FROZEN SHOULDER SHOULD I BE OFF WORK

Hi

THat seems like a pretty good description of the accepted progress of frozen shoulder to me. I'm sure the professionals would agree that their approach to it is a bit hit and miss and the sufferer is probably more aware of what works and what doesn't. I've had it 3 times , so I know the main issue is toleration during the first 2/3 months. Knowing that it will ease down is a big help during this period....Whereas not knowing can lead to a desire for surgical or epidural intervention. I think the professionals think they don't look very professional if they suggest 'Just wait and see' so they compensate with therapy suggestions to distract the patient. What is in short supply is advice on managing the frozen shoulder at home and at work during the worst periods, without the assumption that serious intervention may be required.

gerry

Hi I am so glad I found this thread. I have just been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder in my dominant arm. It started about 2 or 3 months ago after jarring my arm in a coat sleeve! The pain has been excruciating on sudden movement, like pulling the car door shut! I had just landed a job after a five month period of being out of work and had to gave it up on my taster day as I could not lift stock boxes and shelf fill, this was the main part of the job. I am now back to job searching and have no idea what I am capable of doing or when my arm will be back to normal. I am having severe problems with dressing, washing and combing my hair. Housework has taken a real knock and the garden is covered in weeds because I just can't pull or dig them out. Sleeping is impossible, unless I sleep sat upright and that is in itself an uncomfortable position to sleep in all night. I have had a cortisone jab, which lasted all of 3 days! I was referred to a physio who gave me a sheet of exercises and has referred me back to the Doc as the freezing is continuing and my movement is so limited already. He has said that the Doc might either, refer me for a surgical procedure, refer me for a scan, or do nothing at all. I have not read of anybody who has had a surgical procedure, does it work? I was told that frozen shoulder can only happen once per arm, but have read here that somebody has had it 3 times! I am going to try swimming (I can't swim, but will try moving my arm in water ) I am finding this condition to be miserable, painful, depressing and debilitating and I wish there was an instant cure. I desperately need to find a job but am wondering who will take me on with this condition, and what can I physically do when I cannot even wash and dress myself without extreme difficulty and pain. I keep being told there is light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel seems to be endless when I am only a short way into it.. I have read about a tens machine, how do I use that please?, how long for, where do I position it and where can I get one? Is there different degrees of this condition? It seems as though some people can work with it and get over it within months and others can do nothing and have many months off work, and suffer for a much longer period of time.

Hi there was interested to see all the posts re frozen shoulder , a good physiotherapist and osteopath should be able to clear frozen shoulder , you need good hands on physio and manipulation , sheets of exercises do not work , you need to have treatment from someone who knows what they are doing ,find a good physio an osteopath sorry the nhs was no help to me at all , had to go privately , but it worked ,good luck

Helen

Hi All

This is the second time I have had frozen shoulder.The first time was four years ago in my left arm, I now have it in my right arm which is much worse as work on a key board and am forced into using it at work all the time. My experiences are very similar to everyone elses ie the excruciating pain If I knock my arm, the

constant ache in my shoulder,shooting pains in my arm and neck. The worst thing is the fact that doctors seem to know very little about the condition and offer anti inflammation drugs or cortizone injection which do nothing to help. I have tried acupuncture but this actually seemed to make it worse for twenty four hours afterwards so stopped.

The only things that makes the pain bearable are pain killers - walking around rather than staying in one position - hot baths and sometimes a hot water bottle .As for sleeping it is more or less impossible for more than half an hour at a time but it helps if I tuck a pillow under my arm and sleep on the good side or sleep on my back with my arm elevated by a pillow.

I really feel for anyone who has suffered this condition - not only is it painful and depressing but you get little sympathy from others because there is no outward sign of damage.

Lack of sleep sends you cranky and the debilitating pain causes serious sense of humour failure - I feel really miserable most of the time and hardly able to work yet I am loathe to take time off sick due to the unsympathetic attitude of my employer towards illness.

The only thing that keeps me going is that I know it improves with time as I have had it before and it followsa prescribed patter before it gets better. Also I have been referred to a specialist by my GP which didn't happen last time so maybe there is something that can be done.....

