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Post by Sam on Jul 9, 2014 19:08:57 GMT
I have never had physical pain like this - something towards the middle of my upper back/neck area has decided it wants to act like Satan. I can hardly hold my head up and the pain is shooting down my arm. I've tried downing Ibuprofen like M&Ms and a deep heat spray but, until I get to the clinic tomorrow, that's all I've got. Any ideas, because I look like some kind of hunchback right now and can hardly move!  Sent from a hunched up position not using Tapatalk |
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Post by traceys on Jul 9, 2014 19:11:21 GMT
I'm sorry....I don't have any advice except that I use a heating pad for lower back pain, but I don't know if that's the right thing for you. I hope you can get some relief soon!
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Post by tinydogmafia on Jul 9, 2014 19:13:46 GMT
It sounds like you might have a pinched nerve especially because it radiates down your arm. Have you tried ice? You might want to see if you can get some PT. That can help too. I'm sorry you're dealing with this!
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Post by Sam on Jul 9, 2014 19:19:15 GMT
I'm sorry....I don't have any advice except that I use a heating pad for lower back pain, but I don't know if that's the right thing for you. I hope you can get some relief soon! Thanks, traceys - I don't have a heating pad, but used the heat spray earlier and not much good, which is strange because on the odd occassion I have a 'twinge' heat is what I turn to! |
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Post by Sam on Jul 9, 2014 19:20:59 GMT
It sounds like you might have a pinched nerve especially because it radiates down your arm. Have you tried ice? You might want to see if you can get some PT. That can help too. I'm sorry you're dealing with this! Thanks, tinydogmafia (LOL - great name, BTW) - I hadn't thought of ice, but will give that a go as well. I'll go to the walk in centre tomorrow and see what they say as well, but (I'm lucky) I never get things like this so am just at a loss, really! |
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Post by angieh1996 on Jul 9, 2014 19:21:29 GMT
My mom had those symptoms. She did PT and when that didn't help she had a MRI which showed she had herniated a disc in her neck. Hers resulted in surgery. She said the pain in her arm was unbearable. Hope you get to feeling better
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Post by travelscrapper on Jul 9, 2014 19:21:29 GMT
If you have the funds I would try 2 things--- either a good massage or get the new icy hot patch with the electrodes.
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Post by meowgal on Jul 9, 2014 19:22:31 GMT
I seriously think you need medical attention. It could be a slipped disk.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,402
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 9, 2014 19:23:17 GMT
Do you sit hunched over the computer for long spells? I'd go to a chiropracter if I were you.
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Post by cahwoo on Jul 9, 2014 19:24:09 GMT
Are you sure it's just a muscle or pinched nerve? Are you sure it's not heart related? I wouldn't wait. I would get to a ER or urgent care as soon as I could.
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Post by woodysbetty on Jul 9, 2014 19:27:03 GMT
Try alternating heat and ice.....hope you feel better soon!!
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Post by miss_lizzie on Jul 9, 2014 19:28:18 GMT
Could you call your clinic and ask to speak to a nurse? Or does your insurance have a nurse line? I've called both when I've needed to and gotten good advice. And if tve pain is that bad, could you go to urgent care or the emergency room? I hope you feel better soon.
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Post by austnscrapaddict on Jul 9, 2014 19:28:48 GMT
Are you sure it's just a muscle or pinched nerve? Are you sure it's not heart related? I wouldn't wait. I would get to a ER or urgent care as soon as I could. This was my thinking also,, Please please get it checked out. especially as female's we don't have typical Heartattack symptoms! |
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 9, 2014 19:28:59 GMT
Alternate ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Take one type, then 2 hours later take the other. This is really effective.
Good luck!
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Post by Sam on Jul 9, 2014 19:31:30 GMT
Thank you so much for your answers - I don't think it's heart related with my symptoms.
I do tend to be at a computer for most of the day and it might well be related to how I sit, so that might be a consideration.
I will definitely go to the walk in centre first thing in the morning...faster and easier than trying to get an appointment with my GP which would be a few days wait and I want to get on top of this before the weekend!
I literally look like a little old lady at the moment, all hunched up and crooked (!) and, as I said, am so fortunate that this is not something I have experienced before.....I just want it to go away!
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Post by Sam on Jul 9, 2014 19:32:51 GMT
Alternate ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Take one type, then 2 hours later take the other. This is really effective. Good luck! Thank you - I know ibuprofen well, but not the other, so will check at he pharmacist in the morning  |
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 9, 2014 20:02:04 GMT
Acetaminophen is Tylenol. It is safe to take together. My dentist recommends this.
