Anybody ever have a pinched nerve?

**road trip** · 11-11-2003, 12:26 PM

Does this sound like one to you?

My symptoms:
- point source pain at a spot in between the two vertebral bumps on the vertebrae at the base of my neck
- limited range of motion resulting from sharp pains after moving too much in the wrong direction
- pain radiating to shoulder and further down my back

Tweaked my neck at the gym a little while ago and now I am feeling it...

...swallowing is even uncomfortable right now...

**lph** · 11-11-2003, 12:35 PM

NO.

Sounds more like a soft tissue injury, ie muscle, ligament, tendon. basically a sprain.

treat it as such. if it doesn't get better in 1-2 weeks or if it radiates down your arm or to your fingers, then it might be a pinched nerve. the fact that it goes to your shoulder can happen with a pinched nerve, but more commonly is from a sprain, as there are a couple muscles which go from your neck to your shoulder (please see Tom Wopat

).

**INDY GS** · 11-11-2003, 12:56 PM

I had something similar. The doc prescribed naproxin - 500mg twice daily. for as long as I had the pain. I have been off of the naproxin for a while and no pain. But see your doc to be sure.

**altagirl** · 11-11-2003, 01:03 PM

I've had that happen a few times - usually mountain or dirt bike wrecks. Usually goes away in a day or two. If it doesn't I'd definitely have it checked out.

**Dantheman** · 11-11-2003, 01:10 PM

At this point I wouldn't go see a doc. Short of doing an MRI there's nothing they can do to diagnose you. I had a pretty badly pinced nerve playing football in high school (burning needles of fire shooting from my neck to my fingertips) and all the doc told me was to not play for a few games and take anti-inflammatories. Also, like lph said, your's doesn't sound like a pinched nerve since the pain isn't radiating to an extremity. Sounds more like a strain or spasm.

So, yeah, just take it easy for a week or two, take ibu on a schedule throughout the day, and if it doesn't get better then go to the doc.

**chopper1** · 11-11-2003, 01:30 PM

I have had this happen several times in my lower back and a trip to the chiropractor always works wonders for me. If you see a good one they will usually recommend some exercises to prevent this from happening in the future.

**FreakofSnow** · 11-11-2003, 01:34 PM

I have been known to pinch a mean loaf as well as pinch a fatty. Just my 02.

**Superstar Punani** · 11-11-2003, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by road trip

...swallowing is even uncomfortable right now...

Why don't you spit then?

Seriously, WebMD has some good shit on
pinched nerves

**road trip** · 11-11-2003, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by Punani
Why don't you spit then?

Dammit, I always try to measure my words so carefully...

Thanks all... yeah, being male basically means I wouldn't go to the doc the first day for any ailment, let alone this one! Waiting for the Alleve to kick in... Wish they sold Vioxx in the company store, but sadly you need an Rx for it.

So it's looking like no hockey game for me tonight and some ice...

..assuming my furnace is fixed if not.. heat.

Again.. thanks!

**lph** · 11-11-2003, 01:50 PM

Jesus, don't go to a doctor for a strain.

Seriously, there is a kneejerk response on this board to say "Go see your doc right away" most times it is not warranted, people are just triing to be safe.

**road trip** · 11-11-2003, 01:51 PM

From web MD:

Call your doctor if:

- You note a change in your bowel and/or bladder function.

Yeah, if this happens from a neck injury, I think the last thing I'm gonna do is call my doctor!

**powpowpowderwheels** · 11-11-2003, 02:40 PM

The EXACT same thing happens to me at least once a season during wrestling. The neck is fine if you look straight ahead, but if you move it one direction it hurts like a bitch, the other direction is fine. Makes driving tough.

Usually, i just lay low for a few days, and it goes away completely in about a week. Honestly, after a few days, moving your head in the direction that it hurts and holding it there for a little while stretches the muscles out and alliviates future pain.

The shit sucks, but doctors/ Rx pain relief not really needed. (although who doesn't want Rx pain relief.)

speling

**house** · 11-11-2003, 02:46 PM

same kinda thing happened to my neck when doing squats a couple years ago. no pain looking forward or to one side, but the other direction was hell. just took some time to loosen up, i dont think it was a nerve, mostly cause of the pop sound i heard when it happened. all is well now, best medicine=time