Does this sound like a pinched nerve & what should I do about it?

[Wcross]

I am not seeking medical advice, just someone to point me in the right direction in seeking professional medical help if needed.

I have a pain starting in my neck and it radiates down my right shoulder & arm. At times my fingers feel numb. If I rotate my neck in one direction the pain goes away completely. If I hold my head in another position it hurts really bad. It just came out of the blue while I was on vacation and is not a result of a physical strain, the best I can figure is I started feeling the pain after a 13 hour drive.

I have been sleeping with a heating pad on it for the past two days, I feel good in the morning but later in the day it comes back.

1) Will it pass with repeated heating pad sessions?
2) Chiropractor?
3) Medical Doctor?
4) Invasive spine surgery that will leave me paralysed for the rest of my life?

I can take the pain for a while if it will eventually pass. I really don't know what I need to do. It has been a week now, I have only been treating it with heat for two nights.

Any experiences with a similar condition?

[Shakespeare]

1. I had a similar pain, initially thought pinched disc, but it turned out to be a muscle spasm.

But see a doc for sure--they can also give you muscle relaxers, which will help.

[malta blue]

2. hmmm

sounds to me like you should see a doctor just to check it out.

:pals:

I hope you feel better soon :hug:

[Wcross]

6. The sad thing is , its my DOG Petting hand!

I have six of them EXPECTING attention every day. I guess its off to a doctor Monday.

[malta blue]

7. LOL

poor pooches :hug:

Please take care of yourself. :pals:

[Ptah]

3. 3) Medical Doctor

[Maddy McCall]

4. Medical doctor for flexoril.

[Wcross]

8. Thanks for the tip Maddy, I respect your opinion.

I remember when you diagnosed my Mom having a Bot fly when her doctor had no clue. You knew exactly what it was from an Internet post. You are one smart Lady.

[Maddy McCall]

12. I remember that!

That was wild...I appreciated the cool photos you sent me, too!

Yeah, if I were you, I'd go to the doc and ask for some muscle relaxers and anti-inflamatories.

You'll probably be able to get some pain pills, too. If he offers them, then take them. Anything you can do to relax a muscle spasm will help, and pain pills will help you not tense up so much from the pain.

:hug:

[Deja Q]

5. Neurologist

I've a similar condition, not to mention spinal surgery a few years back (disc jammed into my spine)

Avoid surgery as long as possible too...

[Wcross]

9. That has to be a hard thing to deal with.

I work with a guy who has broken his back twice. I feel pain just seeing him try to work......

[iconicgnom]

10. I had something similar. Got referred to a physiotherapist. Fixed it. Finally. It was awful.

[IDemo]

11. I had similar symptoms

I became aware of a growing weakness and numbness in my left arm, and also had a stiff/sore neck. My doctor told me my triceps muscle was atrophied and referred me to a neurosurgeon. An MRI revealed a slightly herniated disc between the C6/C7 vertebrae.