United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Kissy
The only med I ever took was Vioxx. It was a wonder drug for me. After three days I had side effects and swelled up.
I did not know how much pain I was dealing with until I took this drug.
I was amazed and finally realized everyone did not have all the aches and pains we have.
I guess because I was always in pain I did not know the difference.
I hated going off it and it actually took me weeks to adjust to the pain again.
I admit I am more aware of the pain since that time.
I hope you find something soon.
I have a problem with drug sensitivity, every time I take something for a short time I react with some of the rare symptoms... so I don't take anything... ugh.

Kath (adult/robpi)

I recently have begun using ice on my painful BPI shoulder at the end of every day and I love it. It never would have dawned on me that something so simple could be so affective until my PT suggested it. It helps to numb the pain and it reduces muscle inflamation and its CHEAP! Also she gave me the idea of doing my own self massage with a tennis ball. I sit or stand up against a wall and roll the ball around my shoulder until I find a sore spot and then press into it with the ball. Again, I love this too, it really makes my shoulder feel pretty good. Its amazing how I was looking for some medical procedure to make me fell better when the most affective pain relief I gotten yet I can do to myself.
Becky

Ask your doctor about Lyrica (pregabalin). It does what Neurontin does at a lower dose and for many people works better than Neurontin.
marieke

Becky,
Thanks a Million for your "ICE TIP"!!! It works good for my shoulder tightness & pain.

Christina, I hope you get relief soon!

HUGS all around!,
Carolyn J

I am amazed that anyone could use ice on their arm or shoulder.
When the PT tried to use ice on my shoulder I was in agony!
I knew that side of my body is always cold from head to toe but did not expect the horrible pain I experienced from using ice.

I use Mineral Ice on my arm, neck and shoulder when I am in pain and need a distraction.
The Mineral Ice seems to warm up in a way that makes me feel comfortable.

Kath (robpi/adult)

Kath,
fortunately I do not have much hypersensitivity in my ROBPI side save for a little bit in my bicep. Even then I can still put ice or heat on that region. I guess I forget sometimes how differently we are all affected by this injury.
Becky

Becky
I can't really feel heat very well.
It's amazing how different the same injury affects us.
I have feeling in some spots on my arm/hand and none in other places.
Cold just sends me up the wall even when I type my arm and hand are freezing.

Kath ( adult/robpi)

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think ice is a good idea for me because like Kath I'm hypersensitive on that side and ice hurts me. I'll have to try the ball though.

I called my neurologist and they are upping my meds to the max dose in hopes that it will help. I don't know what else to do. So we'll see what happens.

If the max dose doesn't work for long ask about Lyrica.
Let us know what happens.
Marieke

Actually my pcp has mentioned it and when I see him next I'm going to tell him what's going on. He doesn't like my neurologist and I have a feeling that with this latest development he's going to be trying to either find me a new one or take over my pain management. If he does he'll most likely put me on it. I'm just so tired of every 3 months needing more meds because it's just like they stop working.