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MRI

Posted , 9 users are following.

melanie_55366
melanie_55366

Not sure if I sound really thick asking this, but after my recent experiences with "health care" professionals, and realising they don't seem to understand enough about this, I will ask you. What, if anything will/can be seen on a scan? Is there actually something they can see? I appreciate some have tears and things like that, but what if it's not that? What does a frozen shoulder look like on a scan?

0 likes, 32 replies

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  • kerri77889
    kerri77889 melanie_55366

    Posted

    It is my belief that a doctor or specialist can diagnose Frozen Shoulder by the symptoms alone......however, X-rays, MRI or Ultra Sound is used to confirm or discount rotator cuff tears, Arthritis, inflamed Bursa or adhesions. That is my understanding 😀

     

  • Debbie1212
    Debbie1212 melanie_55366

    Posted

    I had to have an x ray to make sure there wasnt any tears or rips to the rotator cuff before i had an steroid injection, although the doctor and specialist were both certain it was a FS they just needed to make sure.

    No idea what a FS actually looks like though.  Mind you i would like eveyone at work to know what it feels like!! lol

    • kerri77889
      kerri77889 Debbie1212

      Posted

      Oh I would like everyone that thinks we are moaning about nothing to feel it....that's FOR SURE!!!

      Mine was being treated as a FS but I complained to my doc it was getting worse and I was struggling with the 24/7 pain she sent me to a specialist who did an ultra sound and found a 9 mm tear in rotator cuff.....OWIE!!!!

    • Debbie1212
      Debbie1212 kerri77889

      Posted

      There is someone at work whose Mom has a FS and shes had it for 8 months and just gets on with it, doesnt moan, still does everything and goes to the gym!  Im sorry but HOW does she get on with it, oh yes, her husband dresses and undresses her and her family help her do other things.  So in fact she doesnt 'just get on with it' her family do it for her.  And he was telling me its not that bad.  Great eh! Thanks makes me feel very small and stupid.  Grrrr.   Ok Lets all send 'bad energy his way' ha ha.   I do believe in Karma.....   Sorry that sounds like im nasty but its the way he dismisses the pain.  :-(
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 Debbie1212

      Posted

      Well I know what I would have said to him. A lot worse than bad energy!!! People really annoy me, when they have no bloody idea what they're talking about, and then pass judgement!
    • Debbie1212
      Debbie1212 melanie_55366

      Posted

      I know. Annoys me too! Im about to go back to the gym....but can only do cycle or treadmill. But thats only as long as i can ger a sports bra on! Nlol xx
    • kerri77889
      kerri77889 Debbie1212

      Posted

      Woopty doo dah for her......clearly she dosnt have frozen shoulder as we all know you can't just get on with it. 

      Dont let people like that make you feel small and stupid Deb.....

      We all know how painful and debilitating it is......

      i would say that woman dosnt let on to her son just how bad it is because of his uncaring manner of.......just get on with it.....

      sending him "bad energy" all the way from Australia 

    • Debbie1212
      Debbie1212 kerri77889

      Posted

      Thx Kerri and Mel. Phew i really am struggling with the pain at the moment..x. But at least you guys know how im feeling and the pain i have is real. Ok ive taken codeine now so may start jibbering! Lol x. Night all.and thanks again. X
  • candace513
    candace513 melanie_55366

    Posted

    Like you I kept waiting for them to say they saw something on a scan or MRI but they never did. it seems to be something they diagnosed by process of elimination. My doctor started out thinking it was bursitis then a torn muscle. By the time I was sent to anyone who knew anything I was locked up solid and it was too late for anything to help. I am now 15 months into this with many more left to go I cannot afford the surgery nor do I hear that good of reports about it so I am just sitting it out. I have regained some use of my arm enough at least to be able to drive again and since I'm retired I can just sit and live with the rest of it I guess. It is a miserable condition and not one that has been given any amount of investigation by the medical profession. I have given up doctors all together because of this they are useless.
    • alison44235
      alison44235 candace513

      Posted

      Ditto I am sick of the medical profession.. I had a fall3 months ago  and have not had a scan to rule out a rotator cuff tear which they said it could be to start with now they say it is a frozen shoulder, which after 2 lots of physio has got a lot worse. I went to my doctors again today told him I have been offered aqu puncture Which I have read will not improve things so no point in it he says he would go ahead even though there are risks. I could have an injection which he said he would have even though it won't solve the problem I think I should have a second opinion he said there was not point so I felt like saying well what is the point of anything.

      He did say it will get better in 6 months, but you are proof and a lots of others are proof that this is not always the case.

      I am well and truly stuck and of course so is my shoulder. It does not help having M.E. as well.

    • candace513
      candace513 alison44235

      Posted

      Yes,I spent months reading up on everything I could find on this online after being struck with it. I have read it can last on average up to two and a half years, and that once you have had it in one shoulder it's much easier to get it in the second shoulder Now that my other arm gives me grief once in awhile I live in a constant state of panic. I have no one near me here who can help me through this so I'm planning to move back to my home state to be near family in case I have any further trouble. What a sad way to enjoy your retirement years.. You can't tell me that if research had been done this problem could be solved for those of us suffering with it in a timely manner.
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 candace513

      Posted

      I think that's part of my fear. That they don't see anything and no one believes me, and I'm stuck like this!!! I can't cope with it!!

      You say you're 15 months into it, is the pain the same? What do you take?

      The doctors are unbelievablely ignorant to this condition. unfortunately I can not afford private health care either. We are really struggling with me not working now.

