Nerve pain in hand and arm

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About 8 weeks ago had bad fall which has damaged nerves in arm & hand which is extremely sensitive to touch and quite immobile although physio advises and pushes me weekly. Currently having to  wear compression glove for swelling which seems to squash the nerves and constantly burning and tingling. Add to this the pain from the replaced dislocated shoulder I'm going off my head. Medications are Zapain, now 4 per day and Gabapentan, 600g a day.Feeling quite panicky sometimes suicidal despite everyone saying it'll get better. Has anyone else experience of this please & any advice.

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi lorraine70831

    We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologise for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

    If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

    Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.

    If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

    Kindest regards

    Patient

    • Posted

      Great pick up and fantastic that you are able to react to this. Good job. 

      I would go back to your doctor and either go off the gabapentin or reduce it to a point where you are no longer having these thoughts. Unfortunately the side effects of some of these drugs can be suicidal thoughts. I’d definitely be changing it. 

      I go onto that drug soon after being on lyrica all year, it helped me but not enough, higher doses made me very dizzy and tired and the compromise dose didn’t do a lot for my nerve pain. 

      Good luck with it all. 

  • Posted

    Dear Lorraine70831, 

    I would contact your doctor and express to them how you are feeling ASAP. Gabapentin does have side effects that include mood or behavior changes, depression, or anxiety. Everyone responds to pain and medications differently. Perhaps they can change something to make you feel better. I know I have taken medications before that gave me side effects like that and once I stopped taking them I felt better. Perhaps see if there is a pain management clinic around you to help you cope with the pain in alternative methods. Stay strong and keep trying.  

  • Posted

    Thanks to everyone who replied- I felt really supported. Following on, had a very positive session with physio and following GP appt was prescribed Oramorph, a morphine based syrup. Last night I felt really relaxed, not totally pain free but manageable and a really good night's sleep. Also waiting for appt at Pain Relief Clinic. Hopefully will be able to give more progress reports. 

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