Arm & hand pain so severe just want to die

[inpainsince03]

I have SEVERE arm and hand pain, with numbing, tingling, STINGING that hurts so severe I can't stand it, and burning. It's a chore to close my fingers with that going on and with stiffness. I have degenerative bone disease with
C5 & C7 neural foraminal stenosis. I also have many and various disc bulges in the neck and back with a mild disc bulg in the back. Every doctor and specialist I've gone to can't seem to help my severe and chronic pain. I've pain to my Primary Care, Othorpedic and NeuroSurgeons, and even Pain Specialists. Now my PCP wants me to see a pain person (I forgot what he called it) about injections, which isn't the cortisone one which doesn't help at all, for people with muskoskeletal problems. I hope this works because I've been such a biatch, emotional, and dependent on other's for the simplest thing's. I can't even shower sometimes because the pain with all the other symptoms added on are so bad. I'm on Lyrica 75mg 4 times a day and Percocet 5mg/325 twic a day (like that little will work after I've been on that same amount for almost 6 years) and even that doesn't work just dopes me up. Sometimes I actually feel like killing myself because of this. Now I understand why some people do that, in pain soooo bad that they just want to end it. I never understood it before but now I do. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Cindee56]

I'm sorry you are in such pain.  Since the pain got severe, have you told the doctor that you need something stronger?  They can't expect you to continue in this amount of pain.  Also, do you have someone with you, husband or parent?  You shouldn't be alone when you're feeling this way.

I have two herniated discs in my neck and my lower back/hips/knees is a mess.  I know the horrible pain.  I wish I had more of an answer.  I am much older than you, and it's hard for me, I can imagine how you feel, and your profile says you have a young son.  Do you have any help to take care of him?

Maybe you should go back to the surgeon and complain, unless you tried that already.  In my experience, doctors don't want to hear it if you say something didn't work or you're still hurting, but he should know anyway.

In the meantime, all I can think of is try using ice and/or heat.  I prefer ice.  I use it to numb the pain.  My husband made me sort of a belt that I wrap around my back and over my hips with ice packs for when my pain is so bad.  I don't take pain pills, either, because of my high blood pressure.

I have been where you are feeling like you can't take it and you're rather be dead than live in this pain.  But you're young and you can't give up!  Go to the ER if you have to and DEMAND that they do something!  Good luck, let me know how it goes!

[Deb32953]

You have degenerative "disk" disease, not "bone." When the pain goes down your arm & hand its usually from a pinched nerve in your neck. The injections your Dr. is talking about are for low back only, none for neck & will not help. Try going to a Pain Management Specialist or Physiatrist who are experts at diagnosing & treating pain or possible a chiropracter (don't let them twist you) that can help w/alternative therapies. I have a 360 degree fusion w/hardware from L2-S1 after over 13 back surgeries & now have cervical spinal stenosis which causes the same effect. I also have an interthecal pump (Pain pump) implant w/Diliadid & Baclovin but only 25% of meds reach my neck so I take Oxycodone as well & see a wholistic chiroprator & have massage therapy weekly. I also have degenerative disk & joint disase w/failed surgery on L shoulder which causes a lot of pain. They can put the pain pumps up higher for neck pain. My surgeon told me that fixing our type of neck problem is a simple out-patient procedure but I am surgery-allergic at this point. I also have multiple sclerosis & 100% disabled from my back & also have 9 yr-old son, Noah (& 2 adult kids). If your current doc won't up the pain meds, find a pain management specialist. They do have a lot to offer if you don't want surgery.  Check out this web page about Physiatrists www.aapmr.org. By the way, Lyrica made me gain 32 lbs in 2 months! Deby

[Deb32953]

Forgot a comment: I've been in such terrible pain that I've thought also about suicide but only for a moment. Suicide is a VERY selfish act since you are doing it to help YOUR pain. YOURSELF! Think of all the PAIN you would cause to EVERYONE who knows & loves you. Your son would be traumatized for the rest of his life & would blame himself. I don't know if you believe in God or in heaven or hell but I do. You think this pain is bad? This life on Earth is short. Would you rather burn in hell for all eternity? PAIN forever? Don't ever think that again & don't ever say it to anyone. I mentioned to a Physicians' Assistant once that I'd be glad when I died so I'd finally be out of pain & could look down from heaven & watch my children & grandchildren grow. He immediately called the police & they Baker Acted me in the psych ward of the hospital for 2 days until I finally convinced them I was a Christian & would NEVER do such a thing. Be careful what you say to people! Just a suggestion.