frozen shoulder and nerve pain after neck injury can't bare the pain anymore!

Hi Kerri, thanks for responding.  After the first fall, 3 months later the injection was given via ultrasound and they said no rotator cuff tear, after this second fall a month ago I don't know.  I have had the exact symptoms you describe and if I sneeze I am rolling around like I have been hit by a bus and everyone thinks I am exaggerating the pain.  Guess the frozen bit after the second fall may be on top of a rotator cuff tear.  Two falls without the first problems being diagnosed is not helping matters.  Did the surgery cure your problem?

I had 2 ultra sound guided steroid injections, one in December one in January, they never mentioned a tear either, that ultra sound is really just to guide the needle into the right place.

I then had an ultra sound on its own, they said I had an inflamed bursa, still didn't find the tear. It wasn't till end of February that I told my GP I wanted a second ultra sound at a different place as I wasn't happy with the first ultra sound. The second ultra sound guy found a tear, my GP then referred me to an Orthopaedic surgeon who did his own ultra sound and confirmed a full thickness tear. Surgery was my only option, done arthroscopically 3 weeks later. I am now 7 weeks post op.....NO pain at all. Spent 6 weeks in a sling while tendon knitted back onto bone.......now doing very passive physio till week 12 then starting to strengthen the muscle. 12 months till full range of motion.....BUT I am pain free Penny. Just make sure that isn't what you have. The pain prior to op was absolutely debilitating and often took my breath away 😊

Hi Kerri, thank you so much for this information - i am going back to my GP to get a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon to conduct his own ultrasound ! At the moment I am being referred back to the hand and wrist surgeon to assess my wrist pain having been told it is the quickest way to get me referred on to see someone about my shoulder.  I don't think they have any idea how ill it makes you feel and each day is so difficult to try and get through.  So pleased to hear you are now pain free and on the road to recovery, I will revert back and let you know how I get on. Thank you

Yes please let me know how you get on Penny.

Your medical system definately is different to ours here in Australia. No offence, but your system seems to stuff you around a lot....I have been on this forum for probably about 3 months and the stories I have read about the proverbial run around is very sad.....as many people are suffering this insidious condition and not much seems to get done about it.....

Hi Kerria

I had an accident at work I December 2013 and was in agony with a sore shoulder and neck , had physio and cortisone injections which did no good! I was off work for 5 months with constant shoulder and neck pain , I was forced in to going back to work with threat of half pay! Finally after a lot of pleading I got an app with orthopaedic consultant and had xray that showed I had an acromioclavical injury!! I was told physio had made it worse and cortisone injection given by GP was in wrong place! I had surgery on the first of February 2015 where they carried out subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle and also release of my bicep tendon which was badly frayed! At my follow up at 8 wks post op Consultant informed me I had frozen shoulder , I knew something was wrong with the amount of pain I have. I have physio weekly and all that does is give me more pain. I had shower this morning and trying to wash my hair is almost impossible with left hand, I tried a normal bra today instead of a vest and really struggled to tie it St the front and then slip it round, it's sooo painful can't put arm behind back at all can't sleep unless propped up with more pillows it's a living nightmare !!! I have follow up on 17th June with consultant and he has indicated if it wasn't any better he would take me back in and remove the adhesive capsule ,so role on June I just want to have a normal life 😊 I really feel for you and hope you get some relief soon big hugs xx

