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Nerve pain in neck and arm +frozen shoulder

Posted , 9 users are following.

melanie_55366
melanie_55366

Hi. I've never done anything like this before, but I feel lonely, frustrated and thoroughly p*ssed off!!!!

I have been off work since last September. when one morning I woke up and thought I was going to be paralysed as I was I the most severe pain in my neck, but actually couldn't move. I was given diazepam to relax the muscle spasms. Already on tramadol but also given cocodamol. Saw chiropractor for 6 weeks. Wasn't happy there though. Slowly regained more movement in my neck but the pain was getting worse and my shoulder and arm in excruciating pain. Can't lift arm up or behind my back. Putting certain items of clothing on causes sudden pain that makes me want to scream out and maybe faint sometimes. I hope I don't offend but going to the toilet is a feat. I feel like a fraud to others as you can't see this and it is the most painful thing ever. I have had 5 children and this is worse. I've seen a spine Physio today and being referred for MRI. She seems to think I have now developed frozen shoulder on top of neck problem too. I'm exhausted from it all. Bit nervous. I feel a fraction of the person I was 7 months ago. Thank you for listening to me wittering on about myself. I really look forward to hearing from you. Please!!!!!!! X

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • terry74787
    terry74787 melanie_55366

    Posted

    Oh Melanie how awful for you. I too wonder why no one knows what to do for this other than pain relief. Surgery seems like the only solution and it too brings a lot of pain. I had two frozen shoulders about two years apart. It seems like one finally got better and the other side started. Answers wouldn't make the pain go away but would make it more tolerable if we knew what we were dealing with...most people start seeing a slow trend for the better after 6 to 9 months it seems.  Usually a year or so into the process you can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't worry about other people understanding .  Just keep in touch with any support groups you can find until this starts to get better. I wound up detoxing with a physician after my second frozen shoulder since it seemed to me that my body must be inflamed.  Since then I've had a neck problem that again has taken over a year to start to resolve.  If we do have a disease process, thank God it gets better for a while in between episodes.  So sorry for you!  God bless.  
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 terry74787

      Posted

      Hi Terry. Thank you for talking to me. Wow sounds like you have truly been through it!!! Do you think some people are more prone to such things?? I wish I could not worry about what others think, especially my partner!!!! I actually asked my GP for a sick note to give to him, like I did my employer, (before they sacked me!!) to make it, maybe more real for him, to give me a break and be more understanding!!!!!! I can only dream. I feel resentful to him now. That's awful, isn't it?!!! This thing, I don't know how to refer to it, is it an illness?? Well whatever it is, it has completely changed life (sounds dramatic!!)

      How do you cope Terry? Do you take a lot of pain relief too?

    • terry74787
      terry74787 melanie_55366

      Posted

      Most people can't understand the condition because they have never felt this kind of 24/7 constant pain and or they just aren't the empathetic type.  Sad but nothing we can do about that.  Constant pain from any cause ruins relationships when it's long term. We are not he same person when we are going thru this. I encouraged my husband to go do the things he enjoyed and at the same time I enjoyed not having to pretend I wasn't miserable when he was there.  Ironically I also resented him for leaving me.  What a mess!  I never thought of looking for a support group for chronic pain then but I should have. The one thing that really helped me was a tens unit   I had it on all the time. The electronic signals it puts out interrupts the pain signal. I night recommend you invest in a good one.  They aren't all equal. If you have a physical therapist or chiropractor ask for a manufacturer suggestion. Read reviews before you buy.  You are in a war pretty much by yourself. Keep moving the arm to your range of motion .  Don't let this thing steal any more of your life than it already has...It will get better!  I know you are sad right now. Have a little cry then get back up and fight back.m 
  • mymaude
    mymaude melanie_55366

    Posted

    Oh Melanie I am sure I can speak for everyone here when I say been there, done that (or not as the case may be) etc. If it is FS its crap (sorry but I could've said worse) the upside is that it does, eventually, get better even if you don't have a procedure to help it on its way, but the timescale varies from person to person. It sounds like you are in the first, freezing, stage which is the most painfull. You could do with a referal to a shoulder specialist so you know the options out there and there are many. Reading other peoples stories will help you alot as well. Meanwhile I wish you luck and send carefully virtual hugs.
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 mymaude

      Posted

      Hi Mymaude. Thank you for your kind words. You made me smile when you said that you could say worse than crap!! My language is choice at the moment!!!!! I have felt loads better already after finding this forum, and reading about everyone. Not that, for a moment, do I wish this upon anyone, but that I'm not going mad or even imagining things!!!!!

