Menopausal Frozen Shoulder

Hi Lesley, just being reading looking for info on muscle/joint pain. I am 50 have Benn going through peri for at least 2 years periods have been long and far apart. But 2 weeks ago I started with shoulder pain, now my body aches from tip to toe I struggle to get out of bed and off the sofa I am very active normally and have a fast paced job, I am on 2 days sick as we speak as I can,t function at work, am on citalpram for flushes and mood swings I have been offered hrt but am dubious on taking it. I want to let my body go through this as naturally as I can but I am struggling at the moment I came home from work on Tuesday night in such pain all over its awful. Just wanted to thankyou for this post thought it was all in my head to know other people are going through the same thing helps a little. It has affected me with the sudden impact of the joint/muscle pain. I am having bloods done on Tuesday to rule out other things but after reading this post it sounds like it's all part of the course. 

Hi Lesley,

I am suffering with my shoulder at the moment.I saw an osteopath and she thought it may be tendinitis. I am nearly 53 and everything has started to ache or pain me. My shoulder is more painful now,  the slightest jolt causes a click and pain followed by an ache that goes down my arm and my fingers feel a bit numb too. Also,restricted movement. Washing under my arms is hard, pegging out washing etc.  I am having a scan this week to try to determine what is happening. 

I wake a few times in the night with the pain and have to move off my good shoulder to my back. The other shoulder sometimes hurts too and my hips ache in bed too but not all the time. I had tennis elbow in both arms 3 years ago and they sometimes play up as well. Neck and back have been a problem from last September but they have stopped and the shoulder started. 

I am am going on holiday next week and I am hoping it may help. When I come back I will have the results from my shoulder and will see the doctor again. 

I know there are different types of HRT. I think I will definitely try something. I can't believe that all these aches and pains are arthritis. They are all coming thick and fast. I worry what is happening to my bones. After hearing of your experience I will make sure the doctor takes me serious as I can't go on like this. It's good to know that there is something out there that can help as the thought of being on painkillers indefinitely doesn't thrill me. 

Dawn

Hi Lesley998,

New here, but had to share my menopausal story with you. Over a period of 6 months it grew harder to sleep due to pain in my left shoulder. I got better every night at propping a pillow just so while sleeping on my right side so that my arm was supported 'just so' or OW! Excuciating pain!!! It grew worse. The last straw was laying flat on my back crying at 50 because the pain in my shoulder radiated to the side and back of my shoulder and down my arm. I went to see an orthopedic doctor who asked me to raise my arm. Ha! I could barely lift it forward above chest height.

Fast forward. She told me: Do two things, you're not going to like it, but do it anyway: 1. Pretend you are bowling HARD. Throw your arm forward up and then back and down and around, and forward in a loop (pretend to let go of the bowling ball then 2. Bring your hand up and scratch the front of your shoulder. (I've grown to like the sound of popping and crackling because it means movement!)

I was really skeptical. I was told it would take a long time, weeks and many visits, maybe surgery. I was determined that the scar tissue wouldn't stay attached. I tried (and cried) repeatedly to rotate my arm up and around. (Omg it hurt). I took ibuprufen, then realized I was stuck up near the top. I just couldn't get that arm up and over. I tried something that worked. I used the wet tile shower wall to help get that arm up and over. I gotta warn you this is not for the timid. I hate the idea of surgery.

Stand near the wall with your frozen shoulder towards that wall. Throw your arm up gently and press against the wall. The slick surface will help propel your arm up and over. You won't be as close to the wall as you started because your body will resist the pain. Don't forget to follow through by scratching the front of that shoulder. It has to be said: rinse. repeat. Sorry.

I know this sounds bad, but it worked. I kept up this shower routine and followed it up with a fat ice pack. I took ibuprufen. In a few days (yes, days) I was able to sleep each night after that. The pain decreased more as I did the bowling ball rotations wherever I was. People will look at you funny. But, truly, realize you are imprisoned in your own body and you might be able to fix it if you try, without surgery. Run this by your doctor first to make sure you aren't going to damage something because your shoulder injury is not treatable by this home physical therapy method.

I'm not saying I'm a professional. I'm not saying I'm all better. That was a year ago and sometimes I rotate my arm when I feel it getting stiff again. I don't know what I'm doing wrong to make it get stiff again, but I went through menopause at the same time my shoulder problem occured.