Hi Kerri, glad to hear that in Australia you seem to get less of the run around.  After pushing hard I got a short ntoice appt for yesterday to see the hand and wrist surgeon within whose power it is supposed to be to refer me immediately to the shoulder surgeon decided by my GP as the quickest way to get attention.  On arrival computers not working properly and he could not access my notes (second time this has happened) also said that it is only the GP who can refer now to consultant but that he would try when I explained to him just how much pain I am in.  He wanted to give me another cortisone injection, this time in my wrist as he thinks I also have carpal tunnel now but I fought against this because of side effects last time.  I said I just want a clear diagnosis of the problems from shoulder to hand as it is now a year since my first accident and have still not had an mri of my shoulder yet or seen a consultant about it.  Excuse the pun but the left hand doesn't seem to know what the right is doing in the NHS.  I will now go back to my GP again for another letter in case the consultatn doesnt get anywhere.  So this has put me back a further 8 weeks , in the meantime physio are wanting to work on me (only 6 sessions allowed with the NHS before having to be re referred!) on the basis it is nerve damage from my neck which may well be right but worried I will be forcing my shoulder to move when not fully diagnosed as to the problem and previous physio has not helped.  I cant drive my manual car any more and housebound much of the time in a rural area with no income and little savings left which I was going to spend on a secondhand automatic car to enable me to get back working but now think I need to try and find a private surgeon to see if anything can be done which will likely take every penny left but I just have to do something to stop this level of pain.  In response to Alisons comments I also have a partner who is less than understanding which doesn't help and I am sure this impacts on recovery psychologically.  To everyone out there who appreciates how you don't want anyone to knock into you or grab your arm I am working on a product to help address this through a social enterpise (profit for people and the planet) I was setting up even before I had my own injury - the irony isn't lost on me - will want input from as many of you have gone through this to support this work. Meanwhile if anyone knows of a good private surgeon in the west country that would be great to know about too.  Will keep you posted and it is comforting to share similar stories, knowing you are not an alien and even better when you hear of a positive outcome and eventual pain free living again!  

Oh my goodness....what a damn joke Penny. I honestly feel for you, I have spoken to many people on this Forum, and to be honest many many of them have been completely let down by the NHS. It's very sad, I know how excruciating the pain is and how debilitating to you and your lifestyle it is. Throw in a partner that doesn't understand.......you poor darling 😩, you are getting the proverbial run around from all directions.

Your right about the MRI don't they need that to diagnose what the problem is.......I had an ultra sound that diagnosed the tear in my rotator cuff, the bottom line it was diagnosed, that's the main thing. I've been told the MRI can be quite uncomfortable on your shoulder and I know someone that couldn't complete it because of the pain, she is now waiting for a MRI under anaesthetic through the NHS, God now show long she will have to wait. Anyway I think your best bet is to somehow see an orthopaedic shoulder specialist. I wish you all the best and hope and pray you get a resolution soon I'm sending you gentle but living hugs 😘❌❌❌❌❌

Hi Jan,  sorry to hear that you have had two things in succession and think your concerns about physio making a situation worse are fully justified when they all seem keen to push us into physio before any proper diagnosis is made.  I think that sometimes they dont appreciate there can be multiple problems especially following a trauma induced frozen shoulder.  Unless there is just one thing they can deal with they are stuck, it is bad enough trying to get someone who deals with the whole arm instead of one expert for the shoulder, one for the elbow and another for the hand and wrist - not forgetting that neuro are also involved if the neck is!  You had an injury and they have dealt with the one thing when perhaps you already had a frozen shoulder starting too as it appears that the symptoms are difficult to distinguish between the various causes from what I am reading on this site.  Two people I know explained their symptoms and one turned out to be the shoulder and surgery cured it, the other it was her neck and surgery to her neck cured it but the symptoms were the same.   Also with frozen shoulder many just say you have to go through the stages and it will come right again in the end but can take years!  I am finding with the NHS that the quality of treatment and qualifications of those advising are being diluted as a way of moving you through the system more slowly but at the risk of conditions being aggravated or becoming chronic when at A & E they could deal with all this much better.  I would have gone home with a broken neck if it wasnt for a very caring doctor standing up against the opinions of others and erring on the side of caution to protect me until another opinion could be sought.  I am so thankful to him. Since then though no one joins the dotted lines and you have to fight for everything. I have been advised by sufferes to take powdered turmeric, use epsom salts in the bath and use Birch Arnica body oil when my lovely daughter calls around and massages it in for me.  Soothing if not curing and that all helps

