Pinched nerve - agonising pain

I’ve used acupuncture, too, DorothyL, and found that and seeing an osteopath the most helpful. The acupuncturist also does a deep massage, which helps to release all the muscles. I had somehow shifted my pelvis, which of course rearranged my whole back! I hope you find some relief soon.

Thank you so much for your help- so sorry I took so long to reply, am in so much pain, am struggling to cope, and especially typing is very uncomfortable.
Yes, I had an X ray of shoulder (normal), but already knew I had fused neck vertebrae C6and C6, which were diagnosed 15 years ago - but never caused pain before so I don’t know if that’s the issue.
I am doing neck exercises given by massage/physio therapist, and having weekly treatments of trigger point massage alternated with acupuncture.
The only drugs I’m taking are CMD Núcleo Forte which is highly recommended for actually treating (rather than relieving) arthritic pain, and codeine/paracetamol when pain becomes unbearable.
It eases for a day or two every few days, then back with a vengeance. No particular trigger, I don’t know what sets it off.
Today I went to see grandchildren in a parade. I walked about 200m and have been in terrible pain since. Am in bed almost immobilised now, have taken codeine and will see if they help together with a test.
Thank you again for your help and I hope you get your problems sorted out:relieved soon.

DorothyL - have you had an x-ray? I was x-rayed about 20 yrs ago when I was suffering neck ache (not much pain, just real discomfort) and was found to have 2 cervical vertebrae fused causing trapped nerve. I was recommended a book by Robin McKenzie called Treat your own Neck. Have a Google. It has been my go to bible for his exercises ever since when I get a flare up. My last flare up was about 10 years ago and was a bit different and sounds very much as you describe yours - starting in my shoulder ending up excruciating. Out came my Robin McKenzie book and the exercises eventually worked. At no time was it suggested I take any other medication apart from paracetamol.

About 4 months ago I had a fall and hurt my other shoulder which has slowly been getting worse. I managed to see an physiotherapist the other day and he has given me a few targeted exercises and said it would take about 3 months. I'm also doing my neck exercises as it's recently set that off again. Fingers crossed now as I'm feeling pretty miserable with it at the moment.

Just before Xmas I was put on a 16 day reducing course of Prednisolone for a completely different dermatological problem. Starting 40mg per day for 4 days reducing by 10 mg every 4 days, which has helped, but is now being managed with a different regime as too much prednisolone can be quite damaging. However, as a side effect my shoulder problem completely disappeared, but came back after the prednisolone stopped.

I really think, as many others suggest, that exercise is the best way to go, but targeted to your needs. Also an x-ray may help with a more accurate diagnosis.

Sorry this is a bit rambling, but I hope it may help. I wish you luck in getting on top of the problem as I can feel your pain.

I had a frozen shoulder and attended physio for months. Every time I went the shoulder had worsened and eventually I couldn't hold a hairdryer, struggled to get my arm I to my sleeve, etc. Eventually I was given steroid injections by the physio and it was like a miracle - no more pain and I gradually regained full movement in my shoulder. Fast forward a couple of years and I felt the other shoulder start to stiffen up too. This time I went straight to my GP and he co firmed it was a frozen shoulder. He told me to do my physio exer ises but to do them as often as I could. He said when he had a frozen shoulder he did the exercises in the couple of minutes he had between his patient appointments. He said doing the exercises two or threetimes a day wouldn't help. SoI did the exercises diligently ( along with the exercises for OA in my right hip and left knee). The shoulder never got any worse and the pain and stiffening went away. If you have exercises do try to do them as often as you can.

I have a pinched nerve in my spine and, as you say, very, very painful

Yes I thought prednisone was steroid for breathlessness and chest infection not for a pinched nerve or possible frozen shoulder???? I agree with everyone else physio and I would get another opinion

Ibuprofen to reduce any swelling/ inflammation and an Osteopath to re-align everything. Even when your trapped nerve slips back into place, the local muscles will be "screaming" so rest and painkillers will help, so give it a bit of time

grandtanteJE65

You need a chiropractor!

Very rarely put anything on here but wanted to share my experience with these conditions. I have had trapped nerve in the neck twice and, on one occasion, at the same time as frozen shoulder (in both shoulders at one point.
For the frozen shoulder my GP tried injecting in the shoulder but it didn’t help. Nothing really helped with that other than exercises with a stretchy band recommended by a physiotherapist.
The only thing that helped with the trapped nerve was a chiropractor as suggested by Grandtante

I had steroid injection for frozen shoulder which resolved it almost immediately. Hope you feel better soon

I had a frozen shoulder, no treatment (hate gp's, hosp) lasted 6 months, couldn't turn round in car etc. My friend had one, had lots of treatment, still lasted 6 months.

I too would try physio. Whilst you are juggling the dose of your medication, are they having any effect? If so, why not continue until end of course. If not, well, physio seems your next option. Good Luck, so awkward as affects head, neck, arm movement

I had a similar problem which was resolved with alexander technique lessons. You should check to see if there are any teachers in your area. Best treatment I have ever come across.

