Suggestions for a pinched nerve?

[melodys_angel]

..Or, I think thats what it is <3


Long story short, ive had throbbing pain comming from my elbow all week which started when I put pressure on it.  Sometimes I cant bend it at all and sometimes the pain will shoot up my arm into my shoulders and neck or down my arm into my wrist and fingers.

Ive tried tylonol (well, midol>>), an ice pac, and ignoring it, hoping that its a 3 or 4 day thing that will eventually go away.  Theres no swelling thats major and the area isnt really red...seems to be originating form inside the joint.  Might be a touch warm but not enough to throw anything off.

It was tolerable the first few days but flared 2 days ago and its just staying in that range.

Unfortunately im in a situation where its my dominant arm and it has to be bent and moved, or pressure applied (like, opening a container or putting on a coat).  Any suggestions to ease off the pain while I wait for it to scram?^^

[HollowZero]

Definitely sounds like a pinched nerve. I would personally go get scans if possible to see if there's anything wrong with your spine around the neck area, since the pain goes from your neck down the whole arm at times. My dad had pain like this from a disc problem in his neck, and now uses TENS machines to remove the pain, because surgery was too risky. Works wonders for him.

[tulagirl]

I deal with this all of the time and its hell let me tell ya.  I have tens units, muscle stim units and pain medication because I have herniated discs in my neck and back that put pressure on the nerves. This in turn causes me extreme pain in my right arm and hand along with right leg and toes. There are some days I can't bend my finger or move my joints.  I need to go back on my anti inflammatory diet which is wheat, sugar and dairy free also beef free.  I use ice on my neck and heat on my arm.  It takes a long time to stop a flare for me sometimes months.  I do neck exercises too.  Massage would be good I just can't afford it right now.  Sometimes I can't even walk normally.  Sadly the meds I get over the counter do very little for my pain. I do use them though because I figure they are reducing some inflammation. I also go to a Chiropractor. Hugs..so sorry.

[ZennaBug]

Ouch ouch ouch.  I used to have problems with a chronic pinched sciatic nerve because of the way my hips were all messed up.  Some things that helped were acupuncture (super scary for someone whose fear of needles is only a small bump down from full-blown phobia lol) and deep-tissue massage (sometimes this helped, not always).

But the best thing that I ended up finding was my physical therapist.  He did something called dry-needling, which is similar to acupuncture, only the needles are a little different and go slightly deeper, AHHHH!  He put a few of the needles in certain places along my back and hips and then attached what looked like little jumper cables to them and ran small currents through specific channels.  My whole back was moving like it was alive (super weird) and when he was done, he put a heat pack on and had me lie still for a while to let the muscles relax.  I had a few weeks of no pain after that.

I haven't had trouble with the nerve since my surgeries though, since it fixed the root cause of the problem.  If you find that it's a chronic thing, then it might be a good idea to get it checked out.  If it's just once in a while, then I would suggest heat rather than ice.  It relaxes the muscles and hopefully loosens their hold on the poor nerve.  That's what worked for me at least.

[kaoskat]

Ick! That sounds awful! I hope it's better soon!

[Eviecorn]

I'd definitely get a professional opinion and possibly see a chiropractor. 

[melodys_angel]

just came back from the doctors..didnt get much help other then it might be nerve/muscle damage and to get x rays done to be onthe safe side.

Its progessing worse and worse.  Ive completely lost movement in that area and the pain is alot like a broken or fractured bone. Its also a bit warm and swollen. Even when its straight, any tense movement will flare the whole thing up

he didnt put me on anything special, im just hoping the tylonol will actually start to do its job


Guess ill know in a few days

[Luxrayx]

Owwie! You make my compassion hurt, if that makes sense
Sure hope it's better soon

[ZennaBug]

Scary!    I hope you feel better soon!