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Frozen shoulder and who we are??

Posted , 19 users are following.

cindy_45475
cindy_45475

Hi all just thought I would try and get us all together; to see who we are how we got here, how many there are of us; our ages , jobs lifestyle etc to try and find any plausible link to what we are going through..

I am Cindy, (as some of you already know), I have just turned 48, i live in Norfolk, UK.

I think I am starting to go through the change in life with the dreaded hot flushes😳.and lack of menstral cycle. I have had frozen shoulder since Oct 15, although I believe my first diagnosis was rotar cuff injury ? I had not had any injury to my shoulder, just a bucket load of stress prior to the onset ??

I would consider myself healthy, with a good diet, I drink occasionally and do not smoke. I am a senior support worker, I do use a computer daily...., and I probably did not exercise as much as I should have.

There is history of FS in my family and arthritis?

This forum has kept me sane (thank you all).. I believe I am now FROZEN, movement is restricted and the pain;although still there is more bearable. I still need the comfort of my heat mat and I have found a TENS machine works well , I have also started Trigger Point Therapy which is helping: I am also sleeping a little better although 8 hours sleep is a very distant memory !! Any way I'm rambling now my idea for this discussion was bullet points to try and find a connection ; so I've blown that already😊 anyway if you want to respond; thank you x

3 likes, 53 replies

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  • FSconversations
    FSconversations cindy_45475

    Posted

    Hi Cindy:

    You're right - I would love to know too WHY this happens. I am 51 and in Canada, very healthy but take the lowest possible dose of synthroid, homemaker/retired nurse, not stressed. Use a computer daily for volunteer work, but switched to more skype and less typing in the thick of pain.

    I had a teensy injury to my right (dominant) shoulder last spring and within weeks started feeling those little zings and zaps when I'd reach for my glasses or phone in the morning. I had gentle physio until being discharged, but something still didn't feel quite right. By Sept I knew it wasn't good & learned about "frozen shoulder" then. We all know the horrific pain!

    I'm not sure how I could have managed without this forum, especially when up in the wee hours not sleeping anyway and needing comraderie and answers. I read tons here - THANK YOU EVERYONE - and elsewhere, and after some rather grim physio sessions last fall that I knew were worsening my shoulder, I opted for the 'let it be' approach. I might have considered surgery if someone could have told me WHY this happens.

    My doctor wasn't so sure about my decision to let it run its course - he and physio would opt for surgery - but he gave me codeine for the pain, so I knew he believed me. Couldn't have done without it - and let me say here about addiction: if you have a pain medication that matches the pain receptors in your body - like two gears working together - the doctor said, in his opinion, it's not addictive then. Only becomes addictive if you take more medication than you actually have pain receptors for; so he started at the lowest dose & then increased it slightly so I could have the long acting version. He let me take the codeine with other drugs like ibuprophen, tylenol, muscle relaxants, etc. as I needed for either daytime or nighttime.

    I used ice for the 'burning' pain and heat (gel packs, moist heating pad, showers) for the deep aching & throbbing pain. I found it's good to think about the type of pain & treat it accordingly. An anti-inflammatory gel, TENS & gentle rubs helped too. I used a scarf to make a sling so I could suspend my arm in the car when riding as a passenger for trips longer than half an hour. I still use a latex foam seat belt cover where the seat belt touches that shoulder. Best spent $6 in all this. 

    My family was super supportive, although they'd get a little weirded out when I crumpled in pain - YOU all know what I mean! My hubby got used to my night time wanderings. And I'm sure I tried every sleeping spot in the entire house! 

    The good news and answer to prayer is I'm moving along with the process and  I don't take meds anymore! About six weeks ago I slept soundly one night for no apparent reason, and after that the pain started lessening gradually. So I think I'm in the middle stage - much less pain. I can even sleep on that side. THERE IS HOPE!

    I did have a cortisone shot back before Christmas, but it didn't seem to do much. If it did, it wasn't dramatic. I also had an MRI (finally got in on a cancellation) which confirmed a little tear from the original injury & the adhesive capsulitis. Yeah! It's not in my headrolleyes

    I have gained back a bit of ROM these past six weeks, but I don't think I'm thawing in stage three yet, though I don't really know what to expect there. I like to imagine that someday I'll just reach up for something and my shoulder will take my arm there!

