[lynn P.]

Three years ago, I had "frozen shoulder'. The pain was the most severe pain I've ever experienced and I had both my girls naturally lol. At the time I was getting physiotherapy which helped, but was excruciating, so I had to get cortisone shots. Within a day I felt relief and it completely went away. The last 2 months I'm getting terrible pain again. I'll have to see my doctor next week.

I'm interested to speak with others who've had this and wonder - does it come back or is this something else? It hasn't reached the severe range of motion, but it's difficult to even put on a bra. It's very tender to the touch.

[ECHOES]

I have had this. It really hurts so much and interferes so muhc.
My frozen shoulder was caused by bursitis. I could hardly use my arm and the pain and swelling of the upper arm and underarm was intense. Touching the inside of the shoulder blade was very very painful.

I was lucky that a cortisone injection helped a lot. It comes back, but if I catch it early and treat it with nsaids, which I can't tolerate for very long, that takes care of the pain.

I think it would be good for you to have another orthopedic evaluation to see what options are available for you.

[lynn P.]

Thanks Echoes. I'll call my doctor on Monday. My husband uses Naproxen for back pain and I've been taking his - it's not even putting a dent on the pain. I have a feeling I'll need the cortisone shots again. When I had it before, I couldn't even raise my arm higher than my shoulder or put my hand on my hip - it was the worse pain I've ever had. I'm doing the exercises from last time. Thanks for your reply.

[notz]

I agree with Echoes for a follow-up. Finding out what your options are is important. Wondering is no fun.

I tore my rotator cuff some years back and finally had arthroscopic surgery 3 years ago. They zapped 2 bone spurs and put 2 staples in for the tears and I'm good to go!

I know this isn't the same thing as yours, but I hear your pain! Shoulder problems are a real pita! I lived on ibuprofen and a variety of other nsaids. One thing was for sure, if I didn't keep a "therapeutic" level in my system at all times then I would "flare" up.

I planned my surgery. Did physical therapy before and after the surgery. The PT is key. My recovery was shorter because of it. Overall, it was a huge success! I haven't had any pain since I recovered from the surgery. As long as I continue my exercises at home, I should be good.

I still have all my ice packs...just in case...you never know. Ice is good for pain and inflammation.

I'm really sorry you're hurting Lynn. Any chance that the time at the computer is bringing it on? Tell your girls to be extra nice to Mommy. Tell 'em notz said so!!

[lynn P.]

Thanks Notz - that sounded like serious surgery, but happy it was a success. I think the mistake I made was not keeping up with the exercises - you know when we don't have pain, we forget - I know that's wrong. I also agree it could be getting worse from using the computer. I used to work at an actual computer desk and now I'm at the dining table with a laptop. This happened right around the time I switched - I think the ergonomics are off and I'm raising my arms to much while typing. I think I'll try typing with it on my lap and cut back on time too. Thanks for your concern friend.

[Perna]

I had a shoulder nerve problem a couple years ago and that was some of the worse pain I've ever had and took three months+ to get better and I finally had to take oxycodone to get any sleep at all. I'm always afraid it will come back. I'm finding so many weird things like that that happen as I get older.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Perna

I had a shoulder nerve problem a couple years ago and that was some of the worse pain I've ever had and took three months+ to get better and I finally had to take oxycodone to get any sleep at all. I'm always afraid it will come back. I'm finding so many weird things like that that happen as I get older.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks sounds painful Perna - do they know what caused it?? When I had the full blown Frozen shoulder - it was truly the worst pain I've ever had and I have a high tolerance for pain. I know what you mean about getting older - all the more reason to be vigilant with taking care of ourselves I suppose. I haven't been exercising this last year and I'm disappointed in myself, because I felt so strong when I did exercise. I think this is a sign to get moving more.

[notz]

because I felt so strong when I did exercise. I think this is a sign to get moving more.

Just so you remember those words!

