What's a pinched nerve feel like?

[Skeen]

I have an appointment with my dr. tomorrow 

Fairly frequently I get a muscle spasm in my left shoulder that doesn't go away for days.  I wake up like that!  You can see the lump of muscle under my skin.  I normally take muscle relaxants in combination with massage, stretching, heat/ice, anti-inflammatory medicine, trigger point therapy, and rest.  It usually goes away in about a week.  Annoying, painful, but nothing I can't deal with.   

But last week I woke up with a spasm that felt different.  When I look down or turn my head, there is a very sharp pain that radiates up my neck and down my arm to my shoulder.  I'm having spasms in my upper arm and down my back, and the arm feels weak.  I went to urgent care last Friday and was given prednisone, a strong muscle relaxant for the standard knot, and Tylenol 3 for pain.  The knot is gone already but there is a spot right where my shoulder and neck meet that, if I press on it, shoots pain down my arm.  My upper arm feels like it's vibrating.  I can't look down, arch my back, or reach the top of my head without burning stabbing pain.  Washing my hair and getting dressed is very difficult. 

Am I dying?   

[tulagirl]

I have all of these symptoms.  There have been many days I could not turn my neck, lift it just to even get out of bed.

  I have herniated discs at the c2 and c4.  When I do too much work with my hands and arms that causes me to look down it pushes the herniated discs onto the nerves...then the swelling starts.  This leads to a spasm in my shoulder and pain like crazy down into my hands. Eventually my hands and fingers go numb and I can't use my hands at all.  I fractured my neck and did not know about the injury several years ago. I went to doctor after doctor but no one would look at my neck.  They only focused on my shoulder and my arms.  Finally I went to a neck orthopedic doctor that did an MRI and that was my diagnosis.  A terrible one too because it was a 2 year injury by then and no one could really fix it much.  I had to get on an inflammatory diet as well and watch how much I use my fingers and hands.  I hope this is not what you have, but it sure sounds like you need to get that neck looked at because yes, what you describe sounds like a type of  nerve related pain.  Up high in the neck are the nerves that serve the arms and fingers.  I am only telling you what I have and not suggesting that is what you have.  I was shocked I had such an injury to tell you the truth.  Now, today, I have very limited strength in my arms and have trouble doing something as simple as turning a lid on a water bottle.   They suggested surgery but because of auto immunes my body is not ready for that extreme.  I have had to completely change my life style. I did do physical therapy but after 3 times it was not successful.  I really don't get to enjoy most of my hobbies for too long anymore.  I pay for it big time if I over do anything now. 

[Beldarna]

I have some of those symptoms. When I get a really bad cold, instead of a runny nose and soar throat like a normal person it goes on my back and stays for a couple of weeks. It feels like I've been hit by a sledgehammer to describe it mildly. Funny thing is it moves, like one day I can have it on my shoulders, one day in my lower back, sometimes down my spine or like I've had for the past three days on my neck (can't look to the sides without turning my hole body nor up and down without it being painful). When I get it in my neck it triggers a nerve down my left arm which totally numbs it and it prickles down to my little finger. I also can't lift my arms above my head so getting dressed and brusch my hair is a challenge. 

I don't take any medication for it ecxept ibuprofen. I hit the gym and do machines that focus on the back, with lowest weight possible which helps. I also take warm baths, use warm rise pillows and put on liniment. Doctor says it helps to move so I go to work as usual and get on with pure willpower.

[melodys_angel]

might be something to go see your doctor about.

While we may have similar symptoms to you, we aren't doctors so cant say exactly whats up

Ive had it where my arm or neck would lock up on me, ontop of symptoms you are describing.  For me, I need ot be careful or I can make it happen again but it is something that will go away in a few months.

[tulagirl]

might be something to go see your doctor about.

While we may have similar symptoms to you, we aren't doctors so cant say exactly whats up


Ive had it where my arm or neck would lock up on me, ontop of symptoms you are describing.  For me, I need ot be careful or I can make it happen again but it is something that will go away in a few months.

Yes yes....there is no way to know what is going on without seeing the right doctor.  Keep trying until you get an answer.  Hugs and hope you feel better. Its never fun to feel that way no matter what the cause.

[kaoskat]

It hurts? That's my best guess. I have no idea. I hope whatever it is the doctor can fix it because that sounds far from pleasant.