      I have to wait for this MRI now, as they think there's nerve damage in my neck, so need to see what. So that's taking priority over fs. I've been told to keep taking pain medication and wait, basically.

    • mymaude
      mymaude melanie_55366

      Posted

      To be honest Melanie, there isn't much else you can do other than manage the pain, though that's high on impossible during the freezing stage. Unfortunately for you it appears it is a secondary product of your neck problem so will be treated as such. I am lucky to have almost got rid of my FS within 14 months but then proceeded to hurl myself to the floor and caused an a/c dislocation to the same shoulder, which had to be operated on, so am now working hard with my (brilliant) physio to stop it refreezing and at the same time trying to stop the left shoulder, which is threatening, to following suit. Ah well I'll deal with what comes. I am very philosophical about it all as I know others are far worse off than me. Take care.
  • terry74787
    terry74787 melanie_55366

    Posted

    forgot one thing. If you have neck pain try doing your neck stretches laying down. If you are having neck spasms and your neck is being pulled out of alignment it makes it hard for you to even rotate your neck with the weight of your head pushing it down...
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 terry74787

      Posted

      Yes I do have trouble turning my head. I've lost quite a bit of use. I have to turn my whole body to look behind. I'm not doing any exercises at the moment as they've put every thing on hold till after scan.

  • Sheila_J
    Sheila_J melanie_55366

    Posted

    Melanie,

    I have stopped looking at these entries but this morning decided to look at your comment and I beleive God directed me to read it. I'm hoping your partner is open to reading this conversation so that he will understand that you are not exaggerating and the last thing you need right now is for him to treat you as such.

    When I was at my worst I read these every night for the same reason you started; desperation for answers, needing to know I wasnt alone in this nightmare and passing the time since I couldnt lay down to get sleep because of the horrific pain.

    My husband is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Doctor so if your partner is concerned about credibilty he can be assured I'm not some crazy off the street. lol..

    If you have not shown signs through your life of having an addictive personality then you should take whatever pain meds your doc prescribes to get through the nightmare.  I was on 4 MEDICINES!!! I had no trouble getting off of them all except the paxil was a little challenging.  

    When you are in constant pain and temporarily handicapped it causes anxiety and claustophobia so the paxil worked to ease the anxiety.

    My husband believes in sending me and our boys to another physician and doesnt ever treat us so unfortunately I went to another doc who misdiagnosed me for 8 months until I finally made my husband assess the situation.  Before he looked at my shoulder I got to a point that I literally thought I was going to crack and told him to keep the kids from seeing me.  That was for 3 days until I began medicines to be able to function!

    I was on all 4 meds for 2 years and my friends and family looked down on it and feared it was not a good idea to be on them.  They just didnt understand that there was no other option!  In order to get through day to day no one can live with that kind of pain.

    If at all possible do some of the shoulder exercises even though your neck is worse.  

    You dont think its going to help while you are doing the exercises but I eventually noticed that if I didnt do the exercises the pain was worse.  

    Be sure to go to a Rehabilitation Physician also, not just a surgeon.  

    I just said a prayer that God guides you to the right professionals to help you and that your partner's mind and heart opens up to this new and temporary reality so that he can support you.

    Hang in there! Things will eventually get better.

    Sheila

     

    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 Sheila_J

      Posted

      Your kind words made me cry!!!!! I've never felt so alone!!!!!

      Yes I completely understand about the medications. My partner looks down on me every time I take something. I have tramadol, cocodamol 30/500, gabepentin, oramorph and zopiclone for night time. As soon as I get up I have to take them all, and just wait till they kick in before I can contemplate doing anything. Sometimes he makes me feel like a junkie.

