Is this really Frozen Shoulder?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I started with tricep pain on 6/15/16 right after a massage. I have had some form of pain from my shoulder to my wrist 24/7. Haven't slept more than 3 hours straight in four months. Went to an ortho in September because I couldn't raise my arm above my shoulder. He did an x-ray and said I had calcific tendonitis. Pain in shoulder and upper arm got worse. Now he says it's frozen shoulder. I've had steriods, two cortisone shots, ibuprofen, naprosyn, tramadol, vicodin, percocet. NOTHING touches this pain. I had an MRI on Sunday and am getting results today. There has to be more to this, right? I have a lump in my bicep and extreme tenderness just below that lump when touching it. I agree with the depression and wanting to cry. When will this get better?
1 like, 11 replies
sue35966 irene1966
Posted
Hello Irene,
I've had frozen shoulder since June of this year. Ask your doctor if you can use Diclofenac Topical Gel 1%. I was in the same situation as you this summer and this was a God send for me. It's transderal so it goes into your skin where you need some pain relief.
This condition takes alot of patience and prayer. I started physical therapy too soon, had to stop, and now I'am able do PT and see results, but my PTherapist told me its a long road to recovery, but it will happen doing the exercises.
As a side note, my bicep is extremely sensitive and have/had alot of pain there, but the stretching exercises they show you, good posture helps and ice and heat too.
Hang in there- Sue
tracy12563 irene1966
Posted
I know what you're going through !! I woke up one morning 2 years ago with a really sore shoulder and tried different Physio's for 18 months with no success and the pain got worse. I couldn't lift my arm and even writing hurt ( the worst is it's my right shoulder and I'm right handed). I finally sent for an X-ray, an MRI and an ultrasound which showed torn bicep and frozen shoulder. I had the surgery to reattach the bicep and came out with severe frozen shoulder ( the pain for the last 6 months has been excruciating!!! I have slept maybe 2 hours a day if I was lucky and have been really depressed and frustrated.
After 2 tries with cortisone injections, which were only mildly successful my surgeon recommended Hydrodilatation.
I had this on Tuesday morning and can only say that the results , to date (3 days later) are amazing !!! still have some pain as the liquid got into my bicep and I had a 'popeye' look going but that is lessening now and so far have no shoulder pain. It's wonderful! I even slept for 5 hours last night.
If your specialist recommends 'hydro..' definitely try it. It was painful at the time the Dr did it but the relief now more than makes up for it. Good luck !
Maddie64 irene1966
Posted
Hi Irene. Sorry to hear you've joined the club. Mine started last year in September and the only thing that has helped me is an herbal supplement MSM 1000mg once a day. I'm feeling sad again cause I'm maxing my PT visits out and only have 2 left. Now that I'm in the frozen or thawing stage it has really helped me. I'm still not sure what stage I'm in cause if I go a few days without MSM the ache comes back. Dear God this is just awful. I just want to cry. Try to do PT as soon as you are able. My scapula is now winged and my arm is so much shorter. Not to mention the muscles have atrophied a lot due to non use for 9 months or so. I hope you find some relief.
irene1966
Posted
UPDATE: so the MRI verified that the only problem is indeed frozen shoulder. He said the bone above my rotator cuff is slightly lower then it should be and it is not helping the inflammation. He said a simple surgery to shave that bone may help relieve the frozen shoulder sooner. But it's my choice. So I'm doing another round of oral steroids and trying PT next week. If that's too hard I guess surgery unless I just wait this out. Wish I knew what would work best and fastest.
tracy12563 irene1966
Posted
The recovery from surgery is a lot slower too.
Good luck
bruce11960 irene1966
Posted
Shaving of the bones helped me 20 years ago at age 44, but the last surgery(Oct. 2015) did not do much at all. He repaired the badly torn rotator cuff in the same surgery. Now says MUA is worth a try. So... go for the surgery. It seems like it will help you. I am still thinking about MUA because I can't play golf or lift any real weight, but can sleep PRETTY well and do OK during the day.. but i wanted more out of my retirement! I just don't want ANOTHER year almost totally disabled, so I am doing nothing at this point. HOWEVER, the mention of the diclofenac topical is a good idea as well. It does help some, especially since I am on Xeralto and can't take oral Nsaids.
Maddie64 irene1966
Posted
I also had the bone that is bent forward a little. Think it was called subacromium 2 impingement . Once I started on the MSM for inflammation the pain got better although my first round with PT 5 months in was unbearable. I had to wait til the my should actually froze before I could handle PT. what a difference the wait made. I've read it takes 2 to 3 years to heal. I guess you need to figure out surgery va waiting. I'm waiting, and it's so hard.
teresa42721 irene1966
Posted
Hi Irene your experience sounds very much like mine. My pain came out of the blue in arm and Shoulder at the beginning of August . I have not had a scan but the doc is convinced it's Frozen Shoulder. I have had steroid injection which didn't touch the pain. I too hardly get any sleep wake most nights Make tea and hot water bottle. My movement is very limited can't seem to do anything with my arm ,if I move it suddenly I am in agony for a few minutes. I just want the pain to ease but it feels like it just won't ever go . I try not to moan on about it as people do not want to listen but talking to others who suffer do help . I think I am going to ask for a scan because I will feel better if I know for definite what it is... Take care and I hope it helps to know that you are not alone xx
irene1966 teresa42721
Posted
Thanks Teresa, it is good to know I'm not alone. I don't think the people in my inner circle really get this pain. And I'm tired of complaining about it. but ........ It hurts like hell!
teresa42721 irene1966
Posted
It does day in day out although I find some days it's really bad . I seem to be attached to an ice pack or a hot water bottle the thought of months more of this pain and possibly years before the condition goes all together gets me down . I can either let iit take over or I try and keep positive... Xxx I just keep coming back to this forum when I am really low and that helps xx
😋😋
Netmouse irene1966
Posted
You can only know if you have FS by the results of your MRI. Good luck.
I also had calcium "bone spurs" in my shoulder (rotator cuff) and trouble raising and lowering my arm. My ortho doctor performed surgery to remove the spurs and fix some resultng tears. You are possibly getting too much sterioids (which cortosone shots also are) I think, I'd get a second opinion with another ortho doc and speed things up.
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