Hi Kerri, how is your recovery going?  a lot happens in a few days; ended up in A & E Friday because I could not move with the pain and stuck in town not able to cope with public transport trip home and then walk. Doctors there said they believe it is regional pain syndrome caused by the brain and no physical cuase for the pain and that I need a referral to a pain management clinic as this is my only option.  Told me there is nothing wrong with my shoulder but would not allow me to have any diagnostic tests.  Sent me away with painkillers which I had already said I could not take.  Went back to my GP (fourth different GP in as many weeks from same surgery and each one has had a different opinion/comments, each contradicting their colleagues) who said I was referred to physio now and that was sufficient.  I put forward the request to refer to the specialist NHS clinic in Plymouth for diagnosis and if necessary treatment but had to really fight for a referral, not easy when in such pain - she even stated it was going to cost (meaning her practice!) I argued that I have not been properly diagnosed since the first injury a year ago and instead had numerous conflicting diagnosis and have been through physio twice already.  Dont know if she will actually make the referral and if she does if it will be to the clinic I have asked for.  So much for patients choice. Hand/wrist surgeon secretary phoned me to say he coul dnot make an internal referral to shoulder specialist either and commented on not knowing what is going on with the system as patients being blocked in all directions  Had a light bulb moment and phoned a specialist sports injury physio clinic I went to years back ( luck would have it the same very experienced and qualified man who correctly diagnosed bulging discs when told by my GP nothing wrong back then still operating) and he immediately saw me, used ultrasound and confirmed the frozen shoulder and not neck as cause of the pain and said they have great success using Radial Shockwave Therapy, very few failures.  Had the first session there and then which was pretty uncomfortable but then nothing is going to be pleasant when in such pain anyway, immediately had slight improvement on movement range.  Exercises to do alongside but he reckons that after 2 or 3 sessions the movement will be almost back to normal and pain relieved. I hope so ) If it works then better than surgery.  He also looked at my wrist and it is full of fluid, hence the swelling but thinks that this may all improve when the shoulder is dealt with and agreed with my own thoughts that it is better to avoid investigative surgery on that until the shoulder is improving.  This cost me £40 - if I went privately to a hospital the ultrasound alone would cost about £300 and god only knows what the NHS get charged.  Why oh why can't someone see that the system could be changed so very quickly to help people more quickly - most people are in a chronic state by the time the correct diagnosis and treatment is offered. A little compassion would also go a long way to help rather than being made to feel you are wasting their time and making things up.  I will let you know how it goes.  I will take up the physio offer and work on the exercises and will still hang on for the  referral in case it doesnt work or something else is found but at least I feel I am doing something and my condition is acknowledged.  Thank you for your hugs and sharing them back with you x

Oh my goodness you poor darling. How awful for you Penny, that is just disgusting treatment. Some one said to me recently that often the medical profession don't care if you get a solution to your medical condition, the important thing to them is they can keep charging the NHS for your visit, I thought that statement was ridiculous......but I am beginning to wonder.

Yes a little compassion would go a long way......do they think you have nothing better to do with your life than sit in waiting rooms waiting to see a stupid doctor who thinks your making it all up....oh please give us a break, why would we bother. I constantly read on this forum people in your country made to feel exactly the way you have described and I think it's disgusting.

I hope and pray that the shockwave treatment continues to be successful so that you can spread the word through this forum and maybe help others. People here in Australia think our medical system is awful, but I think it is 100% better than yours in the UK.

Sending you positive vibes and gentle hugs 😘❌❌❌❌

Hi Penny

I'm reading the various posts on here and it's just disgusting how the NHS treats people I worry that some of the Dr's we see don't have a clue,. I'm still having physio every week not that it does any good ! My physio is also manipulating my neck as the nerves between C4 C5 are tight and giving me tribe pain in my neck. I'm also trying to come off tramadol after taking 400mg a day which only dulled the pain I've become addicted to them so that in itself is a nightmare . I have another 3 wks of suffering before I see consultant on the 17th June , but then how long will it be before I am taken in to have the capsular release he has stated I will need if my shoulder still frozen which it is. My sympathies to every one out there experiencing the pain of F'S it's a dreadful thing that many people don't understand therefore we don't get much sympathy. Hope you are getting some relief xxx

