Finally.....I think it’s over.
Posted , 3 users are following.
Its been a long time since I last posted but I can finally give you some good news. I have full range of motion - can I have a virtual high five, an Amen and a socially distanced hug. Its been over 5 years....
To recap, I suspect a vacation in August 2014 when hubby persuaded me to try clay pigeon shooting was the start. My shoulder started hurting in the October, where the shotgun had butted up against my shoulder.
I quickly progressed to excruciating pain, unable to move it, unable to roll over in bed, almost lifting my bad arm with the other. This stage lasted a long time and I visited a specialist who did x-rays, and MRI and diagnosed frozen shoulder. I had a couple of cortisone shots, one didn't work at all, the next helped but only with pain never with ROM. I tried a couple of medications, which helped a little, not a lot. I tried patches and creams and heat and cold. I did physio until my health insurance stopped paying. I did not want surgery and the Dr said it could take 9 months to 3 years to resolve on its own so I decided to persevere.
Eventually I settled into a routine with it, I hugged a pillow in bed, I woke up and it hurt like hell for a couple of hours but would wear off after a bit and I rotated between patches, sprays and creams depending on how it felt.
Finally I would say that the last year I haven't had that pain in the morning but still didn't have full ROM, eg I still couldn't reach up to high shelves, washing hair was still difficult, but it was improving. But today in the shower I noticed my arm was right up there and when I stepped out I raised both arms right up and then out from the side. No pain, a little clicking but I could have cried with joy.
One recommendation which I found on a blog is 701 Dieda Zhengtong plaster which I picked up from a Chinese pharmacy but you can get on Amazon, its a long wide strip that you can cut to fit. Its smelly but no worse than most but its the one that gave me most relief and it really stayed in place, even overnight.
Good luck everyone, there is hope, I wish you all the very best in your recoveries.
2 likes, 2 replies
ala02045 Chocolatebabz
Edited
It's great to read a success story. Although it is a bit scary that it took you 5 years. I'm in month 2 of my frozen shoulder, and I mental state is pretty bad because of it.
I will try those 701 plasters you recommended. So far, any ointments and painkillers I tried didn't really give me much relief from pain.
Chocolatebabz ala02045
Edited
I know, I actually thought it was permanent and had resigned myself to the fact that ROM was never coming back, I was just happy the pain had subsided.
Same here, nothing knocked the pain out when it was at its worst, some things gave me some mild relief, I think you really just have to try everything and find the thing that works for you. I hope you can get some of the 701 plasters to try, for me they beat biofreeze, salonpas etc.