Menopausal Frozen Shoulder

Well this is very interesting over a year go I started aching all over and lost coordination in both arms that came back but was left with really bad pain in arms right one worse with limited movement cannot put arms backwards or above head. And awful painful at night cannot put pressure on them . Have been to neurologist and rymotolologist who have put own to chronic pain canot find underlying cause bit of a joke really as is so painful awaiting a second option in mean time still suffering all bloods have came back normal as well I wonder if hormone levels would have showed up in there tests

The comments on this page are SO familiar. I came down with double frozen shoulder a year ago. It slowly started with sore elbows, then lots of aches and pains until about November when my arms completely shut down and the pain was unbearable. I had to sleep on my own, on my back, holding my hands together so I didn't touch anything while sleeping. Without help I wasn't able to dress and spent quite a lot of time walking around in a nightie all day. I had been to the Doctor, had x rays and they said I had Cervical Spondylosis. Which would account for the intense flashes of jarring pain. I asked if HRT would help and they looked at me as if I was mad. I have since learned a lot of people over forty have some Cervical Spondylosis, in mild form it's part of general wear and tear.

I then went to the A and E one night when the pain was unbearable. I had seen three doctors at my GP's and so far no one had offered me pain relief or actually examined me. The doctor at the hospital examined me thoroughly and took xrays, he said I had cervical ribs, and would send the xrays through to my GP, which he didn't. My GP never got a report. By now it was January, I was looking up my symptoms on the internet, worrying I had ME, MS or something very serious. Then I found a US website, put my symptoms in and it said I probably had Frozen Shoulder.

I had put on over a stone in weight, the muscles in my arms had turned to jelly because I wasn't moving them. A friend recommended an Osteopath, who I rang and he saw me the same afternoon. Within five minutes he had diagnosed Double Frozen shoulder. He said the treatment would be very painful, which it was. The second time, on the way home, I cried in the car and said, I couldn't carry on. But I am glad I did. The GP was worse than useless, referring me to a Orthopaedic specialist, who still hadn't picked it up and then at last this MAY, I saw a Rhuematologist who diagnosed Bilateral Adhesive Capsulitis (Double Frozen Shoulder). Thankfully, I had been getting private treatment with the Osteo, if I had left it to the GP's I would have been so frozen, I doubt any treatment the Doc's gave me would have helped and I would have been like it for at least a year or two.

The funny thing is, the Osteopath only worked on my left arm, which was the least painful, but both my arms started to get better. It seemed to be tricking my brain. Last month he started on my right arm and straightaway he could lift it all the way over my head. I went home ecstatically happy as I had been dreading starting on the right arm, which had been the worse of the two originally. and that afternoon, managed to put a normal bra on not a pull on one. For ladies with FS you will know what that means. Hooray.

I am so glad that you have linked it with the menopause because it just seemed so likely considering it is more common in women of peri/menopausal age. I always thought Frozen Shoulder was a stiff shoulder for a few days. How wrong I was, it is a crippling illness, I couldn't even hold a knife and fork to my mouth to eat. Thankfully, temporary, even if for a few years. I have since lost two stone and the osteopath, who has been brilliant (while listening to my swearing, while he worked on my arms) has said I'm over the worst of it now and can cut my treatment down to once a fortnight/three weeks. I will be going to my female GP with a copy of your posting about HRT and FS/menopause. Hopefully it will sink in.

Hi Margot

That's interesting, I haven't tried an Osteopath . I've had Ache puncture, physio every week plus execerise, steroid injections. Weight gain- oh boy yes! I'm seeing the weight management at the doctors next because I refuse to go back to slimming world. I think the NHS had failed women of a certain age and there are lts in the world. Because these horrible things happen to you and you don't know why. But if you have hot flushes, that's ok they can deal with it. But FS they can't get their heads round it and its down to you to do the research.

HRT tricked my brain and really helped.

It's a long hard slog, but good luck to you.