[keepinon]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

Three years ago, I had "frozen shoulder'. The pain was the most severe pain I've ever experienced and I had both my girls naturally lol. At the time I was getting physiotherapy which helped, but was excruciating, so I had to get cortisone shots. Within a day I felt relief and it completely went away. The last 2 months I'm getting terrible pain again. I'll have to see my doctor next week.

I'm interested to speak with others who've had this and wonder - does it come back or is this something else? It hasn't reached the severe range of motion, but it's difficult to even put on a bra. It's very tender to the touch.

Yes, it started with my left shoulder which was so painful and took away my abilities to even dress myself without breaking into a sweat. I went to physical therapy and after months it seemed to get some better, but then my right shoulder started doing the same thing and I don't have the insurance to get PT on the right shoulder. Sometimes it wakes me up at night and the pain is unbearable.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by keepinon

Yes, it started with my left shoulder which was so painful and took away my abilities to even dress myself without breaking into a sweat. I went to physical therapy and after months it seemed to get some better, but then my right shoulder started doing the same thing and I don't have the insurance to get PT on the right shoulder. Sometimes it wakes me up at night and the pain is unbearable.

Thanks for sharing your story keepinon. I have a doctors appt. on Monday. I advise you to get cortisone shots if you can - this is what I got last time. I was in excruciating pain and even the first shot I had 90% movement back and the pain disappeared. The problem is - what makes it worse is not moving, but moving causes terrible pain - a vicious circle. I know the exercises that are good for it and I'm trying to do them, but it's extremely painful. I hope I can get the shots soon. Here in Canada we have to wait a year sometimes to see a specialist. But we're friends with my dentist and he's friends with the Orthopedic Specialist - so I'm lucky I'll be able to get in sooner.

[lynn P.]

Here's an update on my shoulder problem. I have an appointment with the Orthopedic specialist who treated me last time. It was supposed to at the end of Aug but I asked to be put on the cancellation list. I got a call yesterday and have an appt next thurs. thank God. The pain is getting worse 10 out of 10. I had my girls naturally and would rather have that pain. I had Xrays yesterday and will take them with me. I pray I'll get relief in the next 2 weeks with cortisone injections. I'm starting to feel so frazzled by all this pain and the recent dog attack. I take Naproxen and apply ice and moist heat - nothing helps me This is so agonizing.

[ECHOES]

Lynn, how did your appointment go? Are you feeling better?

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

Lynn, how did your appointment go? Are you feeling better?

Thanks for asking ((Echoes)). I took my Xrays to the specialist - he thinks it's a Frozen Shoulder again. I have my 1st cortisone appt on Tuesday and 2 more booked after that, a week apart. I pray the cortisone will work as well as before. He's a little puzzled why I have it again and asked if I was diabetic. I guess diabetics are more prone to it. I don't have diabetes but I did fall on my driveway 4 yrs ago and took the brunt of it, on my mid back and elbows.

Once I get some pain relief from the shot, I'll start the proper exercises. I find it so painful to do them now. It's so annoying because it hurts to move it, yet not moving makes it worse. For example a month ago, it was hurting to hook my bra on, so I hook it from the front and turn it around - now I can't hook it the normal way, even if I was paid to.

[notz]

Lynn,

I'm glad you're doing what you need to do. I remember those days of not being able to hook bra...but never not able to in the front. Ouch! I hope the cortisone helps, it was always a god-send for me.

I'm thinking of you.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by notz

Lynn,

I'm glad you're doing what you need to do. I remember those days of not being able to hook bra...but never not able to in the front. Ouch! I hope the cortisone helps, it was always a god-send for me.

I'm thinking of you.

Thanks ((Notz)) - I appreciate your concern. I can hook it from the front(lol), but no longer can do it from the back like I could a month ago. Yeah for cortisone.

[ECHOES]

lol, I took to leaving mine hooked and putting it on like a halter top...

I'm so glad you will be getting the cortisone injection tomorrow and I hope it helps a lot.

