Archive of Capsulitis Experience and Replies from 2005

Hi

I work with computers and I use the mouse constantly with my right hand. This requires my right harm to move in an unnatural way, due to this I believe I have contracted Frozen Shoulder.

I have suffered with mild pain on my right shoulder for at least 10 years but since June I experienced like most other readers about 3 months of excruciating pain. Could not sleep at night and could not carryout even the simplest of task without getting a stabbing pain on the shoulder and neck I have not been to the doctor or the physiotherapist, you may say very stupid! But I believe in self help, and since as they say there is no cure I decided to put up with the pain and do my own physio as and when I can.

Now the bad pain has gone even though I still get twinges constantly. I can sleep at night and do most things with my right harm. It is however unconfortable to use the mouse.

Peter

:D:D

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I too am sufering with my shoulder. As I am terrified of needles acupuncture did not seem like an attractive treatment but in desperation I had a go and can honestly say it wasn't bad at all. The tiny needle was inserted into my right shin(it's my rt shoulder that is bad) and felt very strange sensations which travelled up & down the leg. Pleased to say it did give me a bit more movement. So I would say try it:D

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Same with me entirely but I couldn't sleep so eventually had the injection. i did nothing much with the arm for a few days as somewhat uncomfortable (not really a pain but more of an ache) probably due to the actual needle into the muscle, but within 3 weeks the pain had reduced and now 2 months on it feels 80% normal though ocassional pain in bed when sleeping on that side.

Worth a try depending on what discomfort level you have.

JL

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I have had a frozen shouldr since July with all the accompanied pain and problems mentioned by everyone with same. Mine was caused by using an electric hand saw to cut out pieces of wood from a board at an uncomfortable angle and the vibration and repetativeness of the action contributed. Just overdid it! I am 61 and normally very flexible and healthy. I have tried physio,then chiropractor who was much more informed and helpful than the physiotherapist and told me he could do no more eventually so I returned to docs and today had a steroid injection which I found very painful afterwards for some hours! For managing the pain since July I have found hot baths with Radox muscle soak powder {from Boots chemist} soothes and relaxes the tense arm muscles (since my pain seems to register further down my arm) and then apply ice pack and take Nurofen and Codeine which I have on prescription from docs as can get stronger than the normal version you buy. I've been told that the steroid injection will enable me to do exercises with the physiotherapist without pain - and if that doesnt work in two months, manipulation under anaesthetic will be the next thing. Its all just to speed up the healing which otherwise can take years apparently! Do try the baths etc especially before bed and dont lie on your bad shoulder. Also the aim is to cool down the inflamation as I understand it so ice packs after the hot bath - on the shoulder only! Good luck and I hope the Codein doesn't give anybody nightmares - it does me!! and get well soon.

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I started having shoulder pain one morning about 3 months ago. I woke up and it was there.... It progressively got worse. After two sets of x-rays, and MRI, the orthopedic doctor said it was frozen shoulder. I am in excrutiating pain, it is hard to sleep. I am a teacher and it is causing me to be a "grump" in my classroom...I love to teach, so this has been difficult.

Here is my problem: Two years ago I took a fall backwards off a chair while student teaching. I suffered severe whiplash and have been getting treated ever since. This frozen shoulder feels like the nerves in my neck are swollen. I have been saying I felt like it was coming from my neck. The nerves in my arm and hand are now tingling. The doctor also did an MRI on my neck and found spurring on the C3, C5 area... It said I have moderate to severe nerve impingment as a result of the spurring... DOes anyone know if this can lead to frozen shoudler? I am absolutely certain this is all a part of this accident... Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

Thanks for your time... DMB....:roll::roll::roll::roll:

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I have frozen shoulder and had one hour of acupuncture and cupping twice a week for six weeks. It wasn't painful but the results were minimal. Just slightly more ability to reach behind with my affected arm. When I completed the acupuncture course the pain and immobility returned when I accidentally caught the sleeve on my bad arm on a door knob and wrenched my shoulder badly. I would recommend you try acupuncture. It can do no harm.

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Helo fellow sufferers, and random surfers ...I'm just into the 'middle phase' on my right shoulder, having experienced the 'joys' of this condition, in my left, some three or so years ago. This time round it's noticably more 'of a pain' (in all senses of the word) as I'm right handed! - although ...one hidden benefit ...I rekon I might be ambidextrous in a year or two :lol: Anyway, I haven't bothered with the injections etc. this time 'cause, for me at least, they made no difference ...but I have been taking Glucosomine Sulphate, which I feel might be helping (if only as a pacibo perhaps!). Finally, I find a bit of gentle stretching, followed by a hot soak in the bath before bed, coupled with a big fluffy pillow under the affected shoulder (as a cushion ...but also as an anti-turn-on-your-side device) helps at night.

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After a fall from a ladder in October 06, the frozen shoulder deveoped over several months, despite treatment from the osteopath and physiotherapist and painkillers - Paracetemol, Ibuprofen, Co Codamol and Tramadol, the condition has not improved. I am now going into hospital for the manipulation treatment under anaesthetic in a couple of weeks. After reading comments from person in Box No. 20, I am not looking forward to it at all.

