Severed Ulnar Nerve

Hello all -

Long story short, I severed my Ulnar nerve at my elbow on April 22nd of this year. I had surgery on May 2nd to repair it. My pain has fluctuated since the day of the accident. When I initially severed it, my ring and pinky fingers immediately went numb and the constant tingling feeling in my fingers was enough to drive me crazy, however now I would give anything to just be concerned about that. Since the surgery, the tingling is still present, but it is now accompanied by a constant burning sensation in my fingers, which is at times, nauseating. It can almost make me feel sick, but more than anything, it is so uncomfortable. I have discussed all of this with my doctor and he says this is perfectly normal until that nerve regrows back down to my fingers, which could take up to a year. He has prescribed me Gabapentin and when that didn't work, we moved on to Lyrica. I've been taking that for over a month now and I notice no difference between the two drugs except the co-pay. I've heard and read so many rave reviews of Lyrica so quite frankly, I am shocked that I feel so little relief. My question is what should I be expecting out of these drugs exactly? Am I expecting too much? What else is there that I could be taking? What is the next step on this ladder to pain relief? I am not physically comfortable and I am going to lose my mind if I have to go on like this for 10 more months. I'm sure everyone says this, but I am not a baby. I have a high tolerance for pain, but this nerve thing has completely knocked the wind out of me. Any input, advice, etc is much appreciated. Thanks so much! :)

Post Edited (Taylor Mingle) : 7/9/2012 12:05:37 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Taylor,
Welcome to the CP Forum.
Ouch on the ulnar nerve. I have low back problems and take Gabapentin to calm the damaged nerve endings and neuropathy in my feet. I wasn't getting a lot of benefit until my Dr. increased my dose to 600mg 3X day and that has helped some combined with the other meds I'm taking. I am considering getting the Dr. to increase the dose on my next visit to see if it helps more. Many others I know have higher and some lower doses that work for them. I honestly hate meds and taking anything stronger than an aspirin but know I will be on them for years to come because of nerve damage in my back. What dose Gabapentin did he give you? and how long were you on it? I was on Lyrica once and it didn't work as well as the Gabapentin for me. We are all different and the same meds do not always work the same for different people. So, it really is a one of those things you have to keep trying until you find a med that will work for you. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum and I'm sure they will be jumping in to say hello before the day is out.

I have a Sis-in-law that had surgery on her Ulnar nerve and know from her experience it can be long, drawn out, and painful. Best of luck to you.

Become an active part of the group and you will find much info and support from the others here.

God Bless,
Dale

Hi Taylor and welcome to the forum. It really sounds like you are having a difficult time. Nerve pain is a completely different animal to deal with. To compound that problem is the usual pain medications have little affect on nerve pain. Darn Me gave some very good info about the nerve meds used widely. It may well be you were not on the proper dose, wouldn't that be something. Its something to consider.

I have ulnar nerve entrapment in both elbows from an old accident. I would not have surgery because back then it was not one of the best surgeries going with good results. As it has turned out now the nerve damage is permanent and nothing can be done.

In your situation hopefully as more time goes by for healing and such I hope they can find something that will help you.Take care....Susie

I hope the shot helps calm things for you.

Hi there Royceno,

Welcome to HW...Just FYI but this particular thread is quite old as well as it looks like Taylor only posted once and hasn't returned.

We would love to get to know you more and this can be done by posting your own thread by using the button Post New Topic. This way, more people will read your post (you can cut/paste this one above) and maybe have some thoughts/suggestions for you.

We hope you stick around!

Hello all. I was recently reading about a basketball player who injured their Ulnar nerve and Found this Forum when looking for more information. I could relate because I have suffered from the same injury. I severed my ulnar nerve back in 2005 and have since had 12 surgeries to help alleviate problems from my elbow to the tips of my fingers. I still suffer quite a bit of pain and have no strength in my right arm or hand. In my case, the nerve never regenerated. I recently restarted Lyrica which works better for me than Gabapentin but neither has had the desired affect I hoped for in reducing the nerve pain.

I would like to hear from anyone that might have tried new surgeries or meds that have helped them.

Welcome new members. I hope you will all start your own new threads so we can reply to each of you.

At the insistence of my pain doc, I am re-trying Lyrica for my central cord syndrome (stabbing, burning pain everywhere below top of shoulders from pinched, damaged spinal cord at C3). I tried it before but gave up after a few weeks. He says some of his patients have to get up to 200mg before it starts to work.