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Post by mellyw on Jul 9, 2014 20:51:47 GMT
Acetaminophen is Tylenol. It is safe to take together. My dentist recommends this. I don't think Tylenol is sold as a brand in the UK. At least not when I lived there. Sam, I hope you get it figured out. I get pain in that area from Rheumatoid Arthritis, & it's so hard to find a position that helps. You'd think laying down would do it but it rarely does for me. I have used Icy/Hot patches that help. Not sure what they are called in the UK though. |
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Post by fruitysuet on Jul 9, 2014 21:02:57 GMT
Alternate ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Take one type, then 2 hours later take the other. This is really effective. Good luck! apparently acetaminophen is what we call paracetamol here. I'm so sorry that you have such bad pain. I hope it eases somewhat overnight and you can get it figured what is the cause of it. |
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Post by justkallie on Jul 9, 2014 21:05:03 GMT
I seriously think you need medical attention. It could be a slipped disk. I agree - anything with pain radiating that far from the source should be checked out... |
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Post by tanyab on Jul 9, 2014 21:11:37 GMT
Could it be shingles? My dh just had this, but on his lower trunk, and the pain radiated along the nerve like that. Just a thought!
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 9, 2014 21:49:20 GMT
Perhaps you have a herniated disc. I wouldn't let anyone touch you right now until you have an MRI. I'd call a doctor to be seen as soon as possible. Even though heat feels better, for inflammation ice, ice ice!
Hope you get some relief soon!
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Post by slkone on Jul 9, 2014 21:54:32 GMT
Perhaps you have a herniated disc. I wouldn't let anyone touch you right now until you have an MRI. I'd call a doctor to be seen as soon as possible. Even though heat feels better, for inflammation ice, ice ice! Hope you get some relief soon! Yes, ice it. It might not feel good when you have it on, but it makes a difference! Do not go to a chiropractor without seeing a physician first. If it's going down your arm, it is most likely a neck thing, and you don't want anyone messing with that. |
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 9, 2014 23:38:48 GMT
Perhaps you have a herniated disc. I wouldn't let anyone touch you right now until you have an MRI. I'd call a doctor to be seen as soon as possible. Even though heat feels better, for inflammation ice, ice ice! Hope you get some relief soon! Yes, ice it. It might not feel good when you have it on, but it makes a difference! Do not go to a chiropractor without seeing a physician first. If it's going down your arm, it is most likely a neck thing, and you don't want anyone messing with that. Based on personal experience I concur - stay away from a chiropractor! I went from his table directly to the surgeon's table. The pain he caused me was 10 times worse than going through child labor naturally. |
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Post by Sam on Jul 10, 2014 6:33:39 GMT
Thanks for the responses, everyone! I'm going to go to the walk in centre before work so hopefully they'll be able to figure out what's going on and how I can get this sorted out! That sounds terrible, I am so sorry you went through that and will take heed of your warning Quite a few have suggested it could be a slipped or herniated disc and I have had a quick look on-line and it certainly does fit the symptoms. I hope it isn't! |
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Post by gar on Jul 10, 2014 6:34:52 GMT
Let us know how you get on!
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Post by Sam on Jul 10, 2014 6:53:17 GMT
Let us know how you get on! Will do, gar! |
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wenchie
Junior Member
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Post by wenchie on Jul 10, 2014 7:13:28 GMT
Alternate ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Take one type, then 2 hours later take the other. This is really effective. Good luck! Actually, you need to be very careful about how much and how often you take those. Alternating is good advice, but not every 2 hours. I would suggest taking 3 x 200mg (OTC strength) ibuprofen every 8 hours. You want to push that dose higher for more pain relief and reduce inflammation. You can take a 2 x 500mg dose of acetaminophen every 8 hours, space that dosing between the ibuprofen (so alternating every 4 hours).
I would also suggest icing it. And not with frosting (a little medical humor there. very little...) You can make a great ice pack with 2 Ziploc bags: fill one bag with ice and water about 2/3 full, squeeze out excess air. Slip that bag inside the other and squeeze out excess air. The ice and water combo makes it colder than ice alone and gives it more surface contact with the injured area.
Also, no to the chiropractor until you get an x-ray or other imaging done. A chiro could potentially really screw it up.
Sorry you are hurting. Are you in Canada by any chance? If so your country sells an OTC muscle relaxer that is awesome: methocarbamol. That can be especially helpful. Good luck and hope that helps!
-Theresa, Registered Pharmacist for 24 years. ETA: acetaminophen is paracetamol. Sorry I didn't read further, I would have noticed that you are in UK, I just saw erroneous drug info posted and I had to post and correct it ASAP. Just because your dentist recommends it doesn't mean that it is appropriate in every instance.
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Deleted
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Sept 28, 2024 14:20:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2014 7:24:58 GMT
Methocarbamol is Robaxacet with codeine. It is sold over the counter here. It is pretty good. There is also Spasm Halt which is the same thing but stronger. Works like a hot dam!
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wenchie
Junior Member
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Post by wenchie on Jul 10, 2014 7:44:10 GMT
Methocarbamol may be *in* Robaxacet with cod. but I am sure I bought plain methocarb. 400mg tabs up in Canada years ago. Robaxin is branded methocarbamol.
Definitely ask the dr about a muscle relaxer when you are seen, OP. And good luck!
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