the same boat! I am on the Duragesic Patch 25 mg. My Dr. just presribed me Robaxin too, but I can't take it because it agitates me and makes me very restless.

My disc below the fusion (C-6 and C-7) is now going bad. I have also developed Myofascial Pain Syndrome in my upper back, right side muscle between my shoulder blades.

I am getting Botox injected in there Monday. I CAN'T WAIT!! None of the steroid (DepoMedrol and Lidocaine) trigger point injections worked for very good.

This stuff called Bio Freeze works pretty good too!

bfez1 wrote:

mf_dolphin wrote:I had the same type of problem Bonnie several years ago. When my boss finally insisted, I went to see a chiropractor. It was the best thing I've done in a long time. I now go 1-2 times a year and I've never had a problem with my neck since then

A few people I work with suggested a chiropractor to me---I just may do that.
And some say I need to see a Neurologist!
Thanks for all of the advice everyone.

Bonnie, Speaking from personal experience I have learned that Chriropractors can only do so much, depending on the severity of your condition. Chiropractors are wonderful if you have something that is just out of line and you need an adjustment. A chiropractor can't do anything for a ruptured disc.

I am not saying chiropractors are bad. The one I went to just sucked my wallet dry twice a week and I think he knew he wasn't helping me. I finally wised up after a few months and went to a Neuro Surgeon. I had tests such as MRI's, a Nerve Conduction study and Mylogram before I had the fusion.

After my surgery, the numbness in my hand, arm and back pain went away for about 3 years. Then the Myofascial Pain Syndrome set in and my other disc started acting up. I've been going to a Pain Management Clinic for a year now.

I hope I'm not scaring you Bonnie, but this type of thing could be serious.
I sincerley hope it's just something that a Chiropractor can snap back in for you.

I hope you feel better soon.