Neck and shoulder issues

[lynn]

Well, I think I officially have some sort of pinched nerve. The surgeon PA said last week, considering they open you like a clam, that my shoulder blades probably should hurt. Now, it just seems like something is pinched and the oxyconton is barely touching it and just makes me itch. I'm waiting for a script (which they had to send in the mail because it's a narcotic and I'm 2 hours away) for Dilaudin and I'm hoping that MIGHT help, hopefully it will be here tomorrow.

Anyone got any good ideas besides heating pad, I'm trying that but I can't use that too much either. UGH! I want to feel better!!!

 

[geebee]

Lynn,

I have fibromyalgia and my neck and shoulders are two of my pressure areas. I find that regular pain meds do not work for me (sorry). The only thing that works from a medication standpoint is Valium (or other muscle relaxing type drugs).

Usually I avoid the meds unless I just can't move. Massage is very helpful and I also use ThermaCare wraps. They make ones for the neck/shoulder area but I find those to be too small. I use a small size back one and lay it over the area. Unfortunately you have to kind of hold them in place with a chair back or a tight shirt but the heat lasts for about 8 hours and is great.

If you try massage, be sure to have the person use massage oil and, if you can find the kind that warms while being used, so much the better. It makes a huge difference in getting well into the muscle. A hot shower will also help but, obviously, that is fleeting. If you have access to a large hot tub - go for that. A regular tube will not work as it puts pressure on the very area you are trying to fix.

Also, make sure you are in a good position when sleeping. If your neck is bent while sleeping, you will end up in more pain.

Hope you get some relief as this can be very distracting pain. Best of luck to you.

 

[marky]

Lynn
I am sorry that you are in so much discomfort.
I remember that my neck and shoulders/back hurt more than anything after my surgery. I couldn't take narcotics so I took advil and had my husband massage them constantly (at least it seemed like that to him )

I was finally able to get back to the chiropractor at about 4mo post op.. and Woowwza did that feel better!

 

[Nan]

Lynn, sorry you are having such a hard time. I remember crying after my first OHS from the neck and shoulder pain. Massage and moist heat seemed to be the only thing that helped at all. Fortunately for me, this time is not quite as bad.

If you are comfortable with the idea of chiropractic that is also a possibility. I know not everyone is.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[savysmommy]

I have had chronic pain in my back, behind my shoulder blades since my surgery 1 1/2 years ago. It comes and goes, and seems to come most often when I am sleeping, which is odd. I am sorry your having so much pain. My back pain has slowed in frequency since the surgery, and hopefully yours will too.

I wonder if its possible that nerve damage could be done because of the surgery?? Have you tried massage?

Shannon

 

[bvdr]

Lynn, one of my daughter-in-laws gave me this real cuddly neck/shoulder wrap with mint smelling inserts that go briefly in the microwave and then pop back into the wrap for a spa like feel. It feels and smells so nice. I also use the heat patches Gina was referring to and they help too. I got a long-acting IM steroid injection a couple of weeks ago (to hold me over until I get a cervical epidura)l and also am now seeing a chiropractor. I'm also taking Oxycodone and a muscle relaxer at night, use a neck support and for several days the pain was much better but now I think the steroids are wearing off. I really understand what you are going through.

I've got a pinched nerve root in my neck but I think some of my pain is also from a nerve impingement in my shoulder. In the past I have gotten the injections into the shoulder joint which had excellent results one time and good results the next. You might want to consider asking about getting one if your pain doesn't improve soon. I spent the summer before last in PT for shoulder exercises and I don't think that helped me much but I hear it does great for a lot of people.

Shannon, unfortunately, it is pretty typical of nerve pain to be worse at night. I'm sorry so many of us are having this kind of pain.

 

[lynn]

Thanx everyone....all ideas are welcome! I just feel like this is imparing my healing cause I feel like CRAP Ugh!!

 

[Cooker]

I was finally able to get back to the chiropractor at about 4mo post op.. and Woowwza did that feel better!

Same here. I had terrible neck, shoulder and arm pain. Woke me up at night. I have never used a chiropractor but in desperation, and I mean desperation I agreed to give it a try. He had me 1000% better in about two weeks. It has not been totally resolved but it worked where meds would not.