I was lucky, or maybe bursitis is not as bad, but one injection helped me so much it was all I needed at the time. I'm lucky that when it begins to come back, if I change how I am using my mouse at work it helps. So do weekends . Sometimes they come along right about the time I think I can't take it any more.

Good luck tomorrow. I hope you get quick relief!

[notz]

Echo, that reminds me...I can use a mouse either left or right handed thanks to my rotator cuff surgery. Some benefits lol

[ECHOES]

rotator cuff surgery left you ambidextrous?!

...wait.. I'm getting it.. it forced you to use the other arm

[lynn P.]

Hey guys I got my dates mixed up - I go this Thursday and the following next 2 Thursdays. Today was Orthodontist appts for my daughters - silly me. I pray I get the same relief, because the pain is worse this time compared to last time I had this.

[ECHOES]

lol.. orthopedist/orthodontist...

Sorry you have to wait another 2 days, Lynn. I hope they go by fast!

[lynn P.]

My doctor does the cortisone injections at the hospital in an area called the fracture clinic. People who need injections, casts removed, casts put on etc go there. There were at least 40 people there. I went at 1:00pm and didn't leave until 3:30. I don't feel better yet but I'm praying over the next few days I'll start to improve.

Normally waiting that long would be agonizing. Everyone looked bored and bothered. There was one large room that opened to a smaller one. In this group were most very old seniors, a guy about 38 and myself. Next to me was a grandmother who was a retired teacher. We all shared why we were there and then just talked. We started talking about the economy and the 38 yr old said "I remember when a pop was a dollar" and then the 80 yr old said "I remember when it was 5 cents" and we all laughed.

There was a TV and a cooking show on and I said "don't you hate when you're hungry and a cooking show is on"? The retired teacher next to me said "are you hungry......I have some gold fish crackers" and she handed then to me. She said she always has snacks for her grand kids. Then she tried to give me a box of raisins. The nine of us were talking away and the only ones laughing. The one who laughed the loudest and longest was a 90 yr old. I suspect this sense of humor is one of the reasons for living this long.

I guess the reason I'm sharing this is, it could have been a boring, negative experience but I actually had a good time lol and the time went by much faster. I've always loved elderly people.

[ECHOES]

What a great experience in the waiting room community! I am laughing at the goldfish crackers and raisins. I suppose at 90 there is not much left to do but laugh at life

I hope you start to feel better soon!

[lynn P.]

When you get the cortisone, there's also a numbing agent in it. Around 11:30 I was in more pain than before - I was get getting a sharp pain every second in my forearm. Then I started to worry it was too close to a nerve. I sat with ice until 12:00.

The info sheet they gave me said some people get more pain but it should subside in a few days. I didn't think you would get pain where you normally don't have it. The forearm pain is better, but there's no improvement in my shoulder. At least I have 2 more shots to go.

Last time I had this problem, the 1st shot helped by the next day. I'm trying to not be pessimistic about it not working this time. Maybe he missed the painful area IDK

[(JD)]

Grrr. My former MIL had a frozen shoulder and she refused to do the physical therapy or the ongoing stretching exercises "the rest of her life" and she lost the use of her arm, basically. I hope they can "unfreeze" yours and that you can get on a good plan of exercising so it won't cause additional problems for you in life.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by (JD)

Grrr. My former MIL had a frozen shoulder and she refused to do the physical therapy or the ongoing stretching exercises "the rest of her life" and she lost the use of her arm, basically. I hope they can "unfreeze" yours and that you can get on a good plan of exercising so it won't cause additional problems for you in life.

Wow that's so scary - but I can understand how that can happen. It's the worst pain I've ever had. The first time I had it, I tried to just do the physio and I have a high pain tolerance, but it honestly felt like torture so he recommended I get the cortisone. It worked amazingly.

The mistake I made was not keeping up the exercises.I didn't know it would come back I'm worried I don't feel any improvement and trying to be optimistic for the next 2. Its a catch 22 with Frozen Shoulder - you need to exercise and move but it's agonizing to do the exercises. The more you don't move, the stiffer it gets. Thanks for the hug ((JD))