Hi I am Helen.
Joined the community as seems to have usefull information.

I am currently having to work part time due to severe fatigue, joint pain , shaking hands, legs and neck arm pain.

In canada i have to wait another 2 months to see Rhemy after my MRI. I got desperate with nerve pain not resolved by codiene and pleaded for Gabapentin from GP.
It worked great for my sharp nerve pain for the first week, thought I was cured but now it seems to be coming back. I feel like I am being stabbed in my right shoulder with referred pain down my right arm and hand. I know i have osteophytes pressing on nerve in forminal opening C5 C6 form MRI 2 years ago.
Gabapentin has reduced my shaking a lot. Also have sacro illiac problems too.

My Dr now referred me to neuro too. Still waiting to be given date of appointment two weeks later.

Any ideas how to manage the nerve pain. Lyrica made me depressed. On so many drugs. SSRI. Arthrotec, T3 breakthrough. Codeine contin 100mg BID. Gabapentin 300 bid.

Anyway hope to learn a lot and get back to work which i desperately need to do

Helen

Helen,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hi Helen--the pain going shoulder arm and into fingers...def appears issues with your neck . You really need to get a new MRI as soon as possible and take it to a good neuro surgeon and always get 2 or 3 consults. Does your fingertips tingle?

[QUOTE=mg neck prob;965813]Hi Helen--the pain going shoulder arm and into fingers...def appears issues with your neck . You really need to get a new MRI as soon as possible and take it to a good neuro surgeon and always get 2 or 3 consults. Does your fingertips tingle?[/QUOTE
Yes the fingers and right arm do tingle. Had new MRI 10 days ago but will not get the results until April!! It is very discouraging to have to wait for so long. Thanks for your imput.

VoyagerPearl

Honestly I would give the general Primary doctor's office a call and explain that the gabapentin is working to a degree. But that you really need it upped. It is a really low dosage.

And I'm not sure if you take it once, twice or three times a day. But recommendation is 3 times. I take mine 2 times only because I can't
remember the 3rd time. So my primary made it so its the same dosage
twice a day for me. I take 1200mg a day. But I've taken it for 3 or so years.
Maybe longer. I honestly am not positive.

Donna

Hi Voyagerpearl I'm really hope I can help you, if nothing else listen. we have the same damage to the c5-6 it is one hell of a trip getting this treated properly or at least to where you feel somewhat normal again. I am on lyrica which really helped me ive been on it for 1yr before that it was 3600mg Gabapetin a day. latest med that really has helped is cymbalta 120mg a day so to give you an idea of my meds now which seems to be the best ive ever been on 120mg cybalta, 450mg lyrica, 200mg tegratol, oxyneo 10mg x 4 and oxycodone 5mg up to 3 a day, flexeral 10mg up to 3 a day. I started the cymbalta just after xmas and it is really helping it took a bit. You cant take the ssri with it but it has that in it from what I understand. The oxyneo is a long acting so one pill last up to 8 hrs for me it is about 7. I really hope this gives you some extra insight.

Yes that does help. I will be seeing my primary on thursday. I must admit the codeine is not really helping either now. I will definately ask to to up the Gabapentin and ask about the other suggestions. I am kind of scared to ask for more Narcotics as I feel I am worried that she will think I just want drugs but I need to be more comfortable. I have to drive for my job so have to be careful to that I am not impaired by the medications,. BUT pain is stopping my enjoyment of life and effecting my work life too.

So which kind of doctor has helped you most? Neuro, rheumy, primary ?

Thanks for your support.

You might ask about the cymbalta also. Reason being its for depression and anxiety. And it also helps with nerve pain.

It was something I took until I had to stop because of insurance purposes.
At one point I didn't have insurance anymore.

Donna

Hi again, you asked witch Dr helped me the most. It has really been more than one working together. First my primary Dr referred me to a pain management specialist who prescribed the proper amount of medication to help with my pain . My Psychiatrist is the Dr who probably saved my life by prescribing the Lyrica before I could get into the specialist witch took almost 3 yrs now I do have so much more of my life back and can function at a normal pace most day's, this mnth so far I have had more good day's than bad which is a first. Please let me know how you make out, don't worry about the Drs thinking you have drug seeking behaviour because you don't you have to fight for yourself first that is something I have learnt maybe tell you Dr you don't want them to think that and that it bothers you they might. Good Luck