I wish you the best in this.

Tom

 

[Marguerite53]

If you have access to a large hot tub - go for that.

QUOTE]

Gina. I worked with a woman who had fibromyalgia and I know it can be very troubling and painful. I do not think Lynn is ready for a soak. She just had her surgery very recently and I think that tub soaking is out of the question for awhile.

That said, I have no advice except to get someone who does naturopathic and therapeutic massage. On minor aches and pains, my husband and I use an analgesic product prescribed by a naturopath called sombra. It's rather amazing. www.Sombra-Online.com

I never had any problems like you are experiencing (however at 8 months out my scar is still wildly tender!! ). We all heal differently.

Good luck!

Marguerite

 

[lynn]

Oh, I forgot I had some Sombra, I've been using Bio-Freeze but will try the Sombra again!

Marguerite....did you get my email the other day?

 

[geebee]

If you have access to a large hot tub - go for that.

Gina. I worked with a woman who had fibromyalgia and I know it can be very troubling and painful. I do not think Lynn is ready for a soak. She just had her surgery very recently and I think that tub soaking is out of the question for awhile.

Marguerite

Marguerite,

Thanks for pointing that out as we all have different instructions from our surgeons.

As always, I would hope that no one on this site would follow any suggestions that go against any doctor's orders.

 

[KAJ]

Lynn,

I sure hope you get to feeling better soon. I also had a delay in starting on the road to recovery. I can identify with the shoulder and neck pain. I hurt everywhere in the back, neck and shoulder areas. Massages helped me more than anything. It was weeks before none of things bothered me.

Karl

 

[aussigal]

I also had very sore shoulders, back and neck from surgery and got relief from good old Valium and muscle relaxants and rest....pain-killers didnt work well.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I too had neck/shoulder/back pain post op....my shoulder pain felt like a trapped nerve.

The biggest thing that helped me was a V shaped pillow, just seemed to get everything in the right position.....it went after a week but i did feel lousy.

Other than that i've had a couple of episodes of back/arm pain which seem to be triggered by sitting in a hard chair for a long period....i tend to sit in softer chairs and not at a 90degree angle but more 120degrees but not slouching..

My neck still clicks sometimes and my shoulders are still stiff but i guess that will go in time...

 

[lynn]

Magic....I've seen you mention the v-shaped pillow before, I'm assuming it's for your neck?? I'm not sure I've ever seen one

 

[Marguerite53]

I seem to remember you Aussie's mentioning these V shaped pillows before and we never got a true notion of where you got them or what they were. In the US we have U shaped pillows, or cervical pillows...often used as travel pillows. There are scads of websites for orthopedic pillows (just google) as in Overstock.com or painreliever.com etc..

Lynn. I would honestly try to get a professional (and I honestly think a person who does massage who is connected to a chiropractor is a great starting point) to pinpoint your aggravation. Then, get yourself a proper pillow or conversation on how best to support your "wounded" body during the healing so it improves. It could very well be being exaxcerbated by your posture due to the intensity of the surgery.

Wishing you some relief!! (oh, and btw, last email I received was 12/19)

Marguerite

 

[Magic8Ball]

Magic....I've seen you mention the v-shaped pillow before, I'm assuming it's for your neck?? I'm not sure I've ever seen one

Yeh, the point of the V goes behind your head and the two legs come down either behind or in front of your shoulders. It's very comfortable and i'm still using it now 5 weeks post surgery. It supports your head without putting your entire top half of your body on an angle...

To be honest, i never shop for anything so i can't say i would know where to get them from but i'd assume that a bedding store or the bedding department of a large department store would have them.

My mum bought it for me when i complained of my shoulder pain and she found one easy, she'd bought one previously in the UK for my Nan when she was ill with cancer.

Regards.

 

[Magic8Ball]

Try this

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/banana_pillow_more.php

 

[aussiemember]

Try this

http://www.the-pillow.com.au/more/banana_pillow_more.php

Dave,
Thanks so much for the website. I was able to use it to find a local supplier and went out today and got a couple of different shaped comfort pillows. The problem will be keeping them away from the rest of the family as my teenage daughter has currently pinched one to use as she lays on the floor reading!!! I don't need them just yet but it is good to know they'll be ready when I do