[Catherine95624]

I recently face a chronic pain on my left forearm that I could not even lift it up and down normally as my right arm. I have showed up at the ER so many times, but those neurologists think the problem was my brain because my original illness was Epilepsy that's why they think seizures make my muscles pain. They took the LP, CAT scan and other tests on my brain but they all turn out negative. Finally, I ended up with those Vicodins from my family doctor. Until now, my left foream still ends up hurt with no reason and I could not sleep that I have to take Vicodins regularly with Ambiens, the sleeping aid.
I just took the MRI, but my neurosurgeon also said that it's a regrow cys on my neck and it's not serious enough for surgery. I don't understand what to do now, Please help me for I can't sleep with those pain. When I ask for the morphines, those docs say "no" because I am an addict. When I go to the Er asking for the morphines, those docs diagnose my neck not my arm and they say those neck tests were negative that I don't need morphines. When I am home, I am suffering with the pain and sleepless all night that I have to take those vicodins.

Anyone, have any idea what's wrong with my arm and why those docs thinking it has any relation with my neck. I mean at least when I am saying to them that my foream hurts and my brain test turn out negative, they could have asked another question that should my arm has any fracture right? Am I right? I am not a doc, I don't know. That's why I need help. Please, anyone advise.


Cat.

[Koala77]

I'm not sure if this will be very helpful Catherine, but as an MSer I get this sort of pain in my legs from time to time. It's possible your arm pains might be similar, although obviously with a different origin.

Plain Magnesium (not the one that's mixed with anything like Zinc) is available over the counter and can often give relief. It does sound like you might be having muscle spasms, and Valium (Diazepam) is another medication that can possibly help. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give them a try.

I do hope you find relief soon as I'm sure you don't want to be taking narcotics long term.

[glenntaj]

From what you're describing, it does seem like you need a more thorough examination of your cervical spine/neck area, and perhaps of your shoulder/brachial plexus area in the upper back as well.

I understand, if you've had seizure conditions in the past, how a lot of doctors could assume that what you're experiencing results from that. But, as many people on these boards will tell you, nothing stops any of us from having multiple conditions--"co-morbid" is the term.

Two good forums here to ask questions of--the Spinal Disorders forum and the Thoracic Outlet forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

[ali12]

Hey,
Welcome to Neurotalk, if you need anything just ask
Thanks

[AfterMyNap]

Hi, Cat! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

[gizmogirl]

I have learned that to convince doctors that I am looking for pain relief, not drugs to enjoy, I tell them that I do not WANT to be taking painkillers, but that I am disabled by pain. Vicodin is just a painkiller for occasional breakrhrough pain that a regular painkiller (an opiate) cannot handle. The long-time science writer for the New York Times wrote about how she had to convince her doctors to give her more than vicodin when she had her knee surgery. Search for this story on pain management by going to www.nytimes.com and searching on "Jane Brody pain management knee replacement". For more articles on how it will need 10 times more pain reliever indefinitely if you are not given more painkillers now, when it may still be possible to prevent this from becoming chronic pain, search on the same thing minus knee replacement. This is the only newspaper in the country I know of with expert journalists in following the latest treatment of chronic pain drugs.
Where is the "regrow cys(T?)" that is on your neck. Has anyone peformed tests to see what it might be pressing upon and if that could procuce pain? Have you kept a daily log of how bad the pain is, what tasks you had to skip, what events you could attend, but not enjoy? How much sleep did you get? What was the longest times you could sleep? Sometimes showing a few weeks of nice notes helps. I hope you have been clear to your doctors on how it began, when it began, how rapidly it got worse. Is it muscle spasms (cramps in muscles) or something similar?
As glennataj so acutely points out, having one prohlem does not rule out having 2. I am disabled becaue nobody knew after blowing off my pain, that it was so severe.
You have good patience. Use it to say to people you are really worried that you haven't effectively communicated your pain level. Use your patience to communicate to the doctors. My neice is in teh same shoes as you, she lives cheap, and has not sucessfully convined them that she wants relief more than drugs.

[Darlene]

Cat,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. You will find a great number of caring, supporting members here willing to help each other as they can.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

[lou_lou]

dear catherine -
do you take any medication for your Epilepsy?
you said you take vicodin what is your dosage? you also take ambien - how long have you been on all of these medications -dear catherine
- have you taken any motrin by chance or any other drug other than what you have been prescribed?

Vicodin is a very addictive drug... if you feel worse I would advise you to call 911 or go to your nearest ER with a relative or friend so they can explain your situation.


WARNINGS - VICODIN

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/hydrocod_od.htm

Respiratory Depression: At high doses or in sensitive patients, hydrocodone may produce dose-related respiratory depression by acting directly on the brain stem respiratory center. Hydrocodone also affects the center that controls respiratory rhythm, and may produce irregular and periodic breathing.

