Tamoxifen - nerve pain?

Hi Ella,

that sounds awfully similar to a problem I had a couple of years back, my superb physio sorted it for me, it was arthritic facet joints in my neck, due to age, most likely, (I am 73!) which had impinged in the nerves going out from the spinal cord. Now it may be that oestrogen suppression is reducing the amount of lubricant in the discs in your neck which is in turn, putting some strain on the joints and trapping the nerves. 

I suspect you need a really good physio with a few sessions. Mine manipulated and then used traction and gave me a specific exercise which I find keeps my neck fairly free. I can describe it as keeping facing front and level while pulling your whole head backwards a little, keeping your chin level at the same time. But I would advise you to have this checked out first by your physio. 

The fact that pain relief isn’t helping you that much also points to this problem too, sadly. Try not to have too many pillows at night, and try to keep your neck aligned with your body as much as you can, so if on your side then there needs to be more pillow than if you’re lying on your back. 

Sympathetic hugs as I really know how painful this is.....I was an OT before retiring by the way! 

xxx

Thank you, Moomy, you've reassured me that a PT could possibly help (I feel rather hopeless, currently).  I'm glad your problem was sorted successfully.

It shouldn't be an age thing, though, I am 48 and fit, with strong bones (I had a scan before cancer) - that's why I was thinking that this could be a Tamoxifen side-effect...  TBH, I don't really care how it came to be, I just want it gone!

Really hope something works and that pain eases, it’s such a bad, nasty, scary pain.

hugs xxx