Cheers

Sharon

Sorry typo error, should read.

lots in this world

The treatment was very painful as they usually put you out to manipulate the shoulder capsule, but slowly over the first few weeks, he was able to judge how far to move my arm by the amount of pain I was in. Within 4 treatments I felt much better. People were actually saying how well I looked and the pained expression on my face had gone. If anyone is in Essex or London, I would be happy to let you know the osteopaths details. I totally agree with you about the GP's letting women of a certain age down.

Lesley,

My husband just brought this to my attention about perimenopause and joints! I wish I had seen this way before yesterday. I just had surgery for tendonitis in my elbow that I have tried everything on for 3 years and a ulnar nerve entrapment along with cyst in my wrist. Not to mention PT for my shoulder! I am 45 and have been perimenopausal for a few years now. My gyno told me I couldn't be perimeno yet but I know better. Like you said in an earlier post "AC is running my life". This blog has made me feel better because I thought it was all in my head. I have recently started having joint pain in my other shoulder along with my knees and ankles. Now to find a Dr who understands this!!!

Hi!

Im 56.5 years old...menopaused 53.5...have the shoulder/neck thing too.....occassionally my knees feel achey..light burn...and my hip occassionally. Took forever to get my GP to do anything...I got her to run some autoimmune tests..My CRP is elevated a bit...my ANA is positive.../.and my thyroid been whacky since i was 41...I finally was sent to a rhumetologist by an orthopedic surgeon...he saw me about 15 minutes ,and told me i have lupus! He never asked me about menopause at all...I too think stuff is caused by lack of estrogen...Just before i saw the rhumey Dr., i had bought a bottle of black cohosh for the estrogen, dont wanna do HRT. Cant use the estrogen herb now, cause its not good with lupus or its meds....Im still not sure about the lupus diagnoses..i have no rashes.

Hi Deeme, Just seen your post. I too had checks for Lupus because my mum has it, she doesn't have rashes either,it can show different symptoms in different people. That's what I thought I had, I also had a raised mound under my neck which is a symptom of Thyroid problems. I had it checked and it was ok. But then after seeing osteopath, realised that the inflamation and swelling at the base of my neck is where muscles connect. So stress/problems related to your shoulders/arms can present a raised pad similar to the beginnings of a goiter.

I was even thinking too much computer time...so i try and not use it too much.( my desk and chair set up not the best..)

I just happened across this post and I'm ecstatic! Not because you are all in pain but because I'm NOT alone in this.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and degenerative disk 4 years ago and with the help of (sevella) was living an ok functioning lifestyle.

In June of this Year my Right arm just froze up on me...I thought i had muscle pain from painting a room but just kept on going..one day i could not put my deodorant on :-OI went to my Pheum Dr. and started PT...i stuck it out for 2 months (more pain than one person should have to deal with)..when those two months my left shoulder froze up as well.....i quit last week!!!

I can relate to so many of the post .....can't wash or dry hair...shave, dress...putting on a bra has been my most challenging for dressing. Sleeping has become quite a challenge as well, as i can ONLY sleep on my back in one position! I wake up every few hours with muscle pain and spasms in my arms. Wiping the bum...hahaha...i can relate...it amazes me how much i took for granted..heck, i have to get OUT of med to shut of the lamp on my nightstand..lol

My rheum doctor has told me for two years that she believes i have Spondalitis in my neck and spine..but has not diagnosed me with such. Now i will be researching this HRT..heck i think i'll go to the store and buy some cream if i can find it.....I have been dealing with pain for years..now even more pain and worse then anything else I'm losing my independence!!!I'll try ANYTHING!

Thanks for letting me tell, just a portion, of my story here and thanks for all the lengthy research that others are putting forth in this.... i will look in each and every one of them!

Thanks,

Debbie

Ps...anyone have issues with not being able to Buckle their seat belts??? It's law here to buckle up but it is just about impossible!

Hi Debbie,

Mine as now been down graded to secondary frozen which is getting better through exercises from physio.

But I've been told by her the tendon has to be reattached, which is a good year out of my life.

