I tried straight/bent, rest/use, hot/cold..didn't find anything that seemed to make much difference. The only thing that seemed fairly consistent for relief was a neuralgia pill.

Did you check in with a neurologist, gnu?

I am fairly tough about pain, but the weakness and wasting freak me out (plus, I hate watching my hand lose guitar skill)
Next week, I have an appt with a neurosurgeon and I hope he is willing to slip my nerve back in the groove.