Discussion
I was admitted to hospital on Monday with chest, back and left arm pain (at one point also going into left jaw, leg and groin). I was sent packing the next day with OTC co-codamol. It's not my heart, thankfully, probably inflamed nerves. From my limited knowledge of anatomy, the pattern of pain does fit the route of the ulnar nerve.
The problem is, it still hurts, even with the painkilers. It's bearable but not easy to ignore.
Plus, this isn't the first time I've had a doctor shrug and say "inflamed nerves" - in the last 3 years I've had two bouts of pain/burning/numbness on my left side, mainly leg.
I have an appointment to see the GP last thing on Friday, and wondered if there is anything I should be asking for. Has anyone else experienced anything like this.
The problem is, it still hurts, even with the painkilers. It's bearable but not easy to ignore.
Plus, this isn't the first time I've had a doctor shrug and say "inflamed nerves" - in the last 3 years I've had two bouts of pain/burning/numbness on my left side, mainly leg.
I have an appointment to see the GP last thing on Friday, and wondered if there is anything I should be asking for. Has anyone else experienced anything like this.
Ouch, sorry.
I'm aware that they're trying to bring the prescribing levels of them down a bit, but I'm under a vague layperson's impression (albeit a layperson with longterm chronic, severe pain) that there are a few drugs - pregabalin, gabapentin - which do a better job for nerve/neuro pain than just your standard opiates/opioids. It sounds like the pain is still pretty intrusive, and therefore that someone probably ought to take another look at which meds you're on.
All the best, nerve pain can be bloody horrible, I hope it eases soon.
I'm aware that they're trying to bring the prescribing levels of them down a bit, but I'm under a vague layperson's impression (albeit a layperson with longterm chronic, severe pain) that there are a few drugs - pregabalin, gabapentin - which do a better job for nerve/neuro pain than just your standard opiates/opioids. It sounds like the pain is still pretty intrusive, and therefore that someone probably ought to take another look at which meds you're on.
All the best, nerve pain can be bloody horrible, I hope it eases soon.
I feel for you. As the previous person said co-codamol is not the best for nerve pain. I have gabapentin which is better. Low dose Amitripylin (sp?) is also meant to good for nerve pain. I also use a tens machine, which has been my life saver. They need to get to the bottom of you pain and get it under control. I hope the GP sorts things out for you. I know you have a lot going on at home from another post where you are supporting me, but this is more reason you need to get yourself sorted.
Hope you feel better soon.
Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks. I was pretty cheesed off as the original doc was saying I needed anti inflammatories and plied me with so much morpheine I was out for 4 hours. Then there was a shift change and the next doc wanted me discharged ASAP and wasn't intending to give me anything. I was completely on my own, groggy, and no family turned up, even the next day, so I was more concerned with logistics of getting myself home than really digesting the discharge paperwork.
Edited by oldbanger on Thursday 3rd March 20:59
Scotfox said:
I suffer from Fibromyalgia. Amitriptyline is quite good for the pain but can leave some people feeling pretty spaced out and tired in the mornings. (even on low dose)
I'm on amitriptyline for IBS. I also suffer from sciatica and it does seem to help with it, but like you say it leaves you a bit tired in the A.M. I have permanent nerve pain in my left leg which keeps me awake at night, prevents me from competing in sports anymore and generally distracts me constantly. Sadly there's nothing doctors can do - medicine is quite primitive compared to engineering, IT etc! Mine is permanent nerve damage though; the OP may have something irritating a nerve temporarily, which may fade with time.
oldbanger said:
All three of those drugs have a rather scary list of side effects! How do you find them?
I have been on a fairly low dose of pregabalin twice a day since - I think - November 2007. Maybe a year longer, I can't remember when it was started in the haze of a series of huge life changes around my progressing impairment. I feel like my memory possibly isn't quite as sharp as it was, but that's in the context of a rather hard 8 years, going from age 22 to will be 31 this year, I'm now reading natural sciences at university and holding my own just fine, so if it has had an effect it definitely ain't a significant one. But really, it's unfair to compare the side effects unless you're balancing those cons with the pros of being able to function properly when you're not in terrible pain all the time. Early on when my pain got out of control, I was useless, helpless, couldn't do anything, couldn't think, couldn't sleep properly but couldn't stay awake either. The process of getting a leash on all that took a while, I was a right mess, but the combination of sensibly prescribed, regularly-reviewed meds (I'm not just on pregabalin), resolving some physical issues that were also causing problems (I'm a wheelchair user, having a chair that supports my body correctly has been life-changing), and just plain learning not to do some of the things that hurt the worst has pretty much cleared the slate.
I'm still disabled, still have pain that sneaks past the meds sometimes, still need support to be comfortable and safe, but I'm ACTIVE - I play boccia, a paralympic sport, I drive, I became a parent, I'm studying and using my brain, I have a social life... I'd still be propped up in a bed in a nursing home being fed fast-acting morphine every couple of hours - if not just 6 ft under instead - without the intervention of the pain management team and all they brought with them.
Obviously, we're all different, this is a new and hopefully short-term problem for you, but don't sit and suffer just because, it's not just avoidable, it's bad for you, physically and emotionally.
By way of an update, I was given Naproxen and told to top it up with co-codamol if needed. I am to self refer to physiotherapy if I it doesn't resolve in 2 weeks. I guess we'll see what happens.