      I wish I had faith like you!!!!

      Thank you again x

    • Sheila_J
      Sheila_J melanie_55366

      Posted

      Melanie,

      Will he read these entries?  And can he go to the next visit with your doctor to hear it from him or her that you need these meds? Is he supportive at all; like helping you get your clothes on and off or reaching for pots and pans etc...

      I hope so! ):

      Sheila

    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 Sheila_J

      Posted

      He will think it's wrong that I'm on here at all. Talking to people I don't know. Ignorance really. If he's in the kitchen I will maybe ask him to do something. It's predominately my daughter who helps me. I don't know what I'd do without Isabelle.
  • daveuk73
    daveuk73 melanie_55366

    Posted

    without any pain relief, physio or types of surgery frozen shoulder can last up to 5 years and rarely longer. Apart from physio steroid injections and shoulder classes there are 2 other options for it, they are Shoulder Hydrodilatation  and manipulation under anesthesia. I took the option of  manipulation under anesthesia but because I wasn't referred back to physio my frozen shoulder came back. Its worth while asking your doctor about these options and if you have either make sure they refer you back to physio so it doesn't creep back. And if anyone out there is feeling p'd off, lonely,angry or alone I'm a good listener I don't know everything and can't always answer everybodies questions but at least its good to know there's somebody out there who will listen to you.  On a personal note  I know how lonely can feel even though i've been married for 17 years this year, with my wife for 19 years and have 3 children i still have a saying i made up for just myself... suffer in silence, suffer alone.... this is because my frozen shoulder has gone on for so long nobody in the family seems to pay any attention to it or the pain i suffer with it and now the consultant  only sees me now every 3 months and refers me back to physio who say they see great improvement and just send me off to shoulder class which i have every wednesday in a grotty cold unequipped gym area thats dirty at the DRI (doncaster Royal Infirmary). I also found out on my own that swimming can help with excersises although limited your joints and muscles have more movement underwater

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the YouTube links as users can Google the terms to find info/videos.

  • karenmarie
    karenmarie melanie_55366

    Posted

    Hi Melanie - so sorry to hear this, I feel your pain, it is all consuming I understand completely. I had a fully frozen right shoulder plus muscle wasting and various bits! I had capsular release surgery and now it just aches a bit occasionally, which enables me to live my life normally again.

    I pushed to see a shoulder specialist and paid for the treatment/operation, which including physio was just under £5000. But it was worth every penny. Life is too short to live it in pain. I hope so much you can get help soon,

    Very best wishes

    Karen

  • alison44235
    alison44235 melanie_55366

    Posted

    Well that is bad. I have not been offered a MRI to find out what is going on in my shoulder. I had a fall they said without even looking inside with a scan that I had a reotator cuff tear. Now I have a frozen shoulder. I thas made my M.E. ten times worse. i am unable to do anything I enjoy etc. Had enough.
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 alison44235

      Posted

      I'm so sorry. Can you ask to see a different doctor? What I know is GP's can't refer us to a scan, it has to be done through a specialist Physio. I don't know if it's different where you live. You have to be strong, I know it's easier said than done, I really do. Be persistent. What have they said they are going to do?x
    • alison44235
      alison44235 melanie_55366

      Posted

      I was told by my orthopaedic surgeon that there was no need for a scan yet!!!!! I shall mention it again to my physio next time i go but he also said there was no need yet, my doctor also said they just go by what movements you can do. They are just waiting to see how it goes and say it will get better, but now I don't think that is good enough. I was told by my physio that the next stage would be an injection but I am not so keen unless they do a scan first and see what is going on. I just feel like a number that they do not really care. I was in tears so much last night I just did not know what to do with myself or how to go forward with this.
    • melanie_55366
      melanie_55366 alison44235

      Posted

      Was it the pain last night? Frustration?

      I completely understand. I cry a hell of a lot at the moment. I'm not me anymore.

      They can't give you an injection without a scan. That is definite. Is there more than one doctor at your surgery? Ask to see someone else. I wish I could help you Alison. Stay strong. May I ask where you live?

      Also have they given you enough pain medication?

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