Archive of Capsulitis Experience and Replies from 2005

I experienced a frozen shoulder thre years ago,female, aged 56. Carrying heavy bags of books, (as a teacher), I think contributed to the problem.

The original pain was excruciating and I was often in tears with the pain and lack of mobility of my right arm. I was unable to lift it more than a few degrees for many weeks and the pain lying down at night was constant.

I did not consider taking any time off work, which I now think was helpful in distracting me and keeping me moving. I learned to write on the board using my left hand.I did drive, but in retrospect it was probably rather risky, as my right arm was held close to my ribs.

Keeping moving,walking, helped to relieve the pain which was very intense in the first stage.

I would frequently get up at night and walk briskly( often sobbing and cursing) around the garden to get my blood flow going, before trying to return to sleep for another couple of hours. I eventually returned to aquarobic sessions weekly and did what I could with restricted movement and I think that it really helped.

A hot shower with pressure on the affected area also gave some relief especially in the mornings.A small electric heat pad and microwavable cereal/grain/lavender bagl were also helpful pain relievers sometimes.

The consultant's advice was accurate and it was two years before everything was almost back to normal. I now try swim regularly and my backstroke arm movement is pretty good.

The prescribed anti-inflammatory tablets made me feel sick so I had very few, supplemented by aspirin when things were very bad.

Gentle manipulation and massage by an excellent physio,towards the end of the second stage when the pain was less intense was beneficial.

The notes and advice given by consultant, CR Constant MA LLM MCh FRCS were helpful, accurate, and reassuring. Finding out as much as I could about the problem also helped me to decide what to do to help myself.

[i:b4aa43d3b3]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:b4aa43d3b3]

I like the others above suffered from frozen shoulder for a period of 9 months last year. I paid private and had NHS physiotherepy I had two small cortisone injections by GP , weeks apart, hydropool therepy, MRI and numerous x-rays ,accupuncture all to no avail until I saw consultant and had three 50ml cortisone injections at fortnight intervals. The pain before these injections was dreadful but they seemed to work over a time and I returned to work with 98% movement. That was 6 months ago but the familiar pain seems to have returned to my other arm this past 5 weeks and is getting worse dispite the hopeful exercises that I am doing. I have had no accident and have no reason for either conditions.

[i:6788dbeae2]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:6788dbeae2]

Thankyou for your comments about your pai9nful frozen shoulder. I particularly identified with your comment about screaming to yourself with the pain and boring the family rigid with cries of "this is really painful". My frozen shoulder seem sto have come on montsh after a shoulder rotator cuff injuury. It is particularly difficult as I am very tied up trying to help my youngest daughter with her 1 and 3/4 year old twins as she expect another child in August. And so many movements hurt such a lot so I feel pretty useless. Luckily my husband is carrying a lot of the grandparent load for me, but I long for some respite. The phsio has now referred me to aconsultant so hope for some help. Good luck with your diffilties, it really is bloody I agree!:roll::roll::roll::roll:

[i:b8ed66602a]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:b8ed66602a]

Following a rotator cuff injury last summer I had some trouble with my painful shoulder. But I fell whilst walking about 4 months ago and have since had a frozen shoulder. The GP suggested phsiotherap;y, which was pretty painful,but did restore a bit of movement in the arm. Because it hurst so much it was beginning to just hang uselessly whilst I used my left hand more and more. Now the phsio has said its not improving, is very stuck nnd has referred me to a conultant. It was cheering to read everyone elses' comments as the pain just gets you down, and the limits to what you can do. As I am helping with two little twin grandaughter under two, and their Mum expectg another in summer the limitations are hard to bear as well as the pain. But what helps is:painkllers warmth proper estiopathic pillow (bought in large store) also walking and swinging arms for aqbout an hour a day if I can manage it. Sometimes its too painful to do anything, or exercises. Lets hope time heals (and soon!) Madeleine.

[i:1e316bd681]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:1e316bd681]

Hello, i've had a frozen shoulder since last september, never knew anything could be so painful, had five steroid injections, physio, but am still in pain. not sure what to do next:cheers:

[i:38ecd138ff]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:38ecd138ff]

Not really sure if I've got frozen shoulder or not as I haven't seen anyone about it yet. Just wondered if you guys can help? Virtually every night for the last few months I've been waking up with extreme pain in my shoulder, I move my arm and the pain gets worse for a little while then goes away. I get this pain in either shoulder, it all depends what side I'm lying on, and I also get it when I lay on my front. I don't get any pain during the day. Wondering if this is frozen shoulder?:?

[i:b55646bafd]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:b55646bafd]

Hi fellow sufferers,

It's great to talk to other people with the same complaint because if you've never had the condition you can't possibly imagine the discomfort and pain. I had a frozen shoulder in my right shoulder about 10 years ago and left it far too long before going to the doctor. He recommended an injection but I hadn't heard good things about them so I decided on a course of physiotherapy. It was absloute agony but really helped and within 4 months I was cured. 10 years later I've now got a frozen shoulder in my left shoulder and immediately contacted the same physiotherapist who was luckily still practising. I've had about 6 sessions with him now and can really feel the improvement. The pain is still there but the mobility is a lot better.

I've found that the following things really help - a warm bath in the morning, rubbing my shoulder with a pain relieving cream (Joint & Muscle cream containing Emu oil has been a real life saver - I ordered it on internet) doing lots of exercises at home - one of the best is using a pully which I've attached to a screw in the ceiling, taking Glucosamine, a painkiller before I go to sleep and sleeping with a soft cushion under my afflicted shoulder.

I'm afraid it's really a question of gritting your teeth and doing all the horrible exercises and slowly but surely it does get better.

[i:f12d7852d7]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:f12d7852d7]

I went to the doctors just over a month ago with a very painful shoulder and told him the pain extended down the length of my arm and up my neck during the course of the day, and that I was unable to sleep at night. I also found getting dressed and undressed very painful. He prescribed Diclofenax and CoCodamol for 3 weeks and told me to come back, he said he didn't know what it was. I went yesterday to see his colleage (I made a point of asking for another doctor)who diagnosed Frozen Shoulder within 30 seconds. He gave me a cortisone injection straight into the shoulder and has prescribed Dicolfenax and CoCodamol again. I have to go back for another injection next week.

I do sympathise with everyone who has posted here - the condition is very painful and I'm not sure non-suffers get just how debilitating it is - my daughter has to help me get dressed and I'm only 42. I'm encouraged to read that it goes away after a period of time but at the moment it's just getting worse even with the injection and other drugs.

[i:f9d4b79212]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:f9d4b79212]