Both shoulders

Hey there Sarah! I think it's entirely likely. Severity varies in illnesses, and from person to person. The question I would pose is how long ago were you diagnosed with your recent case? Could it be that your symptoms just haven't progressed to that stage yet? I'm not trying to sound negative- just putting it out there for thought. I would be inclined to think that perhaps this go round it isn't as severe (yay!!). The reason I say this is you've been through this before, you know what it feels like and what to expect (symptomatically), you know YOUR body, and lastly, again illnesses can vary in severity.

I'm sorry you are going through this again- even with milder symptoms, it's still awful; but I'm glad it doesn't appear to be AS bad as your last go round.

Sarah, I had FS in my left shoulder that was horrible (Certain movements when it was at its worst would reduce me to tears and nearly fainting!). It lasted about one year and  I have nearly all my mobility back (I only notice a bit of tightness in some yoga postures). Before my first FS was over, I started getting similar symptoms of FS in the right shoulder!! UGH. I have had a couple of ultrasound guided cortisone shots that have been VERY successful in my current/right shoulder FS. They hardly made a difference with my first onset in my left shoulder.

I agree with you....my second frozen shoulder has been around for nearly a year (but with symptoms minimal after shots) and is so far, not as severe. At this point, the shot that I received in September has worn off, so I am getting stiffer and having more pain, but still nothing like the first round. 

From what I have seen and heard from others, every case of FS is different. Some have symptoms for 3-6 months, others for a year or 2. I'm hoping my second round  will be easier. I guess time will tell. I can say that having been through it before, I feel calmer and less stressed about it (which can help pain) as I know from experience that it does eventually get better. 

For now, I am keeping up with my PT exercises, taking fish oil and trying to follow an anti-inflammatory (Mediterranean) diet to try to reduce symptoms. As I stated earlier, the only thing that has really had noticeable positive results for me have been the ultrasound guided shots (the shot into your shoulder without the ultrasound effect of getting it right into the joint is useless).

Best of luck to you....sorry to hear that you are dealing with this a second time....you are not alone!

My second one was very mild and with my non-dominant arm, I wasn't even sure if that was what was happening, but I got acupuncture treatments just in case, The first severe one lasted 3 years and the aftermath lasted 12. I had never heard of FS till I got it then, like a lot of things, I found out it had happened to many people including my father. Wonder if it might be hereditary?

He had Dupuytren's and now I have it in one hand. (Thanks, Dad!) 

Hello Sarah 

Are they sure it’s a FS this time , that’s what I would question , not sure if there are mild cases of FS. 

True FS the 3 stages freezing - acute horrendous pain , pain particularly at night. FRozen - severe stiffness and impingement if movement and continued pain . Thawing .... final stage 

I would ask again .. was it your doctor that told you that ..

In the end I only trusted my orthopaedic specialist as I felt he was the only one that knew the right diagnosis 

Best of luck xx

I think the main difference between my first and second frozen shoulder was that I recognised what it was early on.  The first time, (as with many others) I thought I'd pulled a muscle or trapped a nerve and that it would eventually sort itself out - hence I sought help from the doctor very late and was, by then, very badly frozen and in awful pain.  

Having gone through it once, I recognised the signs much earlier on, second time round and so was able to get treatment much earlier.  First time, I got relief from the pain that enabled me to gradually regain movement after having hydrodilatation.  I'd had this done when I was badly frozen and the consultant told me that if it should happen again, the earlier the treatment was done, the better results.  Once I was sure that my second shoulder was freezing (2 years after the first) I went back to the consultant and he agreed this was the case and offered me early hydrodilation.  It was the best thing I could have done - I'd lost little movement and the treatment, along with some gentle physiotherapy from a really good therapist, ensured I had full movement very quickly.  After the cortisone wore off (a couple of months) I had a little discomfort if I slept directly on that shoulder for a while but no pain during the day and no further stiffness.  The early treatment meant I avoided the worst of the symptoms and was able to get on with my life as normal.

If this is an option for you, I'd certainly recommend getting early treatment - it worked for me!

I agree Sarah, that part of the second FS being a bit better is probably due to earlier symptom recognition. In my case, my left shoulder was still thawing when the right acted up, so I was already doing PT (and as a yoga teacher, it just felt weird to do exercises only on one side, so I was doing the exercises with both of my shoulders which has probably helped).

Adhesive capulitis is probably a better term to be using...than FS..I agree with the earlier response that it is a misunderstood condition. Most folks don't realize how debilitating and painful it is and that leads those of us suffering to feel alone and misunderstood...along with being in pain! Forums like this are so helpful. 

Judging by these responses I wonder if the second one is less severe no matter what treatment you try.to make it so. Maybe we have developed anti bodies of some sort?