Lynda

I can't help thinking that the first thing that needs to be done is to ditch the term 'Frozen Shoulder'. It gives the impression of a 'bit of a stiff shoulder' and no impression at all of pain and disablement. "Frozen Shoulder' doesn't in anyway transmit to work colleagues, managers, neighbours, friends and acquaintances the suicidal agony suffered as a result of this truly hellish condition. Were it merely frozen it would be bearable - people learn to cope with one arm - indeed, I have become adept at transferring my dominancy from right to left - it is the agony, the searing pain, the inability to sleep and the sheer torture of this condition that goes unrecognised. Many are the nights I have sat up sobbing in torment, drugged with every available medicine, plotting the least messy way of ending my wretchedness. Calling this purgatory 'Frozen Shoulder' is like telling someone with an open fracture that they have a 'prominent bone'. We don't want to go round saying we have adhesive capsulitis, but I think we could come up with something more accurate than 'frozen shoulder'. Any suggestions?

My suggestion, Agonising dysfunctional shoulder syndrome!

I am so pleased I found this site and this thread about Frozen Shoulder which I've been diagnosed with today. How depressing that this is going to go on for around another year. I had physio and acupuncture for five months until about six weeks ago when my physio and I finally realised that my problem wasn't improving and I needed something else as well. She expected an MRI to reveal wear and tear to discs in my neck (cervical spine), but my GP made a referral to a rheumatologist who I finally saw today after a wait of four weeks.

I've not had physio for the last month whilst I've been waiting to see the rheumy and my mobility has significantly reduced. Now I'm having problems getting in and out of the bath, getting dressed, washing my hair, drying my hair. Its my left arm and I'm left handed. I can't bear not being able to garden which is my favourite leisure activity. Getting into fifth gear is painful when driving and I have four pillows in bed now. One to stop me from lying on my left side which was always my preferred side and one to prop my left arm up so I can lie on my right. It takes ages to get comfortable and the worst bit is when I wake up and automatically stretch which kills my arm... I've been trying to not do this, but its hard to retrain myself.

Reading the responses on this thread lends weight to my suspicions that sometimes the physio work made the problem worse - sometimes it was quite intense trigger point work and I would ache quite badly 24 hours later, although then after that for several days I would be virtually pain free. The rheumy doesn't advocate physio and has given me a cortisone shot today but he doesn't think it will work :-(

I'm confused about physio - because I've read that you still need to keep the mobility going and I'm thinking that if I have physio for this that would be a good thing. However, if the consultant doesn't recommend it I'll probably have to fund it myself. At least the physio will now know how to work around the condition now that we know what's wrong.

I guess the main positive thing that I can take from today is I can take some faith that my "demonic shoulder" will eventually get better.

I am a dog groomer, and was finally diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder over a month after first experiencing symptoms. My FS was a result of a large dog causing me to throw my left arm behind me swiftly and intensely. I have bad days and really bad days but have been working while suffering this condition which is anything but easy. In my line of work, though not my dominant, I use my left arm constantly; to hold a dog up, lift, reposition, etc. Those sudden mismovements which cause searing, agonizing pain are so severe my coworkers stare at me helplessly stupefied. One day it happened three times in a row which left me angry, tearful, and ready to throw in the towel. I have had a cortisone shot with no results, physical therapy which, during the stretching, felt like I must be a war criminal being tortured for information, and exercising at home. I have a percussion massager, TENS machine, and an electric as well as a rice heating pad. This is a very depressing, painful, debilitating condition. Maybe I'll try swimming as several people on here sound positive about that method. Here's to hoping we all recover quickly and NEVER experience this horror again.

hi Dawlea , sorry you have had so much pain , where have you gone for physio ? , you may need to go privately to find soneone who knows how to treat the condition , also have you tried accupuncture , dont give up , you can get cured from this , it takes time and patience , hang in there , swimming is excellent , just be very gentle , or you will be back to square one ! If you can get in a hot tub that will help as well

Thanks,Helen. I am trying to be positive. I went to Star Therapy, but they are very aggressive. Actually my doctor ordered the aggressive therapy. I thought my pain was lessening but I have been experiencing horrible sharp pains in my shoulder the past two days. I will try some ice and hope it goes away. I don't knw how I will work tomorrow.

Hi Dawlea , sorry its hurting it will to be quite honest , a good physio will not pussy foot about , so you will have to grin and bear it , take some pain killers , use ice packs and heat packs , keep it moving , gently and you should start to see some improvement , check out kineisiology taping , you amy have seen this on the tv ,the olypic athletes have been covered in it , check out wikipedia , and go on line to find kiniesio uk , they sell it , it may, be an avenue to explore . Some gentle massage will help to , dog oil or arnica is especially good , get your partner if you have one to do this for you or a good pal , i would do it for you if you were here , it will improve my friend , let me know how you get on , lots of good healthy food , plenty of water , a nice walk , and plenty, of rest , get some sunshine too

Best wishes

Helen