So everything you are going through, I along with many others we feel your pain and it will get better.

Just keep pushing for help and answers.

As far as the seat belt is concerned, I'd get offical help with that. Or it you are with somebody when driving get them to buckle you up. I used my left good arm to always buckle until the right one got better,

Hope this helps

Take care

Sharon

I don't really know where I am posting but I had frozen shoulder 3 yrs ago when I was only 39. It started out in my left shoulder and very slowly got worse and worse until I couldn't do anything with my left arm. It took several months of Ibuprofen and not being able to sleep because of pain going from my shoulder to my wrist and typically at night when I was laying still asleep it would wake me. Eventually, after it went away it was approximately six months later that my right shoulder started to ache one morning but by that evening was stiff as a board. I spent the weekend in bed crying from the pain and not being able to get a moment of relief. I saw the doctor Monday and he gave me a steroid pack (don't like needles) and within 2 days I was feeling much better and seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Well today the familiar pain has started in my right shoulder and I know by tomorrow I will be in agony. I don't want to take another round of steroids if that is not the right solution but will for a temporary fix. I have read some of the posts but not time for all right now. Question: who should I see that will give me the right solution if it is hormone related? Crying inside already...

Hi Lesley,

Is the thesis of the Nurse Practitioner you mentioned publicly available ?

I live in the Netherlands and doctors here are ignorant of the menopausal frozen shoulder issue.

My doughter is 48 and has been suffering from a FS for almost a year now. She has been treated with injectios without success and a month ago the orthopaedic surgeon manipulated her shoulder under full anaesthetic. Now she can, with the help of her other arm, move her arm above her head but she still can't sleep from the pain in spite of the strongest painkillers here available.

On top of it she has also pain in her finger joints and the other shoulder seems to start freezing as well.

Her condition looks very much the same as what you and others on this forum described so it would be nice if we could have some scientific evidence to convince her doctor to put her on HRT for some time.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Cheers Dirk

i think HRT has its disadvantages that should be considered .After a period of time taking hormones , ones body may enhances carcinogenic substances that lead to cancer breast ,cervix or any other cancer.Therefore,hormonal therapy should be advised for only women in desperate need to overcome menopausal symptom

Hi, my name is Judith, someboy was wondering if hip adhesive capsulitis exist,? I had a fall Aug 2012, turn in to a frozen hip. After a couple of X rays, CT scans, bone scans an MRI in May of this year (they couldn't inject the contrast because of the freezing around my hip (scar tissue)). I decided to have another MRI last month October 2013, this time seems like the scar tissue is softening since they were able to inject the contrast in my joint to perform the MRI arthrogram.

I'm suffering a terrible pain, not exterior rotation, can't lift my leg to my chest, etc.. terrible pain all day long but specially at night. You suffer a lot of pain with frozen shoulde I'm in agony when I try to put my leg in the floor to walk, is hard for people to understand the reality of your pain. I had problems at my work already because of it. I do supplement demos at some Health food stores. My self esteem is underground. My all family suffer since we can't do all the things we just to do before. Love hiking, terrible for me not able to see my favourite landscapes.

I did accupuncture, chiropractor, homeopathic treatment and physiotherapy (didn't help at all, just give me more pain then I already had.)

I heard about neural therapy, wondering if anyone heard about it?, because basically suppose to help to remove the scar tissue and pain around the joints.

I'm talking naproxen in ocasional basis, curcumin and serrapaptase in a daily basis and serrapaptase seems to help in the middle of the night, nothing takes my pain away completely, but I take anything around me to diminish this pain.

Sorry for my writting since english is not my first language.

All the best for all of you that are sufering this terrible condition of Frozen Shoulde I just wanted to clarify that Frozen Hip it does exist, unfortunately is not very comun and like everyone here mention, doctors sometimes are not aware of this problem and they misdiagnose it with ostheoarthritis or something else. If somebody is suffering from frozen hip I would love to heard about it.

Thanks a lot and all the best to all.