    I don't do physio. But I do intentionally use my arm as much as I can in the natural, little everyday things. For example, like someone else said here, I used to automatically hold my arm at my side while walking, but now I intentionally make it swing with my gait, even though it's not swinging very far.  I put a mirror in front of the treadmill so I can remind myself to be nice to my shoulder when walking. If it starts to 'hike' up, I stop there and think about how my other shoulder feels. And I used to fall asleep with my arm in the "chicken wing" position, but now I fall asleep first with it out at my side on purpose. It wasn't comfy at first, and I'd often wake up with it tucked up in the "chicken wing" position again by default. But my arm reaches out in front now almost the same length as my good arm.

    Choosing 'natural' is working for me so far. I've learned much from everyone here over the months! Hopefully SOMEONE will soon figure out what causes this monstrosity! 

     

     

    • cindy_45475
      cindy_45475 FSconversations

      Posted

      Thank you , your post is positive and super encouraging . I'm definitely sticking to what I'm currently doing, Heat , Tens and massge and Anti inflammatory gel with the occasional paracetamol ... Although I have taken ibuprofen and paracetamol this morning after an intense session of massge yesterday to try and break through the mass of knotted muscles in my shoulder / form arm! I'm confident tomorrow the pain would of eased again .. Good luck to everyone with what ever path you choose but at least we now have evidence that if left relatively only the condition will eventually go ...thank goodness for that 😘
  • terry74787
    terry74787 cindy_45475

    Posted

    The things that pop up in most people seem to be some genetics with Diabetes, menopause (lack of hormones), hypothyroidism, with and mostly without a prior trauma to their arms.  I also struggled with scapula dysfunction which pulls on your spinal cord and adds to the fun.  My neck goes out of alignment from the muscle spasms. My first at 54 was operated.  Pt was impossible until surgery. My second at 56 was not operated as the thought of going thru the rehab again was unbearable. My second had me working with a Physiatrist who specializes in body mechanics. He taped my scapula in the proper position and started me on PT.  I also had a deep tissue massage therapist. It hurt but she broke up the scar tissue so I got ROM back.  I feel all of your pain. So sorry for everyone.  
  • jane91789
    jane91789 cindy_45475

    Posted

    Hi Cindy, I'm 47 and live in Australia.  I believe my frozen shoulder was caused by a very poor routine put together by my personal trainer which focused too much on shoulder exercises which resulted in a rotator cuff injury which then became frozen shoulder.  That said, recent scans showed calcium deposits in my shoulders which could have been a contributing factor.  I work for long periods at a desk as I do recruitment and it's considered almost rude to leave your desk before your 9 hours is up!  I think I have moved into phase 2, I have very restricted movement, but the pain has subsided substantially.  I was also diagnosed with inflamatory markers, so that;s being investigated.  Either way, it is really draining.  I would hate this to drag on for 3 years.
    • karen25221
      karen25221 jane91789

      Posted

      Im a customs / immigration officer mine was caused through continual swiping processing passports at chest height and overstretching and of course heavy lifting and on personsl safety training having my arm rammed up my back to be handcuffed. However ive been placed on restricted duties as i cannot do the training and cannot have my arm put into these positions.
    • teresa59318
      teresa59318 jane91789

      Posted

      I know Jane .im about 8 months in and the thought of 3 years is just daunting. I see no end to it and wonder if I will ever feel well in myself again. It's hard to stay strong. 
  • debbie36227
    debbie36227 cindy_45475

    Posted

    Hi everyone! I am 51 and lived in Michigan. I had a very bad fall on hard floor. I had rotator cuff torn surgery and frozen surgery. I am still in pain. I take Norco if needed for pain. It seems helping me to get sleep.

    I worked at Target and work as stocking shelves. Now I told my boss I can not do this because of this injury. I am deaf and my boss won't give me other job duties as light work. Any advice would be helpful.

    • FSconversations
      FSconversations debbie36227

      Posted

      Hi Debbie,

      I think one of the harder parts of dealing with FS is that we look so normal to others. It's good that you spoke with your boss. What might help is to think of several of the light-duty jobs that you expect you could do instead. Talk to your boss again and offer these as suggestions of what you'd be able to do more efficiently until your arm heals.