Good luck. Don't give up. Ice is your friend! I hope you can get your shoulder unstuck, too, everyone out there.

Christine

Lesley, this is an old post of yours; but I feel I could have written what you have.  My ortho says surgery "could" fix my FS; but I feel more and more I need to get some estrogen in my system.  My last blood work said I was nearly void of estrogen.  FS started almost five months ago.  Sleeping is out of the question, depression is getting worse with this 24/7 pain for so long.  I think I'd rather try estrogen than surgery.

Hi Lesley,

I am following your posts etc with interest...accidently stumbled across this morning having returned from seeing my Physiotherapist. 

I was diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder 6 months ago (the pain,stiffness actually started 9 months ago). I am 53 years of age and menopausal.

My therapist did say that she believes why my FS has started.

Initially I coped with it for the 1st 12 weeks thinking I had just strained it, but then it got to the point I could not lift my arm an inch, could not wash....and suffering extreme pain.

I have tried all the inflammatory's/pain killers with no affect - Nights are the worse?

I am now being referred to have injections and possible MUA procedure...and I can tell you not looking forward to the last.

Physio has made movement improvements; I can actually dress myself now!

Washing under arms is still a no go; unless I hang on to the sink and knee down!

I am now thinking about maybe discussing HRT with my doctor..I would really like to avoid the MUA procedure

Kind regards

Tracey

Hi Lesley998 I know this post is over a year of age and am hoping you still see new comments, I have read your post and am a bit concerned with my current condition being almost simialar to what you state. I had been on HRT since 2000 and recently my PCP partner said I need to get off of the HR meds due to other reasons she said.

She decreased my dosage by half and I did take for a bit like that, but I took her concerns with great respect and stopped my thereapy altogether 3 +/- months now. Since then I have had an onset of severe arthritis set up in both my shoulds which now they are saying they will have to surgically removed. I'm in so much shoulder pain it hurts to raise my arms, brush my teeth, hair, just anything to do with moving them more then the comfortzone.

Could this all be related to this form of condition or does anyone else here have that answer? After reading this post I'm going to start my HRT back up and I never gave up on getting my monthly scrips filled. My next concern is how will I know if I sholud go back to the original dosing of full strength or continue with the new dosage she knocked me down to?

I will be seeing my reg PCP in a week or so and I will certainly discuse this matter with him as he is the only one other then myself that knows my body better than anyone else does.What do you think, be inerested in hearing anyones opinion and or comments. Thanks 

Hi Lesely,

So glad to find your post. I got up one morning to excruciating pain in my back, had difficulty going downstairs. In complete panic that my back was going to seize up completely.

Anyway got help, lots of muscle rub on, took painkillers and gradually eased off. Next thing I know my neck is stiff and sore, so I'm thinking spondylitis (have had neck problems in past, herded my neck in sleep as teen and also mid 30''s a bit of whiplash). So again lots of muscle rub, pain killers and eased off a little.

Few days later about to start work (I have a repeatative job on checkouts in supermarket where most of our chairs are broken or unsuitable without wheels or proper support), whole right shoulder stiffens up, painful joint, arm especially around armpit and neck muscles tight. Couldnt use that arm at all and had to try hold it across front of my chest as if in sling.

Been on holiday from work for last 2 weeks thank goodness so been resting but also doing exercises for frozen shoulder so has slackened off a little but dreading return to work. Noticed recently finger joints getting painful and old knee joint and foot/ ankle problems been worse recently.

Menopause started around early 50''s and feeling effects of low estrogen, collagen levels down had 2 pelvic floor repairs and having problems with scar tissue. On topical estrogen to aid scar tissue so can see how lack of estrogen can cause problems with connective tissues in joints.

Scared to take full HRT, but watched an interesting program on BBC Thursday evening and they reckon the cancer scare was not as risky ax originally thought.

I don't have as much pain or stiffness as other ladies seem to have had but worried that thus could develop further and become more painful or if I'm just lucky and managing to keep it mobile enough. Anyway this us giving me terrible headaches too.

Notice mist of these post over a year ago was wondering how you have all got along since.

Appreciate a reply,

Phyl x?

now that you have mentioned that, this is probably why my shoulder is going through all this stuff.  I am 60 yrs old and lord knows it hurts. I had rotator cuff surgery then I blood clots because of the surgery and in November I had frozen shoulder surgery.  My shoulder is still frozen.