Give me your best remedies!

[YourMajesty]

I'm so prone to getting a "crick" or pinched nerve in my neck. I'm sitting here in bed with the heating pad. If they are bad enough I have pain and nausea. I have darvocet but it's not touching it. So who gets these and how do you relieve them? Maybe I should try ice instead? At least I'm getting out out of shopping with this and the cold I'm working on.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Ooohh. I had one of these myself over the fourth of July weekend. Had no idea what was the problem. Went to the ER and they gave drugs, but inaccurate diagnosis (pancreatitis! ) Go to Walgreen's and get a bed buddy. They look a bit like a tube sock stuffed with alfalfa seeds or something. Anyway, you can either heat it in the microwave or chill it. I usually do heat. I have never had darvocet but was given vicodin and ultram which did not erase the pain, only made it tolerable. I try to remember to take a preventative dose of tylenol if I think it is going to get painful.

Sorry you are going through this.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Ice always works better for me in the beginning. 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. After the first couple of days, I alternate ice and heat. When I herniated a disc earlier this year, I ended up investing in a TENS unit. It was the best purchase I've ever made. You attach electrodes to the affected area and this unit sends an electrical pulse to your muscles. It does a great job of calming everything down. My chiropractor uses the high-powered ones for physical therapy, but I think this unit is just as effective. Hope you feel better soon. Neck and back pain sucks!

 

[mudnuri]

chiropractor

nuff said!

Brandy

 

[YourMajesty]

Ooohh. I had one of these myself over the fourth of July weekend. Had no idea what was the problem. Went to the ER and they gave drugs, but inaccurate diagnosis (pancreatitis! ) Go to Walgreen's and get a bed buddy. They look a bit like a tube sock stuffed with alfalfa seeds or something. Anyway, you can either heat it in the microwave or chill it. I usually do heat. I have never had darvocet but was given vicodin and ultram which did not erase the pain, only made it tolerable. I try to remember to take a preventative dose of tylenol if I think it is going to get painful.

Sorry you are going through this.

Oh my...you gotta love the ER...yikes! You just reminded me I have a few ultram but I think they made me very nausiated (my mind is going too). The bed buddy sounds good. Thanks for the tips...it's misery.

 

[YourMajesty]

Ice always works better for me in the beginning. 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. After the first couple of days, I alternate ice and heat. When I herniated a disc earlier this year, I ended up investing in a TENS unit. It was the best purchase I've ever made. You attach electrodes to the affected area and this unit sends an electrical pulse to your muscles. It does a great job of calming everything down. My chiropractor uses the high-powered ones for physical therapy, but I think this unit is just as effective. Hope you feel better soon. Neck and back pain sucks!

My mom was jsut saying we need to figure out a way to get you relaxed...the TENS unit sounds interesting. I think I may know what you are talking about from some PT I had on my ankle. They attached the electrode pads around my ankle and turned it up to my comfort level. This sounds expensive but these neck "cricks" usually last at least a week with the first few days being horrible (can't turn my neck to the left). Thanks...BTW I have my masters from OSU and I think I might have had one of those rattlesnacks a time or two.

 

[Virgo10]

I have disk disease with arthritis and bone spurs in my neck. When it happens (think ice pick in the shoulder blade area) I use ice. 20 minutes on and an hour off.

If you haven't got one, try a cervical pillow. It will give your neck extra support. I also agree with the chiropractor recommendation.

Good luck!

ETA: I just read about the TENS unit suggestion on this thread. They are very effective but be sure never to put the leads near your head if you get one. This article says you shouldn't put it near your head or NECK but only if you have problems with your blood, blood vessels or have seizures. I'm sure I was told not to put it on my head no matter what. That wasn't an issue anyway because the TENS unit I had was for my lower back.
Here's the article:
TENS unit

 

[crz4mm2]

chiropractor

nuff said!

Brandy

my chiro!!! Best thing I ever did for myself (and my stiff neck and back and shoulders!!!).
I totally agree Brandy!

 

[YourMajesty]

my chiro!!! Best thing I ever did for myself (and my stiff neck and back and shoulders!!!).
I totally agree Brandy!

I wish I had a chrio. maybe that is something I should check into. We have an urgent care....I'm supposed to be at a dinner party in one hour. I don't think that is going to happen. I'm going to check out the TENS article. I think I would get a lot of relief just by placing them closer to the trapezius muscle not on the neck. I have hard knots there from lactic acid build up (or at least that's what I've been told). It might be why I get these cricks...but also a an orthopedic pillow is a good idea. You guys are so helpful!

 

[Molly Meow]

I get these. I take an old tube sock and fill it with rice and nuke it - instant portable heating pad.

I also take Lorcet 10/650 - but I can't do anything after taking that. It erases the pain - but it also erases cognitive thought.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[jenwolgey]

I also recommend a chiro or an osteopath. Last time I had one in my neck, my DO "cracked" it, and the pain was gone INSTANTLY. For now, try some drugs. I would skip the evening out, though. You can't possibly enjoy yourself with pain like that. Hope you feel better soon. Have you tried alternating ice and heat?

 

[luvmy2sams]

My mom was jsut saying we need to figure out a way to get you relaxed...the TENS unit sounds interesting. I think I may know what you are talking about from some PT I had on my ankle. They attached the electrode pads around my ankle and turned it up to my comfort level. This sounds expensive but these neck "cricks" usually last at least a week with the first few days being horrible (can't turn my neck to the left). Thanks...BTW I have my masters from OSU and I think I might have had one of those rattlesnacks a time or two.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. The only differene is that my unit isn't industrial strength. You really can't tell the difference, though.Here's a link to the TENS unit I have...
http://www.healiohealth.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jnommnf0
It is a little expensive, but I absolutely swear by it. I wore this one constantly for about 5 months until I finally got a doctor who would give me an MRI and sign off on surgery.

As for those rattlesnakes...I didn't even realize you were from Oklahoma when I posted this. Tumbleweed memories...need I say more?

I hope you're feeling better soon. I know all too well how horribly you must be feeling right now.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

What about having a deep tissue massage after being on heat for a while?

I have a spot near my shoulder blade that was horrible. It wasn't until a massage therapist used deep pressure with her elbow on it that it got better...the relief has been pretty much permanent.

Don't forget to take Motrin or something like that.

 

[YourMajesty]

What about having a deep tissue massage after being on heat for a while?

I have a spot near my shoulder blade that was horrible. It wasn't until a massage therapist used deep pressure with her elbow on it that it got better...the relief has been pretty much permanent.

Don't forget to take Motrin or something like that.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I had been reading messages for a couple hours(in bed) when I'm like duh...ask for some advice! Of course the DIS boards never let me down. I think the ice helped...maybe there is some swelling. I'm very interested in the TENS unit and I did call for a massage but I can't get in until Monday. Hopefully I'll be feeling better but I need to get those "crunchy" knots out. I think my insurance covers some chiro visits per year....I'll have to check.

I wish I had some of those lorcet...the darvocet is not very strong. I had something much stronger after my ankle surgery but the refill was the darvocet so that's all I've got. Motrin actually did take a tiny edge off of it when I took 600mg. It's such a drag.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I'm going through the same thing right now, herniated disk in my neck, with a pinched nerve. I just started therapy this week, I just hope the relaxers and pain meds hold out! My regular doc seems to want to keep me on a short leash for the meds. I may have to call the ortho and talk to him instead if the pain keeps up. I had the same problem in my lower back in '88 and I know I was on the stuff for 2-3 months.
Do try the ice as well.
Kim