      Wishing you well!

      Liane

    • teresa59318
      teresa59318 debbie36227

      Posted

      That's tough Debbie. I don't know how you would stack shelves with this awful condition. The stretching alone would be a nightmare. Could you get a Doctors letter to explain to your boss that you need lighter duties. You need to mind yourself. Take care. 
  • boo1knight
    boo1knight cindy_45475

    Posted

    Hi cindy

    like you I'm a senior support work on computers through out the day and seeing clients. I've hit the big 50 and this is my second round of frozen shoulder!! First time was in my right one and lasted for 18mths,  this one in my left is so much worse. I had physiotherapy but with no real improvement, but my physio did suggest maybe going on HRT as many of her clients have had good results doing this, as its common to get frozen shoulder  once starting or going through the menopause. I'm waiting on my Dr to see if they will give me it as I have a mirena Coil. 

    I'm 6 mnths in so far and know I have a way to go.

    hope you get some relief .

    Boo xx 

    • maria58274
      maria58274 boo1knight

      Posted

      Interesting to hear this suggestion coming from a physio.  A lot of the doctors seem to dismiss the hormone connection but I'm convinced - mine started when I'd drastically reduced my HRT.  I'm not sure that lack of estrogen is necessarily the actual or only cause - but as it plays a part in maintaining collagen, lack of it may mean your body is less able to fend it off.  Joint aches and pains and skin thinning are accepted menopausal symptoms for some women, so why not frozen shoulder too?  I've since restarted a higher dose of HRT and though I've had hydrodilatation, am sure this has also helped.  I'm also hoping it will help me fend off a second one in my other shoulder - though I've had twinges, they seem to settle down and I'm OK so far (everything crossed!).  Having read the latest official UK guidelines on HRT (and knowing how much it helps me) I'm going to stay on it for as long as I can!

      Good luck with the doctor - but be prepared for possible scepticism!  Let us know how you get on.

    • debbie36227
      debbie36227 boo1knight

      Posted

      I am 51 and still have irregular periods. I just had frozen surgery three weeks ago. Still in pain and ROM is mostly passive getting much better. Active ROM is not there yet since I am weak. You mention HRT. I am not sure if this will work for me. I never heard of this that may work. Let me know if this will work so I can talk to my ortho Doctor.
    • cindy_45475
      cindy_45475 boo1knight

      Posted

      Hi boo , my heart goes out to you knowing that you have to go through this awful condition for a second time... I saw massage guy yesterday and he is convinced my FS is a result of pushing wheelchairs.. There is probably some truth in this but yes I'm also convinced it is stress/hormone related myself.. I've had concerns about going on HRT as have heard some horror stories ( but I'm sure that's probably the minority)?

      I'm Also 6 months in and feeling awful.. I had a few really positive days about 10 days ago where I thought I'm in the "frozen" stage and I'm on the mend; however I appear to have had a set back where the last week has been agony again with waking every couple of hours throughout the night. I'm also having twinges in my left arm so I have that in the back of my mind but I'm trying to convince myself it's just due to overuse/ compensating ..

      I wish you all the best Boo , let me know how HRT goes .

      Take care

      Cindy x

    • cindy_45475
      cindy_45475 maria58274

      Posted

      Hi Maria

      I will give the new guidelines a read about HRT, I think i may be at that stage where I need a boost of something. Yes you are right, my doctor dismissed the hormone connection and stress connection but when I what caused it then he said ive obviously injured myself and just laidened me with lots of pain relief 😳. Good luck Maria x

    • maria58274
      maria58274 cindy_45475

      Posted

      Hi Cindy

      Google for "NICE HRT guidelines"  - these were updated late last year.  They have re-examined old studies and realised that the risks are actually pretty small and often out-weighed by the benefits for many women.  I doubt any doctor would prescribe HRT for a frozen shoulder but if you are having other symptoms - hot flushes, night sweats, etc, they should be sympathertic.  I'm on estrogen only patches (as I had a hysterectomy years ago) and have nothing bad to say about it.

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