Thanks for all the advice. It's been really helpful, though a bit sad to hear of all your own problems.
Thanks for all the advice. It's been really helpful, though a bit sad to hear of all your own problems.
AMLK said:
I don't tolerate drugs well at all, but gabapentin seems to be fine for me. I have had amitriptyline in the past, just 10mg will knock me out for 12 hours, but good for pain. Tbh my tens machine is the best ~ no side effects and I can use it 23.5 hrs a day.
I've heard of these tens machines before, so do you find it has any long term effects or is more for temporary relief. I've resent the pm from the other thread by the way...
No side effects at all. My condition is degenerative, the consultant at the pain clinic says I can use it everyday for the rest of my life if I need to (I am only 39!). I need it most when I am at work, and sometimes at night. But occasionally I do need it almost 24/7. Though you must not have it on when driving as most insurance companies will not cover you.
Thanks for rd sending the pm, will check it out.
Thanks for rd sending the pm, will check it out.
Initially decisions will be made on your presenting history. Whilst pain radiating to an arm can be associated out to the groin/leg isn't typical of an MI. I imagine they would have examined you, asked about the presentation, duration and what makes it worse etc. Based on the history and examination they've decided it's not sinister and either musculoskeletal or nerve route in origin. It would be normal to try analgesia and modification of your activity and if it doesn't improve see your GP. You've mentioned that this is a recrrance of previous problem, so you could discuss with your GP if referral to a a specialist such as a neurologist or orthopaedic surgeon would be an option. Drugs such as gabapentin are a good option if it is nerve route pain but are associated with side-effects. A specialist may want to order further tests such as scans to establish if there is a underlying problem such as a disc bulge, but again this would very much depend on your history and their examination of you, which can help them establish where a problem might be originating from - they would test your tone, muscle strength power, reflexes, sensation and coordination.
So you need to discuss further with your GP and he can examine you and decide if things are improving and or if further referral is required. It maybe your occupation/ lifestyle is also influencing this I.e. Ergonomic set up at work, repetitive movements etc. If it's something along this route it maybe physio or chiro are options.
So you need to discuss further with your GP and he can examine you and decide if things are improving and or if further referral is required. It maybe your occupation/ lifestyle is also influencing this I.e. Ergonomic set up at work, repetitive movements etc. If it's something along this route it maybe physio or chiro are options.
AMLK: I've got a TENS and you've convinced me to give it another go. Do you have any tips on electrode placement? I found ot too cumbersome to leave on too long, but I'm very restless and move around constantly!
OP: I've tried Gabapentin and it scared me to be quite honest. If I was late for a dose then I'd come out in hot sweats and my heart raced. It even landed me in A&E one night. I'm on Nortriptyline now, which is fine with fewer side effects than Amitriptyline for me. Like AMLK though, I'm only 38 and it's a bugger to have to be on tablets every day for the rest of my life.
OP: I've tried Gabapentin and it scared me to be quite honest. If I was late for a dose then I'd come out in hot sweats and my heart raced. It even landed me in A&E one night. I'm on Nortriptyline now, which is fine with fewer side effects than Amitriptyline for me. Like AMLK though, I'm only 38 and it's a bugger to have to be on tablets every day for the rest of my life.
Placement of the tens is generally over the area of pain, with a few exceptions. I have a leaflet that came with mine that gives general indications of placements.
I was told each pad needs to be at least 2cm apart. I was recommended to use continuous wave at 50Hz 180ms but they said it is more important for it to be comfortable. Start with it at a lower level so it feels like comfortable massage rather than over writing the pain, and slowly increase it as you need to.
If you tell where your pain is I can tell you what my leaflet says about placement.
Hope everyone gets pain relief sorted soon.
I was told each pad needs to be at least 2cm apart. I was recommended to use continuous wave at 50Hz 180ms but they said it is more important for it to be comfortable. Start with it at a lower level so it feels like comfortable massage rather than over writing the pain, and slowly increase it as you need to.
If you tell where your pain is I can tell you what my leaflet says about placement.
Hope everyone gets pain relief sorted soon.
I'm due for physio in a few weeks as a result of the chest and arm pain. The pain comes and goes but I got co-codamol to take sparingly. it usually does the trick.
In the meantime I finally did the treadmill stress test (the original referral got lost apparently), and I am going to have to go back for more check ups. The letter is a bit garbled but mentions repolarisation abnormalities. At this stage nothing seems urgent, but it may be that I do have a dicky ticker after all. Rats.
In the meantime I finally did the treadmill stress test (the original referral got lost apparently), and I am going to have to go back for more check ups. The letter is a bit garbled but mentions repolarisation abnormalities. At this stage nothing seems urgent, but it may be that I do have a dicky ticker after all. Rats.
I am being treated for a slipped disc in my back which is pressing on my sciatic nerve and causing considerable pain in my left leg and foot. Initially I was only taking Cocodomol but the pain was still constant. I have now been prescribed Gabapentin and Amaltryptaline and things are getting a lot better. I can now go to the gym and see the physio which were impossible before. All 3 of these drugs have slight side effects but my Doc says that the pain relief is more important at this point in time and as I get better I can slowly reduce the doses. The Amaltryptaline makes me a bit drowsy in the morning so I have 2 cups of strong black coffee which cures the constipation caused by the Cocodomol.
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