Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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Ice or Heat?

m1078744
m1078744
I am having a lot of pain from the nerve block they did this morning and I'm not sure if it is best to use heat or ice to help with the pain. I can't for the life of me remember the situations that mean cold is better to use or heat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Usually for swelling they recommend ice; for pain it can be either or, depending on what you can tolerate. Many Dr.'s suggest alternating ice and heat for 20 min. each for dull throbbing pain. Nerve ablation/burning is a whole different kind of pain though and I'm thinking that heat might tend to aggravate it if your having a burning tingling kind of pain, so I would try cold first. If you don't care for cold (I personally can't stand it and it makes my pain worse) and the pain is not of a burning nature use heat. Also taking 800 - 1200 mgs of Ibuprofen can help dull the pain. If the Ibu bothers your stomach eat some saltines or other bland food, so your stomach isn't empty.

Just an FYI...I wouldn't use your TENS unit anywhere near this painful area, as you probably know.

I hope this calms soon, you've been going through so much lately, your a pretty strong young woman for handling it all so well.

Hang in there,

Kat
loralp
loralp
Definitely ice! I have had numerous nerve blocks, cortisone injections, the works! The 1st day or 2 does hurt! Ice will help more than anything. I hope the block works for you,
deleted_user
deleted_user
h
I hope your pain lessens Here is a trick I was told to do and it helped grind up a aspirin into Vaseline and rub it onto the sore area Not directly onto the injection site then put on a cold pack it seems to help the pain . I hope this helps you isabee .