Oh Jan, I sympathise with you coming off your meds. I came off a morphine based tablet I was taking for pain for about 5 months, I was only taking

1X20mg per day. But when I realised I was addicted as I was taking it in the end for that lovely euphoric feeling it gave me as I drifted off to sleep, not really for pain, I knew I had to get off it. I decided to go cold turkey.....the symptoms were the same whether I reduced it over time or just stopped it. So I just stopped it, it took 6 days, but I did it 😀. Every part of my body ached when I stopped it, from top to bottom, aching gums, muscles, between every rib, my legs just everything screamed for that morphine and I had shocking sweats. But at day 6 it started to ease, my body realised it wasn't getting any more and finally the aches subsided......but it was a damn rough and awful 6 days. You can do it Jan.....just don't weaken, your brain will try everything it can to trick you into taking those tablets, but every day is a day toward being off them and a day away from being in them. Stay tuff and good luck 💐😘❌❌❌

Hi to you all,

just need to eat some of my words, clearly the insistance I placed on my GP has worked! Having found what seems to be a decent clinic (NHS) I got a call and appointment booked for 11 June so the GP obviously got straight on to them.  Now I can try the Radial Shockwave Therapy until my appointment, if it works fantaastic and I will shout it from the hilltops to all other sufferers, if it doesn't I can fall back on the specialist route.  The pain is through the roof but having planned to put the patch of BuTrans on the other day I am trying to hold back so it doesnt mask the pain when I need to tell them where it all is and as I am hearing from many on this site, it can all be addictive.  Risk of addicition v pain relief this is the question but then again it doesnt seem to get rid of the pain in any event but adds a layer of other side effects. The morphine tablets sound good though Kerri when sat rocking at 3am...... You are so right Jan, people don't believe you and I am constantly being told 'you must have a low pain threshold' which really helps!  At least we are able to empathise, share notes and provide some much needed support on here, I feel for those who are not able to access anything or fight for some help.  x

YAY......well done, that is great news, you have all your bases covered.

Penny.....truly there are no awards for suffering the most pain, so don't, try and get your meds to work for you hunny. Worry about getting off them when you are pain free BUT at the moment you need them....use them 💗

We do all support each other on here, because we 100% know what everyone is going through, we have all felt that insidious deep aching pain, we have all struggled to get our bra on and off or pants up and down, we have all suffered night after night of sleepless nights and yes people that have never had it, have NO IDEA what we go through on a daily basis. 

Sending you gentle hugs from across the seas 😘💐❌❌❌❌

Hi Penny, I'm trying to catchup on your treatment thread...as we all agree a lot can happen in a few days! After reading your sports physio recommendation, I booked a appointment for next week, I'll see what they have to say & more importantly do!!

This came after a terrible week of sleeplessness & feeling like a zombie.... I thought right get moving onto something as I called my GP again pleading for help,she basically told me to take another pain killer & just sit and wait for the next physio appointment at the end of June (that will be 8 weeks since the second referral) the first physio was totally useless, said 'we don't believe in injections' meaning hydro dilation...& told me to buy a door pulley, & a excercise sheet...that's that from him! 

Obviously getting nowhere with their attitude I pushed for a specialist shoulder physio, and I'm told ANY referral ie specialist, orthopaedic, scan, anything has to go through the physio...well this is big news to me! I was wrongly under the impression ones GP made the referrals, I'm frankly stunned by the changes & seeming lack of care,being fobbed off continuity, even though I keep saying, this is intolerable, I need help, I need my arm back...etc etc. when is ignoring a patients pleas of pain and anguish acceptable? 

So here's hoping for a positive result elsewhere I'm giving up on that particular GP for now, I'll book another next time, see if he/ she listens??!

What's scared...is I know for a fact if I had a broken shoulder it would be sorted by now months and months ago...this condition is virtually ignored!

the only way through for us is to keep up the support & DiY suggestions until we get the treatment we deserve to cure our condition!

best wishes to all, keep your painkillers & sense of humour and stick together! (Not literally ...ouch!) Louise