HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Fibro and pinched nerve! Gabapentin & Acupuncture

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/14/2012 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
So,

I finally got my dr. to order MRI!  It showed a herniated disk causing a pinched nerve in my neck.  Dr. insisted it was my Fibro, but I was so insistent that this was a different pain and only when I would lie on my sides, would my arm/hand go numb, or lean on my left side! Over a year with this!   I waited so long because I felt, well that just be my fibo acting up!  I really have to start to be in touch with everyday symptoms Vs. NEW symptoms.  Dr. put me on  gabapentin and trying acupuncture.  Has anyone tried this?  Thanks for listening...

Posted 2/14/2012 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Cak.  I understand that acupuncture does help with that type of nerve pain.  I've been having sciatic nerve pain and have done a lot of reading about it and acupuncture has been mentioned several times as a source of help.  I hope it helps you, too.

 

I don't know much about Gabapentin but I'm sure someone will chime in soon about this med.

 

I'm surprised that no mention of surgery was said.  I'm certainly not one to have surgery but certain types of neck injuries can cause huge problems if not taken care of.  You might want to get a second...and third....opinion, just to make sure.  I hope we have some members that have this problem and can give you better advice than I can. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 2/14/2012 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for thr reply...I go back in a month to see if altenative meds/acupuncture work first, then he said cortsone injrctions??
Posted 2/14/2012 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
I had two bulging discs in my C5/6 and C6/7. I was placed on Gabapentin for the nerve pain. It helped tremendously but it made me feel like a zombie. I had to eventually end up getting epidural injections in the bulging discs of my neck anyway. They were xray guided and they didn't hurt that bad. I had 3 one year and 3 another year. Now I don't have many issues with it. I still get a stiff neck every now and then, but I think that is just the result of messed up muscles from a whip lash injury years ago.

It got so bad, the nerve pain, that it felt like my right arm was in a vat of boiling oil. I had to end up going to the ER for some pain relief.
Posted 2/14/2012 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and I tried acupuncture but on my legs, not my neck. I have back issues as well and it felt like I was walking thru mud all the time. I had a MD that practiced acupuncture do mine. It worked like a charm! I wasn't a believer before but I am now! :)
Posted 2/14/2012 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
This is a strange coincidence, I just started gabapentin (pregabalin, the generic) myself last night for the same reason. Mine's in the lumbar spine. My doctor is hoping it'll let me get by with fewer pain pills, and avoid surgery. Who knows - I was already sleepy from the Norco.

I also had a cortisone injection last week, and can't really say it's helped, unfortunately.

Glad to meet you, Cak...at least I don't think we've met? Good luck with what you're trying.

Debbie
Posted 2/14/2012 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies.  I will be trying acupuncture...mabey it will help with my fibro too.
Posted 2/14/2012 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor put me on gabapentin for a time. After a few weeks I began having bigtime twitching in my legs, something I never had before, and burning feet.

My boyfriend's mom was put on gabapentin for a few weeks and her legs gave out from underneath her. Two days in a row she collapsed to the floor. My b/f talked to the doctor about immediately taking her off and she hasn't had an episode of falling since. That was a few months ago.

I tried a few rounds of accupuncture and it seemed to be short-term for me. I found it to be very expensive and not very beneficial.

Good luck to you.
Posted 2/15/2012 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on gabby, did not like it at all. Big time fog.

As for accupuncture, I've not tried it, but my last dog had several. As advanced as his spine issues were, they did give him some pain relief. If my insurance covered it, I'd try it.
Posted 2/15/2012 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on gabapentin for many years and have never had a problem with it. Can't remember the very beginning but if there were any side effects they must not have been bad enough for me to stop the med. It did help with the muscle spasms I'd been having in my neck. I've had cervical fusion at C-5/7.

Gabapentin is the generic for Neurontin not Pregabalin which is the generic of Lyrica.

Before my fusion I was having symptoms of tingling down my arm, numbness in my thumb & half of my index finger, then I lost complete use of my left arm. If you start to get these symptoms it is time to find a specialist.

Hope the gabapentin & acupuncture help!!!
Posted 2/15/2012 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I wasn't an advocate for acupuncture until I tried it out of desperation. I had been batting a pinched nerve in my neck that was causing my right arm to go numb for months whenever I turned my head a particular direction, plus I would get shooting pains.

Finally, I was out of options so I decided to give acupuncture a try. First appointment -- nothing. Second appointment -- definitely saw improvement. Third appointment -- when I left I felt like a wet noodle. So completely relaxed. I got into the car, turned my head, and it crackled in wonderful ways. The pinched nerve had released and hasn't bothered me since.

P.S. The needles didn't hurt bad either -- just a tiny little pin prick.
Posted 2/15/2012 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Jag, yes - I meant Gabapentin. All these gabbas can get confusing!

Debbie
Posted 2/17/2012 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
BEWARE of acupuncture, whether it's electric or needles. I've been injured by it, and the pain clinic I went to said they get a LOT of patients suffering from injuries from acupuncture. :(
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply