Pain Relief for Ulnar Nerve Inflammation

[Carole696]

My partner recently had surgery and about 10 days later he experienced tingling in his little finger and half of the ring finger or his right hand (surgery was a left side radical nephrectomy. At the time he was told there may have been some damage caused during the operation when he was moved or maybe his arm was lent on. This has now become excrutiating pain, mainly at night but becoming more so in the day as well now. He is on Gabapentin but it doesn't seem to have any effect, co-codomol doesn't seem to work and gives nasty side-effects.

The doctors all keep saying it can take several weeks before the pain killers really kick in but meanwhile he can't go on in this pain. Sleeping pills were helping when the pain wasn't too bad but now they don't help so he is not sleeping, which means I'm not and I am getting close to the point where I won't be able to look after him as I'm on the point of collapse myself.

We have heard about nerve block or nerve root injections. Any suggestions on how to reduce the pain while we wait for other things to start working?


Carole

[Gabgolly]

I woke up on March 13 of this year with this condition. Little finger and ring finger numb and tingly. At the time, I had soreness up to my mid upper arm as well. With acupuncture all that went away. I am left with the problems in my hand, palm and interaction now with thumb. Very painful in evening after a day of use. I take Lyrica 100mg every 8 hours. It helps a little. I sleep okay on 1 mg of Clonazepam but from ABOUT 3pm until bedtime, my hand gives me fits. It cramps, tingles, aches etc. I have to wear a glove on it for the cold sensitivity and do exercises. I think it is getting weaker and weaker. Doctors tell me it will heal with time. I do not believe them. It hurts all day but it is in the evening that I cannot stand it. I have an apt with a neurologist tomorrow an I so hope he doesn't give me the same old song and dance. Give it 6 months. I think in 6 months my hand will have lost significant function. This condition scares me very much and is frustrating.  Distraction  helps and typing like this is definitely not good but I had to see what others were hearing.

[marshallguitarman]

I crushed my elbow over six months ago. Reconstruction surgery. Severe ulnar nerve pain in the little finger and ring finger 24-7. I have had 3 nerve blocks which did nothing. Taken all nerve meds normally used for this condition with little relief. Currently take 250 mg of lyrica. Might reduce throbing a little. I only take hydrocodon after PT and extreme pain shuts me down. I had additional surgery to relocate the nerve. Did not help. I sleep an hour or two at a time. Best relief is standing with arm hanging. Normal tasks are difficult and painful. Quality of life went from great to 0. I have done a ton of research on this condition and have determined the future is not bright. I have to stay busy to keep my mind destracted or I will go crazy.

[bubba1212]

my partner recently was experiencing the same pain  for the last 5 years. same sensation on pinky finger  no sleep at night ,waking up massaging his hand.. we even considered surgery ,have even done nerve blocks, they work for a spell but the pain would always come back. even the cold would bother him,the rain couldnt even touch  his hand without causing severe pain. for the last 3 weeks he has actually had relieve to the pain. we recently started including FLAX SEED into his diet. 2 tablespoons per day mixed into a drink of his choice.. i could be wrong about this but i think he has helped him extremely, did i mention that he is also on high dosage of pain killers

[xiomara3915]

ive been seeing doctors bout this and they say i might have nerve damage i have no insurance so they dont do very much i need something to help with the pain like a few of u said it gets worst with the cold and as time had been going on its just getting worst. by the way ive had this since 2002 and it has always been bareable but lately its been so bad its effecting me at work. an arm brace usto help but now it just bugs me more than it helps what can i do its getting so bad that just a slight rub on my arm gives me pain and i lose strenght in my hand and i have numbness on my pinky and ring finger can somehelp please please please please. thanx

[ninefingersinhouston]

i had elbow surgery on my right tricep and five weeks later my two fingers ring and pinky have numbness and pain they say could be 2 months b4 i get feeling back i was taking tramecet i am just keeping my other fingers crossed

[Carole696]

Thanks for that, another option to add to the list. Fingers crossed we won't need more meds if the acupuncture continues to work as well as it has so far.

Carole

[ggreg]

Just had to chime in, that is really something about the acupuncture.  I take a cousin of the medication your partner does, it's one of those "gaba" medicines, called Lyrica, and I sleep really well and it kills very sharp pain in my low back.  The very first dose I took a year ago, for the first time in years I slept like a log and woke up without back pain.  So, that's another drug to consider, altho I had to increase my dose almost immediately from the basic 75mg right up to 250mg, but I'm fine on that.  By the way, I had wanted to comment on your statement that you yourself were about to collapse... my friend, I cannot sleep with my husband because he snores, so hit the couch if things get out of hand sometimes.  You can still nap together and such, but he needs you in good health.  All the best.

[Carole696]

Thanks Hangingtough and Redhen.

Since starting acupuncture David's pain has gone from about 9 out of 10 to between 1 and 3, depending on things like time of day and cold etc. but will certainly take note of the acetyl l-carnatine for future reference Redhen if the pain comes back.

Hangingtough, so sorry to read of your experience, maybe Redhen's bit of info could help you too. I hope it will all be sorted out quickly for you.

My thanks to both again for taking the time to contact me. Fingers crossed for a painfree future for all.

Carole

[redhen19]

I recently start taking acetyl l-carnatine and my nerve pain has improved so much that I was able to stop using narcotic pain medicine.  Lots information online about its use for nerve pain.




Good Luck

[hangingtough]

Wanted to tell you that I had a ganglion nerve block.  Never will I do it again.  I had extreme pain and it can be very, very dangerous.  Nobody bothered to tell me the risks. Be sure to explore all the risk before going forward.

[hangingtough]

II have had this same procedure over 3yrs. ago.  Unfortunately it was a worker's comp. issue and getting the proper health care is like pulling teeth.  I began just like your partner.  Now I still don't get a break from the pain and the cold weather makes it worse.  Since my injury I have never slept through the night without waking with numbness and pain.  My mobility in my pinky, ring and part of my middle finger have gotten worse.  Now I am having a hearing to get referred to a neurologist.  May I ask how your partner injured themself to cause the surgery?
Tracy