BS: Trapped Nerve - help

Subject: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Bagpuss
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 11:51 AM

I have had a trapped nerve in my back for about 3 weeks. After 2 weeks of it, I saw my GP who gave me painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. I had to stop taking them after a few days as they made me feel sick constantly. The time I was on them did help and the pain has almost gone but it still twinges from time to time. Has anyone got any advice on how to banish it/stop it coming back? I start a new job in two weeks, and it would be just my luck for it to start playing up again just as I start work.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 11:59 AM

See a physiotherapist or chiropractor; they will address the physical causes of the problem, whereas most GPs just treat the symptoms with drugs and hope that the problem will magically go away if it stops hurting.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Bagpuss
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:08 PM

Malcolm - the doc said she would refer me to a physiotherapist if it wasnt better in 2 weeks (1 week from now). I was looking more for something I could do myself at home. I really don't want to have to take time off work for this once I start, as I already have to take time off for other health appointments.

Thanks for the advice though, much appreciated.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:25 PM

I dunno about "trapped;" if they gave you an anti-inflammatory, ice should help.

I used to take quite a bit if anti-flams till I started routinely icing. In my case it's a couple of tendons that swell under certain circumstances I can predict now, and so I ice before it hurts much, because when they swell they press on nerves that make it seem like huge areas are injured. Like a shoulder nerve felt all the way down the arm, but it's phantom pain-- the fingers are not injured, their nerves are just getting activated from up the line.

Icing removes this and restores movement that had been inhibited by the swelling. I still have to watch what I do after that, to avoid additional insult to the tendon, because the swelling and pain no longer warn me. But icing has allowed me to keep making music and then still get around the next day.

With icing, the chronic pain cycle no longer eats up the cortisol my tired adrenals make-- our natural anti-flams. This is important because those adrenals make things that run the whole system, keeping it in balance. When they get too worn out, or suppressed by taking cortisone, we can die of shock. They make the things that keep us from going into shock at the drop of a hat, in other words.

When the affected area is in my back or neck, I lie down on a soft couch with the hurt spot right on top of a re-usable gel pack in a fabric sleeve, bare-skinned. Sometimes I use a pillow to help the pack contour to press the affected area. A spouse is a big help in getting it placed right. And I always cover up first, because it cools me down all over!

If it is the thing you need, it will feel good for a few minutes, then very mixed up as the ice gets to the heat inside and the heat and cold argue back and forth (*G*), then just right. Then you will notice wanting to stretch the affected area. Do stretch carefully, ice still in place,and when the pack is no longer real cold, you are done.

If it is your upper back/neck area, you may get a slight headache from the cold or from the vessels recovering from the cold as more blood pours in, cold-shrunk vessels expanding again. It goes away very quickly unless you fret about it.

I did get a bad skin burn using an unlseeved pack two nights ago. It was the nerves crossing over the place where the collar bone attaches to the shoulder rig. I stuck an extra unsleeved pack under the bras strap to get it to press in snug, and now I have a four inch square freezer burn and abraded skin. So if you use a pack NOT protected by a self-fabric cover or a sleeve like a handi-wipe, look out.

While we were traveling it was so bad I could not drive, or sleep between drives, nerves jumping like crazy. Maddening. We took plastic garbage bags (and later switched to Ziploc), put about 1-3 quarts of ice in from our friendly motel (and later Kentucky Fried Chicken), popped the ice in a pillow case, and laid it over my shoulders like shoulder pads. If the cubes are big you need to add water to keep the pointy edges from hurting, and to spread the cold evenly. (You do that with a reusable ice pack too.)

Ice 1/2 hour at a time, with 1/2 hour or longer in between.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: smq
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:43 PM

I get back pain on occasion and muscle relaxants for a few days and an occasional vicodan help, but in between times, I sleep with a bolster under my knees. It keeps my back flatter on the bed and that helps me. In fact, I don't travel without my bolster!

Hope you feel better and that your pain disappears soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Bagpuss
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:43 PM

Ice! Thanks, I can do that!

It's actually in my lower back/right hip. I know the term "trapped nerve" is not accurate, but its the term everyone I know uses. I know that you are supposed to keep moving, so thats why painkillers are a good idea, they stop it being too painful to move.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:45 PM

Susan's got it. If it's really acute, you probably should see a Chiropractor. Get it back in place, then follow Whizzy's instructions. I do this all the time, neck, lower back, sciatic nerve, under shoulder blade, etc. Deep massage, such as shiatsu or accupressure helps too.

