Brachial neuritis- what are the treatment options?
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A 26-year-old male patient had left shoulder pain and weakness after tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccination and was diagnosed with idiopathic brachial neuritis 24 months before this study. The patient had undergone prednisone and ibuprofen treatment in another hospital, but the therapeutic effect was poor and limited. He has been diagnosed with Brachial neuritis. What are the treatment options?
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@aishee The sharp, searing, and/or shooting pains of brachial neuritis can be intense and disabling, especially for the first few hours or days. Most cases of brachial neuritis require some type of treatment to help manage the initial pain levels, such as one or more of the following:
Pain medications. Prescription-strength medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, or nerve pain medications (pregabalin, gabapentin) may be recommended on a short-term basis for severe pain. Long-term use of prescription pain medication is usually not advised due to the potential for serious side effects.
Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice initially may help reduce inflammation, while applying heat later in the process may help facilitate blood flow to the painful area and loosen stiff muscles. Some people find more pain relief with ice while others prefer heat. When applying ice or heat therapy, care must be taken to check the skin regularly to avoid skin damage due to the temperature becoming too hot or too cold.