FS 19 months on
Posted , 3 users are following.
I was diagnosed with FS 19 months ago and am delighted to report I'm very nearly back to normal. My only treatment was 6 sessions physio. 4 on the BUS and 4 I paid for. I only took painkillers when I absolutely could not stand the pain, which fir the first 5 months was regularly. I was offered stronger pills (Tramadol) but declined them and decided to take matters into my own hands. I joined a gym, took up Pilates and swimming.
Luckily for me, the instructor had the same problem (Not luckily for her though), so she understood my limitations. I'm sure She even tailored some of her classes to help us both!
Whilst she opted for cortisone injections and an operation I continued with Pilates, swimming and the gym.
We've both recovered at a similar rate, although I was 3 months into FS when she developed it. I'm happy I took the route I did and am now pain free, with only a little restriction in movement, but am hoping this will continue to improve.
I'm writing this to give hope to you all. There is an end to this debilitating condition and having it, made me seek out my own plan of recover. I found Pilates, which I love and which has made me stronger and more interested in fitness. Which can only be good!
So, whatever path you choose to recovery, in those dark hours of pain and despair- keep strong and keep moving and know that you will heal in time.
4 likes, 4 replies
melissa48549 maz57970
Posted
So glad you are doing better! I am doing much better here at 15 months into frozen shoulder- some occasional soreness and still some very minor restriction of range of motion- but on the whole, world's better. I have been receiving PT every 3 weeks throughout the whole time, and swimming when the weather permits. When my pain was at its worse, I applied cold packs and hot packs , and made generous use of castor oil with heat. It was a long, painful and surreal descent into freezing ;and a slow period of thawing and very incrementally regaining use of my dominant arm. What a relief, 'eh?
brent28997 maz57970
Posted
OK, I'm curious. How do you swim with frozen shoulder? I can barely swim when I have my arms.
I have declined my brothers invitations to drift fish the river because, with 2 frozen shoulders I would drown if something happened.
maz57970 brent28997
Posted
Hi Brent
I didn't start swimming until just over 3 months in to FS and then it was only a very gentle breast stroke, with some physio exercises inbetween, that I'd learned from my physio sessions.
I could barely swim in the first place, so my progress was slow, but I could see progress. The water supported my arm and I didn't push through the pain but stopped when my arm had had enough. I think the endorphins acted as a natural pain killer and i felt a sense of achievement that I was actually doing something other than sitting around feeling depressed. I felt good afterwards because I was improving my swimming and doing something positive. I went from barely able to swim a length to doing 20 lengths in a matter of months.
Good luck with your recovery.
melissa48549 maz57970
Posted
Yes, I was seven months into the FS, when I started getting into 68 degree, fresh spring water. The cold water helped numb the pain and reduce inflammation. Initially, I could not do the crawl or the side stroke, or anything but an upright treading movement. Very gradually over about six months, I was able to do more and more. It helped so with regaining mobility, strength and coordination of the shoulder joint and all of its muscles. Can't wait until weather is warm enough to return this May to the spring waters.