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:50 PM

We use a lot of misnomers at times. Trapped? Pinched? The words don't really mean anything. The problem could be any number of things including what is in reality disc material being compressed to one side or the other and applying pressure to a nerve. This problem can be as serious as a hernaited disc or a degenerated disc due to an arthritic condition. I fought the problem in my lower back for years and tried everything including acupunture. Eventually I had a laminectomy which fixed the problem....that was 15 years ago.

Don't know what to tell you right now ..... but you need to see an Orthopedist before you get involved in all the wacko remedies so you know exactly what the problem is.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 03:10 PM

Spaw, R U calling me wacko? *G* Sounds like it WAS diagnosed, if she was medicated for it.

smq, welcome to you and your bolster, to the Mudcat. I travel with a huge duffel full of JUST RIGHT pillows. Everyone says I am easier to deal with if I am "packing"! It's not the bed, it's the PILLOWS!

Next gathering, a workshop on picker's inflammation and remedies! (NO, Spaw, not THERE!) And an ice machine right near the PortaPotties! (In case it IS there!)

Pillows for sale, tuppence a bag.....

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 03:28 PM

Bagpuss, contact TIG, believe me she can work wonders for you, might mean a trip to the Jug, but mixing pleasure with business might help.

Cheers

Eric

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From:
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 07:57 PM

well here is some interesting advice. I have come across information on coconut..and apparently besides being antiviral and antibacterial, there are some antiinflammatory effects as well. I would try some coconut milk or some coconut macaroons or fresh coconut...or read up on coconut on the web...some fascinating stuff...they are researching it as a treatment for viral disease..such as AIDS, herpes, measles etc. It is said to break the envelope of the virus. Also, this was in the Sunday Oregonian..people's pharmacy I think..some people swear by coconut macaroon cookies if they have Crohn's disease and/or diarrhea. 2 cookies..Archway brand specifically was mentioned. A well-known nutritional biochemist, Dr. Mary Enig, is researching coconut products. Check out her research. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 08:08 PM

Macaroons, OK!

I thought coconut oil was bad for us?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Bert
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 11:44 PM

Watch your posture. Stand straight. Don't bend OVER to pick up things, bend at the knees. Carry a small cushion to put in the small of your back when sitting or driving. Cut back on your driving - do as little as possible and ALWAYS put that cushion in the small of your back. If you have to go on a long drive, get out and stretch your legs often and change the position of your seat now and then.

Bert.

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 11:54 PM

There are some gentle yoga nd tai chi movements which help when mine acts up, plus the pillow between the knees at night, to keep things in alignment.

I was on the regimen of muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories for over 15 years, off and on, when I finally got fed up, started gentle exercises, watched the posture etc. as Spaw said, and used topical treatments such as Arnica and Tiger Balm.

I would not recommend a chiro. An osteopath is an MD, plus knows manipulation, so it seems a lot safer and I prefer their type of manipulation, BUT a good massage therapist can do WONDERS over them all and a good chiro or osteo will send you for masage therapy, too.

Hope it is getting better.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: alison
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 02:04 AM

Bagpuss.. from your description it sounds like sciatica...

I would favour the massage therapist, or reflexologist approach....

here's a basic reflexology trigger point technique you can try at home...... use whatever foot corresponds to the side where the pain is

on the top of the foot just in front of your ankle bone (towards outside of your foot) there is a hollow... push gently in there (I say gently because it will be VERY tender)... move around in the hollow (use a thumb or finger) until you find the sorest spot... then apply pressure... IT WILL HURT!!... or get someone else to do it for you.......

hold the pressure for a few minutes (it may continue to hurt.. or even get worse)... eventually the pain in your foot will lessen, or you may start to feel a pulsing sensation.... ease off the pressure VERY gently.....

if it is sciatica.. I have used this technique very successfully on a few people.... remember you may feel worse before you feel better...

alternatively.. get the mice on the mouse organ to have a go... *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 03:55 AM

Ask a doctor what you should do around the house about back pain...

You wouldn't ask a doctor about folk music, would you?

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: GUEST,KitKat
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 05:25 AM

I've suffered with lower back pain for years and I am completely convinced that GP doctors know bugger all about it. See an osteopath or a chiropractor. When you feel better, take up Pilates, yoga or Alexander technique (all of which are good for backs). If you know anyone with a Backswing (a device for hanging upside down) ask if you can use it. Whatever you do, DO NOT continue to suffer as you will start compensating elsewhere in your back and you'll end up with far worde problems.

Pat

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Bagpuss
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 09:57 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have a feeling it isn't a chronic problem, just something that is easily set off again while it is healing. The reason I think this is that I had the same thing 10 years ago which disappeared after 2 weeks and have had no problem with it inbetween.

I think it was set off because I have gone very suddenly from a period of almost no activity and bad posture (due to depression) to being more active and also put on a lot of weight in a very short space of time for the same reason. This, combined with a long car journey (in a mini!) to and from scotland set my back off.

