trapped nerve in left shoulder blade

[-kaffryn-]

hii, ive had a trapped nerve in my shoulder blade for over a year now, ive been to the doctors twice, first time the gave me an iprobrufen gel, it didnt work, second time they gave me amitripyline to take, these tablets make me so sleepy and dont really work either. was just wondering if anybody has had the same problem and what i shud do? thanks in advancee :)

[campbellking]

Ask your G.P. to refer you for physiotherapy, so you can be shown some stretches and exercises to improve what has become a chronic problem.

[carlton23]

If you are not overweight try hanging with your arms from a door frame(not your neck) for as long as you can.

[Lil O'lady]

Sympathy, mine's letting me know this morning.
I use paramol (or Boots own equivalent) which is a combination of paracetamol and dihydrocodeine - the latter is a highly addictive painkiller when taken 'neat' and also constipates you something wicked. However in the paramol form it's only a small amount. It takes the edge off nicely, can make me a little sleepy if I'm sleepy anyway, but does not have anything like the incapacitating effects of the full-on prescription painkillers.
You also need something to take down the inflammation around the nerve channel. I have Voltarol tablets that I take as seldom as possible (prescription). They are truly vile but will bring down the inflammation and give you a break from the pain. Voltarol and Ibuprofen gel are available without prescription - I'm less convinced of their effectiveness but might be worth a try. Also use ice-packs - some frozen peas in a sandwich bag, wrapped in a teatowel so you don't give yourself frostbite and applied to the pain. You can keep re-freezing and using as needed, only don't then go and serve them for dinner by accident as Mr O'lady did.
These strategies do not cure the condition, although they give you a calm time with less pain so you tense up less and healing can start, but as campellking says you need some form of physio to deal with rehabilitating the shoulder and not harmng it again.

[BagPussAA]

If you want to avoid painkillers, which can become addictive and can make the problems worse in the long run, you could get a TENS machine. It is every effective and can be used whenever you need it without side effects. I got one for Mr Bagpuss as he also has a trapped nerve in his shoulder and it has made life so much better for him. They only cost about �30 and I find that it is the best pain reliever on the market.

[-kaffryn-]

thanks so much, u all have helped really well :D