I have been feeling miserable...I have been off work two weeks now and waiting for surgery...of course with that comes all the paperwork to actually get some $$ while I am off which is stressing me a lot...I havent gotten a surgery date yet and my doc is less then helpful with pain meds (let alone trying to get an appt - I would have to wait over a MONTH to get in, and this is my GP we are talking about)...

Please please...if anyone has any ideas for helping with these flares it would be appreciated. I am taking Flexeril at night - some nights I can actually sleep...others I am restlesss, find the only place comfortable to be the couch...I look and feel like crap. I know it is only a matter of time now till surgery and I already have post surgery PT booked with the best PT I know (it's a two month wait to get in to him!)...I just feel worn out...but I always survive!

So, if you have any secrets, things that make you comfortable, etc please share. My MT says that she can actually manipulate my arm now which she could never do before (I am also sure she mentioned RSD which I am trying to do more research on...again if you have any info you can share please let me know)...

Thanx!

Jamy - not sure how much these will help, but:
BioFreeze
Aspirin
Stretches (see Jo's helpful links sticky)
Mind techniques like those mentioned in "Managing your Pain before it manages you"
- On a somewhat related note, my wife and I did the Bradley Method of natural childbirth. One of the MAJOR points it stresses is relaxation techniques. It stresses these to the point of practicing them every night for 3-4 months. Breathing techniques (diaphragmatic breathing as opposed to shallow "chest breathing") really helped, and seemed to be the base of it. Also, focused relaxation - focusing your mind on SOMEthing ( a color, a beach, a tree, whatever,) helped. Come to think of it, I should probably try to use some of these!
- finally, are you able to see or contact a Pain Management Doctor? just a thought.....
I hope you find something here useful and feel better!
-Dabbo

I can second dabbos comment on Bio Freeze. You can purchase it on e-bay http://search.ebay.com/biofreeze_W0Q...tsearchZSearch And on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw...o.x=12&Go.y=14 also Icy Hot patches can help sometimes you can purchase those in the local drug store.
Try to put some hot packs on your flared areas... Just be cautious not too burn your self. You can purchase some really nice reusable hot packs in the drug store or place some rice in a sock and tie it off. Then heat it in a microwave just be cautious as it can heat quickly and become very hot... So check it and use it as it is comfortable.
If you can research for a pain management doctor that would be a good start especially if there has been a mention of RSD as you will need special considerations prior to surgery such as a block etc to help keep the RSD from spreading...
Best of luck...
Many Hugs
Dawn

Thermacare heating pada, Ambien CR or to sleep, Xanax to quiet your anxiety, regular heating pads, changing positions as frequently as possible, watching funny movies, voice activation software, calling friends, ultram for pain.

I have hope this helps. I have definitely been through major flareups that have lasted months and it has been very difficult to get through. I am also in the midst of scheduling surgery and cannot wait to take that proactive action. Please feel free to get in touch with me at any time.

some things that may help
put the affected arm in a sling
fit tape from the top (point) of the affected shoulder pulling the shoulder back and slightly down. the tape should run at 45 degrees towards your spine
use a hot wheat bag (4 or 5 cups of wheat in a material bag and then heated in a microwave oven for about 2 mins) on the the muscle spasms or on your chest near your armpit.
tape a suitably soft pad (elongated that will run along your upper spine probably 2 inches in diameter) that will either stop you sleeping on your back or take pressure from the shoulder blade when you are sleeping.
gentle stretches of your head and neck at 45 degrees away from the affected shoulder blade eg move your head forward and to the left if the problem is on the right but never take your head back and towards the affected side.
a vibrating massager whilst you are laying on your front, on the muscles which run up and down either side of your spine.
dry needling (similar to accupunture) which can only be done by a professional
chiropractic corrections. good luck

JAMY, sorry you're in so much pain. A few things that help me sometimes:
-- avoiding aggravating positions and movements, obviously!
-- letting a warm shower run over tight muscles
-- sleeping in a recliner
-- keeping arms supported on pillows on lap
-- gentle stretches, as mentioned earlier...laying on my back for a few minutes with a small pillow between shoulder blades sometimes helps open up the area and reduces pain for me...but I can't stay in this position long, and sometimes it doesn't help.
-- keeping pressure off the shoulder blades, as mentioned (no hard-back chairs, or a pillow behind your back).
-- try to avoid long car rides, if possible
-- distraction, as mentioned, with a movie, music, reading or books on tape...my library has a program where you can check out e-books and listen to them on your computer. This way I don't even have to go to the library to get a book.

Hope things improve for you soon!

i did some searches and here's some of our threads on PT and other self therapies-

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...=Sharon+butler
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...=Sharon+butler
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...=Sharon+butler

botox & injection thread-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=therapy

muscle spasms thread-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=therapy

You guys have some great information on here! I just wish I could sit long enough to read it all. Grrrrr.....

I sure have flare ups and it's a real pain in the neck. I haven't found much relief from anything out there. I found that keeping constant levels of ibuprofen in my system helps. The minute it wears off I'm in trouble! I was taking 600 mg but now down to 400 mg. My stomach couldn't handle the 600 on a regular basis. I have also bought a heat gel pad thingy at Rite Aid which seems to work. I put it in themicrowave and then put it where it hurts. It does seem to help but even then it doesn't totally help. The Dr said nothing is really gonna help other than time. I have such a severe case of TOS. One thing I do like is a HOT SHOWER! Hot water on the tightmuscles feel great. I just get yelled at for taking too long of showers now.

Basically I find that when I have a severe flare up...I run for a hot shower, then heat and crawl under a blanket and cry Not that any of that really helps but ...well...I just have to keep saying "go with what the Dr says" and hopefully I'll be my old self in no time.

Good luck to you

I have been off work two weeks now and waiting for surgery.

ok girl.....no ultram here in Canada...tramacet with tylenol in it or long acting which is what I am on.....zytram xl in doses of 150, 200, 300 and 400 max 400 a day.....I take 400 of course.....one for 24hrs...is the advantage.....ok need amitriptyline....helps with nerve pain and anxiety is an antianxiety med that just happens to help nerve pain need to take it for a while......why only flexaril at night......could try muscle relaxant baclofen 10mg tid works well.......could try sauna or hot tub every day to loosen muscles up
NO PAPERWORK......
you damn well better have applied for ei with your note off work it gets you paid within weeks if you go to the office on the mtn in ham near the east sides on upper james.....zellers plaza....close to the mcd's up towards the airport.....
APPLY NOW GIRL AND YOU WILL GET PAID
you can call me PM with number therefor no pay!!!!

love and gentle hugs,
Victoria

I have a small miracle ball (bigger than a softball, not sure about diameter....prob about 5 inches) that I got from Amazon.com. I sit in a high back chair with the ball right on my spine so it pleasantly stretches the whole area.

Ice is my friend. I ususally have an ice pack on (6-20 hours a day) just to numb everything so I can't feel it as much. I like the liquid gel ones.

If your doc is not willing to prescribe pain meds (grrr...sending bad karma his way), would he at least be willing to prescribe a tens unit ? It really does help A LOT !