I've been doing some gentle stretching exercises I remember from my gymnastics days and taking my mother's advice of hanging from a door frame and it seems to be doing the trick - my movement is increasing and I no longer get pain when I am sitting. I've got the ice, coconut and chiropracter's phone number at hand just in case though.

And at least I've discovered one drug that my body really doesn't like (or maybe interacts with anti depressants) on the way.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 10:11 AM

I can talk to MY doctor about folksongs, he's a phoakie.

But the thing is this, as I understand these things (I've had 2 laminectomies, Spaw!) - The old idea of rest and drug is apparently very bad for you. Drugs keep you from knowing when you ought NOT to move... but you do want to keep moving. Two details: don't rock-stretch (stretch-unstretch-stretch-unstretch): get into the stretch and hold it for a count of 10-15, while you keep breathing gently and move slowly farther and farther into the stretch. If it starts to hurt (in contrast to being able to feel the pull), relax on the stretch but keep it where you can for the full count. Let it out slowly, unstretching over a count of about 3-5. Breathe, repeat twice (more, for a total of 3). Do stretches on one side then the other, then back, then the other, rather than trying to stretch both sides at the same time. Another trick with low back stuff that radiates down the leg is to do everything with your BUTT clenched, so as to pull DOWN on the base of the spine with your own muscles. That will relieve pressure on any compressed areas without having to have your head lifted for you. Do that as you steady your abdominal muscles so that anything you do with your back, you're really doing with your butt and stomach. You'll need to get in the habit of doing that automatically. And with HMOs and all, my doc has to try drugs first even though he's going to send me to PT when (not if) they don't work, so I just take the Rx, don't fill it, and then tell him they didn't work, then I get into PT where you really need to be. You want to avoid taking pain killers that will allow you to move in ways that worsen the compression. And if the problem is (as is mine) that your musculature isn't holding your bones where they ought to be, then muscle relaxants can really be very bad for you. They are very bad for me, as they counter all my efforts to use my butt to control my lower back. But I *like* codeine... I just don't use it therapeutically!

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Bagpuss
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 10:17 AM

PS to Alison - there is nowhere on my foot that is tender even the places that you describe. But I'm not a total disbeliever in reflexology, as it helped to diagnose my mam's Addison's disease.

Bagpuss (the mice keep telling me they will fix it, but Professor Yaffle is sceptical. Maybe the products of the mouse mill will help....)

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Les from Hull
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 11:06 AM

'Puss

My partner, Maggie, is a qualified reflexologist and masseuse, and has been suffering from a similar sciatica problem for a little time now. Of course, Maggie has access to more healing methods than most of us, either her own or other local therapists. She has a good knowledge of tai chi and yoga as well.

Although she had been able to reduce the pain, she was not able to remove it. Five visits to a chiropractor wwere not much use either. She has now visited another local therapist who deals mainly with manipulation. He found that there was a slight disc wear problem and some manipulation and massage have hopefully corrected it in one visit.

Now I appreciate that there are very many different problems relating to backs, and that you need specialist advice as to what the particlar problem is with yours. I just mention all this because it may possibly help in your case.

There's excellent advice been given in this thread, all of which will be of help to you.All I can add to it is ask around for the osteopath/chiropractor/manipulator in your locality with the best reputation. There's certainly a good one in Hull if you need him.

Les

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Les from Hull
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 11:32 AM

If you see us at Robin Hood's Bay, I'm sure that Maggie will be happy to swap notes with you.

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: Tig
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 11:54 AM

Have you tried a wheat bag? You can make your own with a couple of pounds of pearl barley from your local weigh and save and about an ounce of dried lavendar flowers to stop it smelling like porridge! Sew it into a material bag and then heat it for about 3 or 4 minutes in a microwave (about 25 in a cool oven). It will give you gentle heat onto the spot which really can ease out the muscles and take away some of the pain.

I would also recommend talking to Maggie at the weekend or coming over to the Jug to see me. You can PM me if you are likely to be over. I'll see if the Magician is likely to be at Robin Hoods Bay but I doubt it.

Subject: RE: BS: Trapped Nerve - help
From: mousethief
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 12:05 PM

In addition to "adjusting", my chiropractor gave me lots of exercises to do to strengthen the muscles supporting my spine, and "massage" my squished disks to get more blood flow to them (disks in general don't have arteries supplying them, he said; they get blood by osmosis from the surrounding bone). I don't do them as much as I should, but when I do, my back feels better and my pinched nerve is less likely to cause trouble. I suggest you find a good chiropractor (I don't know how to do that; I've had two bad ones and one good one so far) who will give you some exercises (if that's appropriate in your case).

Alex