Head Injury and Increased Intracranial Pressure: The respiratory depressant effects of narcotics and their capacity to elevate cerebrospinal fluid pressure may be markedly exaggerated in the presence of head injury, other intracranial lesions or a preexisting increase in intracranial pressure. Furthermore, narcotics produce adverse reactions, which may obscure the clinical course of patients with head injuries.

Acute Abdominal Conditions: The administration of narcotics may obscure the diagnosis or clinical course of patients with acute abdominal conditions.

Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion of Opioids: VICODIN tablets contains hydrocodone, an opioid agonist, and is a Schedule III controlled substance. Opioid agonists have the potential for being abused and are sought by abusers and people with addiction disorders, and are subject to diversion.

VICODIN tablets can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing VICODIN tablets in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse or diversion (see DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE ).

peace to you,
sincerely,
tena

Originally Posted by Catherine95624

I recently face a chronic pain on my left forearm that I could not even lift it up and down normally as my right arm. I have showed up at the ER so many times, but those neurologists think the problem was my brain because my original illness was Epilepsy that's why they think seizures make my muscles pain. They took the LP, CAT scan and other tests on my brain but they all turn out negative. Finally, I ended up with those Vicodins from my family doctor. Until now, my left foream still ends up hurt with no reason and I could not sleep that I have to take Vicodins regularly with Ambiens, the sleeping aid.

I just took the MRI, but my neurosurgeon also said that it's a regrow cys on my neck and it's not serious enough for surgery. I don't understand what to do now, Please help me for I can't sleep with those pain. When I ask for the morphines, those docs say "no" because I am an addict. When I go to the Er asking for the morphines, those docs diagnose my neck not my arm and they say those neck tests were negative that I don't need morphines. When I am home, I am suffering with the pain and sleepless all night that I have to take those vicodins.

Anyone, have any idea what's wrong with my arm and why those docs thinking it has any relation with my neck. I mean at least when I am saying to them that my foream hurts and my brain test turn out negative, they could have asked another question that should my arm has any fracture right? Am I right? I am not a doc, I don't know. That's why I need help. Please, anyone advise.


Cat.

[Chlobert]

Originally Posted by Catherine95624

I recently face a chronic pain on my left forearm that I could not even lift it up and down normally as my right arm. I have showed up at the ER so many times, but those neurologists think the problem was my brain because my original illness was Epilepsy that's why they think seizures make my muscles pain. They took the LP, CAT scan and other tests on my brain but they all turn out negative. Finally, I ended up with those Vicodins from my family doctor. Until now, my left foream still ends up hurt with no reason and I could not sleep that I have to take Vicodins regularly with Ambiens, the sleeping aid.
I just took the MRI, but my neurosurgeon also said that it's a regrow cys on my neck and it's not serious enough for surgery. I don't understand what to do now, Please help me for I can't sleep with those pain. When I ask for the morphines, those docs say "no" because I am an addict. When I go to the Er asking for the morphines, those docs diagnose my neck not my arm and they say those neck tests were negative that I don't need morphines. When I am home, I am suffering with the pain and sleepless all night that I have to take those vicodins.

Anyone, have any idea what's wrong with my arm and why those docs thinking it has any relation with my neck. I mean at least when I am saying to them that my foream hurts and my brain test turn out negative, they could have asked another question that should my arm has any fracture right? Am I right? I am not a doc, I don't know. That's why I need help. Please, anyone advise.


Cat.

Hi Cat! I have been on this site in the past, but haven't been here for awhile. The people are fantastic supporters and it's a wonderful place to try to get other's opinions and just plain old support! Anyway, you are speaking about the horrible arm pain, and let me tell you, I would bet almost anything that it truly IS related to your neck. I have severe spinal stenosis and at least 4 of the 7 cervical discs (the ones in the neck) are trashed. One of the worst pains I have related to this is in my arms. The neck pain can be bad, the the arm pain seems to be the worst. I encourage you to get to either a pain management Dr or a neurosurgeon who will hopefully order an MRI on your neck. It seems to me that this might be the whole root of your problem. I am NOT a Dr, and I'm only speaking from my experiences. I would have never thought that neck problems could cause such horrible and unrelenting pain in my arms, but it sure does!!! Please try to see another Dr for this. There are many things they can try to relieve your pain, and maybe you won't even have to resort to narcotic medications. Best of luck to you, and please let us know how you are doing!!!! Take care!

[watsonsh]

Hi Catherine,

As a TOSer (thoracic outlet syndrome) I would say that your pain and symptoms sounds very familiar to me.

I see that glenn has already provided you with the link to the TOS forum. At the top of the forum there are stickes that contain articles and doc lists.

Plese dont hestiate to ask if you have any questions.