You say you are having physio - is it possible to have this alongside hydrotherapy. Worked wonders on my frozen shoulder a few years ago. I was due an operation on my shoulder but, because I was sole carer for my elderly mother, my Consultant decided steroid injections plus the exercises would be preferable. They lasted 10 weeks plus resistance bands used alongside but it definitely worked.

DH had this prohlem about 10 years ago. His GP prescribed paracetamol and amiltrryptin (?), which was useless and was vey unwilling to refer him on, so we went private.

The private consultant replace amiltryptin (?) with gabapentin, which did work, sent him for an MRI scan to exactly diagnose his problem, followed by 3 steroid injections into hi shoulder. Done under Xray in order to ensure each injection went into exactly the right place. pain killers topped immediately and he hasn't had a twinge in his arm since.

Osteopath would be better than physio I didn’t get very far with physio

Cannot advise on drugs BUT I get a lot of trapped/pinched nerves.

Strongly recommend sports massage or physio or even acupuncture. Ice pack or hot pack for some immediate relief.

You need a chiropractor!

DorothyL. What you wrote at 10:58 makes sense.

As the Presnisolone seems to be working then it must be some localised inflammation.

I did look up frozen shoulder on the NHS website. It says this:

It's often not clear why people get a frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder happens when the tissue around your shoulder joint becomes inflamed.

The tissue then gets tighter and shrinks, which causes pain.

Frozen shoulder can happen because:

you had an injury or surgery that keeps you from moving your arm normally

you have diabetes – it's still unclear why this is, but it's important to have your regular diabetes check-ups to catch any problems early.

The American Diabetes Assocation says: Doctors aren't entirely certain why people with diabetes get frozen shoulder more often than people who don't have diabetes. It could be a result of high glucose. One theory: Glucose molecules may attach to the collagen of the lining of the shoulder, making an already stiff area even stiffer.

I don’t have diabetes but I do know that sugar can aggravate my own inflammatory condition, even natural sugars in foods. Sweet potato is a big culprit as are other foods with high levels of mannitol, for example, watermelon.

If the problem reoccurs, it might be worth looking at your diet.

Can you book an osteopath appt? I have found them better than a physio for the back and neck problems I have had.

Luckily I live next door to the clinic of the one I have used several times so very easy to hobble there.
Sympathies.

I understand your reluctance to take oxycontin but as someone who is currently taking it with gabapentin, which is also addictive, I thought I'd share my experience. I needed good pain relief following a recent accident, not just so I could sleep, move and have a reasonable quality of life but also so I could cough and breathe. Amongst other things I'd had a pneumothorax and then developed a lung infection. I spent two week in hospital on a huge cocktail of drugs. I've found tapering off the drugs has been fine, it's been done slowly with instructions to take notice of my pain levels and to try to ensure I stay "comfortable". I've had side effects ie nausea, constipation and feeling very tired but the pain management has been excellent. Obviously your choice about what you wish to take but I wouldn't want anyone to read your post and think it's an unsafe drug. Taken under medical supervision for the right reasons it is a very effective slow release pain killer ie it's effects last for 12 hours. Frozen shoulder is horrible, I hope it gets better soon. I'm sure you know this but it is important to keep some gentle movement going.

Bowen Therapy worked for me. I know that many people are sceptical when I mention this, but if you're at your wits' end, this gentle, yet effective, therapy could do for you what it did for me. Here's a link which explains it better than I can.
www.bowen-technique.co.uk/

Thanks so far to all those who have kindly replied.
I have been going to private physio weekly since this began (not available on state health here until months after diagnosis), but although she is marvellous she has not yet been able to fix it.
She agreed I take short course of steroids 5 days + 5 day taper off. We both agreed I should ignore doc’s 28 day prescription!
The pain has been brutal and unmanageable 🥺 and the steroids immensely relieving, but I would not take as painkillers - am on,y taking I hope that short steroid burst will calm inflammation so help healing.
Does this make sense?? 🤷🏼‍♀️

You could try shiatsu or sports massage.. I find more effective than drugs

Firstly, prednisolone is a powerful anti-inflammatory so I would only take it if it has been confirmed that the pain is caused by inflammation. I’d be wary of a doctor who prescribes highly-addictive opiods such as Oxycontin.

Secondly 60mg of Prednisolone is a large dose, usually the maximum that is prescribed for anything not least because of the effects it can have on the body.

Prednisole will quickly take over the natural function of the adrenal glands which is to secret steroid hormones. That’s why the taper is necessary - to coax them back into performing that function.

Long-term users of Prednisolone will know that you have to taper very slowly or symptoms will return. I have to take it sometimes for a relapsing and remitting auto immune condition. Even when I am in a severe flare I am prescribed no more than 40mg a day orally. It’s necessary to control severe inflammation but it makes me feel utterly wired and unable to sleep at night even when I take it in the morning.

That said, if you do have some temporary inflammation, then Prednisolone should work quickly and you should start to feel a measure of relief within a few days. if it doesn’t work then it’ll be a good indicator that the problem isn’t inflammation.

Finally, make sure you check the contraindications. Make sure it is safe for you to take.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/prednisolone/who-can-and-cannot-take-prednisolone-tablets-and-liquid/

I think if I was going to tinker with drugs prescribed by a doctor I would get some advice from a pharmacist first. The I would get a physio app.