Trapped Nerve

[big george]

My wife has what the doctor calls a "trapped nerve". The doctor's remedy is for her to take  four painkilling tablets a day to allow her to get some relief and to be able to sleep. She has had this problem for three weeks now and is in almost constant pain. I feel very frustrated as I can do nothing to physically help her condition except of course help with the housework and make the odd cup of tea. Does anyone know if this "trapped nerve" will untrap itself in due course or will she have to learn to live with the pain for life? My other worry is that taking strong painkilling tablets over a long period could be harmful in itself. Advice on both these points would be welcome.

[joko]

i would suggest an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist. They will be able to manipulate and loosen her bones and may 'release' the trapped nerve

[woofgang]

whichever profession you choose, please do more than pull one out of yellow pages. "Trapped nerve" can be  a bit of a catch all diagnosis for acute onset back pain. If you trust the GP thn you might ask him (or her) for a suggestion, or ask around among your friends.

[Scarlett]

I was diagnosed with a "trapped nerve" which, months later, I insisted I had a scan, and it turned out I had 3 slipped discs. Does your wife have low back pain AND leg pain? She can get a TENS machine for help with pain, and ask her Doc for physiotherapy. Pain killers are a no-no. I took them for 2 years and ended up with an ulcerated colon. Also I went to a homeopath which completely removed the pain. I would also say to keep moving. If it is a back problem and not a nerve, she could have an epidural injection which often sorts out the pain too. Or Mega-pulse. There is a lot out there to try.

[Hamish]

If there is nerve dammage this can take a long time to heal. Taking some pain killers for years may produce a problem, but weeks should be OK. I asume it is paracoidamol or something such like, perhaps Brufen. I dammaged a nerve in my back some time back and it took 2 weeks to improve. where is the 'trapped nerve'? It is not a good idea to totally imobilise the area, but you sould be carful not to over work it too, both can make the situation worse. A trip to a physio might be a good idea (find a registerd one), they will take into account and should ask about the doctors comments/diagnosis.

[big george]

Thanks to you all for your suggestions and advice. My wife and I will consider them all carefully before deciding what the next step is to alleviate her condition.

[Sasha13]

As a matter of interest I went to an osteopath for a trapped nerve once. The trapped nerve was in my back (it was the sciatic nerve) but the pain was in my leg. It would be fine for ages - I could thump my leg and feel no pain, but if I stretched the skin on my thigh I was in agony - it felt like I'd been stuck in the leg with a large pin. Osteopath sorted it out in two minutes flat. My mum had the same problem, she had a trapped nerve in her shoulder - her pain was different, more constant and even breathing caused her to feel pain. Dr's said it was a pulled muscle. Osteopath again sorted immediately. My only advice would be, as woofgang mentions, to pick one carefully - try to get a referral from a friend rather than pick one out of the phone book. Good luck, hope your wife gets sorted soon.