Has anyone else had this treatment and how successful has it been?

I have been signed off work but obviously cannot be off indefinately because I will be putting my job on the line?

Does anyone know how long you need to have off work after the manipulation treatment?

Like many of the other correspondents, I also look forward to a good nights sleep!!:?:?

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Dear Kath

I've been suffering 6 months now. Pain like I've never known before- even drove me to tears! I too was refered to a specialist (took 10 weeks for that apt. to come thru') ...the injection never touched the pain & am now awaiting a general anaesthetic op. to manipulate my shoulder free (up to 12 weeks wait!). What has helped the pain albeit a double edged sword is taking BOTH the anti inflamatory diclofenac & the dihydrocodeine painkillers (both prescribed).Down side is nly 1 nightmare so far; one drug constipates & the other gives the runs...nausia is another side effect I suffer. So I get times when the stomach &/or bowel cramps just take hold for a day, 1 or 2 times a week. But I can now sleep thru' the night & am free of that awful pain!!!!!!!!!

I also use heat bags on it & hot showers to loosen it up in a morning.

Am getting physio once a week & am determined to avoid an op. as the condition is 'self limiting' apparantly, an op. seems overkill in my mind.

Hope this is of some help.

Liz

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Hi Liz

Please see reply to you coments under no 17 cheers kath

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A friend of mine who had recently completed a massage course told me of two excercises for frozen shoulder.

1, Take a leather belt and hold it with the 'good hand' over the 'good' shoulder and let the belt dangle over your back. Grasp the lower end of belt with the hand belonging to your frozen shoulder. Then gentle raise and lower the belt to gently exercise the frozen shoulder (10 repitions 3 times a day).

2. Lay on your back on the floor with your arms by your side and palms to the floor. Gentle raise both your arms similtanously in an ark over you head to touch the floor behind your head. At first, only go as far as your frozen shoulder will allow but your flexibility should hopefully improve with this excercise (10 repititions 3 times a day).

Hope this helps fellow suffers and don't forget to try to keep smiling. It could be worse.

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Greetings fellow shoulder sufferers~

I am grateful to have found this website and thankful for all of your comments.. for years now both of my shoulders would "pop and click" without any real discomfort.. mostly in my sleep. One night in October my left shoulder popped so loud it woke us up and this time with excruciating pain! Since then I have lost most of my range of motion. Cannot hook my bra, do my hair, or God forbid shave my pits!!! Sleep... what's that? Vicodine (?) cortizone shots don't help.. Aspercream, massage, hot tub and an occasional sleep aid do some good. I sleep on the couch with my arm cradled and propped and don't move! I am scheduled for the manipulation under anesthesia on April 6th and am hopeful that this will be helpful.. It can't be much worse, I imagine, than what I have been dealing with on a daily basis... Also am taking glucosomine which should be helpful..can't hurt I suppose and then months of pys. therapy.. Any fabulous comments are appreciated and again, it's good to know that there are others who share in my suffering.. blessings, Elizabeth* :magic:

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I have tried exercise 1, but unfortunately my shoulder is so frozen that I'm unable to raise or lower the belt to any level whatsoever.

Exercise 2 is also extremely difficulty for the arm which is frozen but the good arm is getting lots of exercise!!

I will try to keep smiling and of course any other exercises or suggestions are always welcome. :ill:

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I have had a frozen shoulder since July 06. I am now under a rheumatologist and have had 2 steroid injections and latterly a nerve block injection which was an immense help. They are not painful injections. Now I have pain in my other shoulder and today received a steroid injection in that. I am a typist and I am certain this doesnt help my pain but unable to have time off work. There is a slight improvement in the movement of my first painful shoulder but hopefully I wont have to go through the pain I suffered second time around! I found Arcoxia a great help - one a day - it helped the pain almost immediately, as the steroid injection soon wore off very quickly - not the nerve block injection - it was great. Sleeping with a soft pillow or even a rolled up towel supporting the shoulder does help.

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Developed pain two weeks ago and thought I was having a heart attack. Severe pain from shoulder to fingers initially. Some tingling in fingers, felt faint and dizzy when climbing stairs. Slight feeling of sickness. I attended local hospital who checked me out and suggested muscle strain to shoulder.

I had not moved or done anthyhing that I can attribute the shoulder pain too. It grew gradually worse over the course of a normal day. I am not involved in manual labour. Normal work routine involves appearing in court, some work at desk and PC and some driving.

I have been taking ibubrofen for pain relief and a stronger pain killer at night to enable me to get some sleep.

Pain does not seem to be diminishing. Although no naseau or dizziness now, I still get spasms of pain that are on a scale of 1 to 10 = 8

Have visited an osteopath but treatment seems to be ineffective. Will try further treatments before conclude anything.

I intend developing an exercise routine to attempt to avoid any muscle atrophy and hope it does not exasarbate the condition. Meanwhile screaming to myself and boring my family rigid with cries of "This really is bloody painful"

Thought your website was useful and informative. Maybe some facility for local groups of sufferers to communicate would be good.

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