Pain in my Neck...literally!

I haven't posted much this week, found out on Thursday that somehow I have a pinched nerve in my neck. It started Monday night.  I offered to clean my sister's apt after she and her husband moved into their new house.  I came down with a horrible headache shortly after I got home from cleaning and I thought maybe I inhaled too many fumes or something.  By Wed night I was starting to feel like the headache was more muscular.. Went to the Dr on Thursday and things are all jumbled up in my neck.  No, that wasn't the official diagnosis, although I would love to see that on paper...lol....

Although I was in significant pain, I did not ask for pain meds. I asked for muscle relaxers and PT which she was already writing scripts for.  The muscle relaxers are so-so.  I can literally feel the line of pain travel from my head, neck, down my back and into my leg.  And all on the right side.  As of now this pain is tolerable and I hope it stays that way. I hope I can remain this strong over the weekend and need some encouragement.  I feel good about making it this far, but I'm nervous if the pain gets worse that I'll cave and I REALLY don't want to.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I see a few new names here.  That's great.  Just more support!

[TimH2]

Sorry you are in so much pain. I think neck pain is only second to tooth pain. You should be so proud that you did not take a rx for pain meds. Kudos to you!!! My doc gave me flexiril and it knocks the socks off me. I guess it is a strong muscle relaxer??  You know we will be here to support you and I pray that you have no more pain. Keep up the good fight!!!!

God Bless,
Tim

[blueyz]

Thanks Tim.

I was thinking that this would have been one of those times that pain meds would have been a good option, forrrrrrrrr a normal person.  But I am too close to my sobriety date to want to start over.  I also want to buck up and see what I can actually tolerate.  Seems I used to ask for them whenever I got a friggin hangnail.  I am getting by right now, although I am NOT comfortable.  I have heard of people getting hooked on muscle relaxers, but don't understand how. It takes enough effort to blink or swallow, but it doesn't really let me sleep. That's just annoying, at least knock me out!  Like last night I got to sleep, but was up at 3am, couldn't sleep and was very uncomfortable. The Dr. gave me Zanaflax and Methocarbomal...Haven't taken the 2nd one yet.  Anyone heard of it yet.  

I guess I am just rambling, but I know that posting will help me during the weak moments. Geez, if (her name escapes me, but I don't want to lose this post by going back to look) can do it with Kidney stones, than I can do it!

Thanks again for the response.  Not too many, hope I didn't **** anyone off last week.

[TimH2]

I wanted to check in with you this morning and see how you are doing?? Emmi is the person with the kidney stones, her full s/n is Emilyanne and she is a sweetheart. You are a very strong person and you didn't **** anyone off last week!!!!!!  You are an important member of this forum and we are lucky to have you.

God Bless,
Tim

[marcatj]

hi honey.. for hwat it's worth, i don't believe pain killers are used generally for pinched nerves.. i think muscle relaxers are, which you're taking.

NOW - thats not to sya you don't have pain and i'm not trying to talk you out of taking something you may need!  I am only telling you this in case you are on the fence.. and needing a push.  does that make sense?

I hope you feel better today...
-mj

[tzt2lady]

Hi hon and congrats on your sobriety.  I have been following your posts and am so proud of your accomplishments.   I am sorry that you are in pain.    Remember that there are different types of muscle relaxers so if one doesnt work you might ask for a different kind.   Flexerils and some other type (cant remember the name) didn't help me but Somas do help.   Anytime I stop taking muscle relaxers I don't feel withdrawals but i guess some people have been addicted to them.

good luck and i admire your courage.
tzt

[Carebear215]

I have been taking Soma's for my neck pain my doctor told me if it keeps up the stifness in my neck he felt my neck and said it was so stiff and tensed up. But if its still like that next time I go back he will do some XRays of it to be sure nothing is wrong.
I believe its just stress, that is where I hold a lot of my stress and I have a lot of it.
Have 4 kids, a house full of animals, we have been short on money the pass 2 months, my husband drives long haul so I am left to deal with it pretty much alone.
But hey we have to find a way to deal with the cards we are dealt.

[blueyz]

Thanks guys for checking in. I am doing ok.  The pain is pretty consistant, but the muscle relaxers and ibuprophen 800 seem to do the trick every couple hours.  Last night I thought about the pain meds and I just knew that they wouldn't even help with this type of pain. I am looking forward to PT on Monday, I know they will do a long, deep tissue massage.That should make a big difference.

I am still baffled at how I even did this in the first place. My shoulder is shot to &*((, (the numerous surgeries that got me here in the first place) and my Dr thinks I just over-did it with helping my sister move and clean. It's amazing how much your body compensates when you don't even know it.

What does feel good is that I didn't really have that struggle with the meds this time.  I didn't try to rationalize the use of them.  I just knew they really wouldn't help with this. I feel like this is a good step, like something has clicked in my brain and I'm thinking like a normal person again.

Thanks for checking in on me and I appreciate all of your encouragement.  

[TimH2]

I hope you are feeling better today. I am glad you could find some relief and hope it gets better soon. It seems like a few of us are having some type of pain in the last few days. I pulled a muscle in my shoulder and it was hard getting comfortable last night.

You are doing great and are on you way to sober living. Keep up the battle!!

God Bless,
Tim