      At least we can all talk to each other on here!!x

    • candace513
      candace513 melanie_55366

      Posted

      You might also want to invest in what they call a TENS unit. I got one on Amazon for $70 but I know you can find them even cheaper. it has really helped me a lot when times are the worst. there are so many different settings to use depending on how much pain you're experiencing that particular day. when mine was at its worst I just switched between a very hot heating pad and ice packs. During the initial stage when it was the most unbearable they prescribed me percocet but I only took a couple and I just didn't like them so I went without pain meds.When this first happened and my arm was totally locked up at my side I thought my life was over. My family was totally unresponsive to me and of very little help. Luckily I am retired so I could just sit in my recliner and exist. I know it feels now like it's never going to be better but over time it does get better. I now have some front movement of my arm and am at least able to drive again. It sounds mean to say but I wish this would happen to some famous doctor. Then I bet some research would get done on this. But of course treatment would still only be available to the rich or those with good health insurance.
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 candace513

      Posted

      Yes I've heard some people benefit from a tens machine. I'm sorry you don't have any caring family. I'm lucky I have my children. No other family though. I do understand.

      How long did the initial stage last for you?

      I do so agree and wish this would be recognised and taught to all doctors, so people are not literally left suffering, as most of us have. Don't be alone though. We are always here.x

    • Debbie1212
      Debbie1212 melanie_55366

      Posted

      Oh my i am really suffering tonight

      Ive got a heat pad on but am having pains while i sit still!! Gonna have to take some codeine early i reckon

      ..grr. Pains shooting down my arm and up into my neck...while im sat still.

      Im so looking forward to physio on wed! Lol x. But only cos they are the only ones who can push fwd for hydrodilation. Oh and to top it off ive just sneezed and hurt like mad. So now im sat here crying feeling very sorry for myself..i hate this..

    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 Debbie1212

      Posted

      I'm so sorry darling. I know it's so crap. I've been hurting today. First I caught it in the duvet and then went to catch something that I dtopped!!!! It's hideous.

      I think everything is down to Physio 's from what my GP was saying.

      Take the codeine !!!!!!!!!!!!! Xx

    • candace513
      candace513 Debbie1212

      Posted

      oh how I remember those first weeks and the intense pain no matter what I did. I pretty much lived in my recliner and I did find that taking different size little pillows and stuffing them all around my shoulder and back of my arm and lower part of my arm to get my shoulder in exactly the position it wanted to be in and if I didn't move I could find some temporary comfort at least. When I did have to get up to do anything just the pain of having the arm hanging on my body was sometimes more than I can bear. My friend bought me a cheap sling and I wore that for a couple of weeks even though the doctor said that was the worst thing I could do. Hell at that point it was already locked up I didn't see that it made that much difference. and sleeping was another nightmare since even laying on the opposite side cause my shoulder to sag one way or another and the pain was impossible to bear so I was stuck sleeping on my back for months. That's why I pretty much stayed in my recliner and even slept there. I would say a recliner is a must have for anyone with this condition. You just have to remember to release the foot rest before you sit down if you're bad arm is the one that handles the control.
    • Debbie1212
      Debbie1212 candace513

      Posted

      Candace, this is not the first few weeks! This is the 4th month....ive hadone steroid at 1ml and im having 10ml on sat. I have physio, waste of time i know on wed this week, then having hydrodilation asap.

      it has been pretty bad the last few days again wheras i was ok apart from sudden movement, or forgetting it! But the 1st injection was ok, and it helped a lot with the pain, but now its worse again. Nighy x

    • candace513
      candace513 Debbie1212

      Posted

      I would have to look back in my journal to know what my exact time line was. I also received a couple of steroid injections which only help temporarily and from what I read about the damage to muscle tissue I have refrained from getting anymore. I went to about 3 weeks of therapy but the portion that Medicare did not pay for became cost prohibitive so I stopped. I had set up to have my arm rotated under anesthesia but was told I would need to commit to intense therapy for at least 2 months afterwards and since I would not be able to drive my daughter would have had to take me and she refused saying she was just too busy. In reading further I found many cases where that did little to improve the situation anyway and so I have opted to just sit this out. My biggest terror Is that this will set up in my other arm which is my dominant arm. They say once you have had it in one shoulder it is much easier for it to appear in the other shoulder and I have been having some pain there. This is not how I pictured retirement and the depression can at times be overwhelming. What I can't imagine is all the people who are trying to work jobs with this condition. I just don't see how that is possible
    • linda37283
      linda37283 Debbie1212

      Posted

      Hi Debbie awwww I so so feel for you and know exactly where you are sad 

      Nothing stops this dreadful pain - nothing sad  I am 8months in now and had surgery AND I still get pain.............. you will read that people say it does slowly improve and wait for it............... my pain has now started to ease - very slowly but it does seem to be easing! Go get the surgery - push to see an orthopaedic shoulder consultant - its your right to see these people!!! AND VERY VERY SLOWLY it does start to improve!

      I to am off to see the physio today and consultant again next week - says he may need to manipulate again so we will see! Keep taking pain relief - keep on top of it......... Everyone on here will try and help and give you support - you are not on your own huni smile 

      I've only recently retired and as you say its not how you wanted to spend your days in chronic pain sad  Sending you big hugs xx 

    • Debbie1212
      Debbie1212 linda37283

      Posted

      Thank you so much Linda.  Last night was awful and I think i am panicking a bit as my daughter leaves on saturday and my husband works nights, so im going to be in the house on my own, me and the dog.  But physio tomorrow (aaarggh!)  i know its going to hurt. But then im having more steriod (10ml) on saturday and hopefully if that doesnt work then i will have the hydrodilation asap.  Such a long road isnt it.  What did i do in my past life to get this??  ha ha.  

      You take care too.  We will all be okay this time next year.  :-)  x

       

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