Shoulder pain- How to get through this?
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi, I am desperately looking for advice and support from other sufferers on how to deal with pain.
I am a 45 yr old female, and been suffering for about 6 months with a painful shoulder ( and everything that goes with it) MRI done which showed an impengment and Bursitis but nothing else significant so my GP tells me. Steroid injection done which helped a very small amount. Physio and acupuncture doesn't seem to help. I can't sleep, I have nausea, constipation and feel at my wits end. Pain in my neck, behind ear and headaches recently. I generally feel unwell and feel like I don't know what to do with myself to get myself back to normal. I can't get dressed without pain and help. Taking naproxen, nefopam and paracetamol. I have lost weight and am so miserable.. Sorry for rambling just don't know were to turn GP is useless and the consultant I saw didn't help just said he didn't have a crystal ball to know why or what it is.
0 likes, 27 replies
Susan1942 amanda76294
Posted
So sorry to hear that you are having so much pain but feel despondent that you are not any better despite the various treatments you have had to date
My story is that after 12 months I have just had an ASD plus debridement of my rotator cuff
Initially for about 2 months I tried to deal with it myself Ice naproxen which I'd had for a knee problem and voltarol gel
When I saw my GP said rotator cuff tear probably I did some private Physio which made it worse I then went back to GP sent for x-ray by different GP Out some cortisone but in.my opinion not in the right area I am 75 and a retired midwife Said X-ray showed arthritis I was not happy so asked for a scan Told as over 60 scan is not given I said I would pay at which point he said would refer to Orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in shoulders and elbows I saw him had a scan as and I did have a cuff tear Said surgery indicated
(Can't have MRI as I have a spinal implant for chronic pain)
I had the surgery on 8th April He was not able to repair my tear as it was very ragged The tear was not complete Said the joint was very inflammed and looked pretty nasty
He removed the very inflammed Bursa plus made space by doing the ASD and debridement which means he really got rid of all the ragged ends and generally got rid of all the debris Flushed it all out with saline
To date I am doing well and started Physio last week Do you have pain when lying on your side at night That was a major problem for me I had bursitis swelling on my shoulder almost from the beginning As I say I a struggle getting that referral
I had to dig my heels in with that second GP and say I don't agree with you He said I have seen inside a lot of shoulders I stood my ground and got that referral
If I were you I would go back and say you would like him to have a look in your shoulder If they removed that Bursa and created the space I am sure this would allow your cuff and ligaments to move more freely
It is 12 months since I developed the problem GP May X-ray Sept Scab November waiting list has taken 5 months rather than the 3
Your surgeon says he does not have crystal ball but he can put an arthroscopy into your shoulder and see That is my story and what I would do in your position To be told scan under 60 and just an x-ray over 60 is shocking Good Luck Just ask to be referred back if you don't have an appt If you have an appt try to get it brought forward I will often speak to the consultants secretary as a way of getting an earlier appt Sue
amanda76294 Susan1942
Posted
Thank you for the reply.. I hope you're recovering well. Its awful isn't it, I have been referred to a orthapedic surgeon a different one now to the one I briefly saw. I can't lie on my shoulder at all. I am so miserable! Had some blood tests done today at a health check I was having done with the nurse. The nurse must have thought I was mad as I waffled on & burst into tears (something I seem to do all the time now)
Susan1942 amanda76294
Posted
Thank you for your reply My heart goes out to you as I know how tired and worn out I was with lack of sleep
I am glad to hear that you have had a second referral
Hope you don't have to wait too long to be seen Hopefully he will be willing to at least explore your shoulder and do what he considers necessary
That was how things were left with my Consultant
I am very positive that following Physio maybe some hard work my problems will be resolved Try and hang in but if you are very depressed speak to your GP about that Your pain threshold is lowered by lack of sleep I suffer from chronic neuropathic pain for many years I understand how debilitating pain can be
Good luck Hope the support you get from people on the forum helps We do understand and wish we could help.in some way Sue
amanda76294 Susan1942
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Susan1942 amanda76294
Posted
Thanks Amanda I am just praying that you are seen very quickly If you know you have been referred to it might be worth giving appts a call. I did and got an appt within 3 weeks My Sister however was referred on 9th Sept was not seen until mid January She had an MRI mid March and just saw the consultant last Thursday
She had a repair of a big rotator cuff about 3 years ago Total success
This time things are so.bad and she needs a shoulder replacement
She is like you when lying in bed she can't lift her arm She has to take her good arm to lift it She dreads bedtime as she has so.much pain in bed
I see a lot of people are sleeping in recliner chair
I suppose in the meantime all you can do is hang in there Let me know how you get on Sue
miguel11050 amanda76294
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amanda76294 miguel11050
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Roberta265 amanda76294
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amanda76294 Roberta265
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kerri75638 amanda76294
Posted
Hello Amanda. I am so sorry for your pain and believe me I feel all your pain. I cried myself to sleep many nights. My neurosurgeon referred me to a orthopedic doctor and after a MRI it was discovered that I had not one but both of my rotator cuffs torn. I am 2 weeks post op of my first surgery ans still in pain but they say it takes several months for it to heal even after pt. So I would start with a orthopedic doctor and I'll pray for you this is the worst pain.God bless.
amanda76294 kerri75638
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ricochetred amanda76294
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sounds like it's time to find a different Dr. How active are you? when did the pain first begin? was there a precipitating event? Do you have any other significant medical conditions? Have they done MRI for your neck? maybe they MRI the wrong part. nausea and constipation is probably from the meds. Hope you get to the bottom of this. No one should fee so bad.
amanda76294 ricochetred
Posted
Hi, Thank you for the reply. I just woke up about 6 months ago and noticed that I had a weakness in my left arm. It then progressed to an ache and my shoulder a little uncomfortable. Then I couldn't lift my arm. The next stage was excruciating pain when reaching or doing anything that involved moving my arm. That's when I contacted GP. My shoulder even at rest was so painful. The GP took fluid off it and gave me an injection into the bursa and it took away the constant throbbing after about a week but still couldn't lift it without the pain. Apart from having a total hysterectomy about 9 years ago and being on HRT no medical problems.
ricochetred amanda76294
Posted
I would request a referral to an orthopedic Dr. It could be frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) which is common in women. Also women with low estrogen (post menopausal or hysterectomy) tendon problems in shoulder area are common. The frozen shoulder is mysterious and can take months to a year to resolve. I like myofascial release as a manual technique to manage shoulder problems. You can google that. many massage therapists/PT's have some training in it. Maybe some anti inflammatory gel like Voltaren is your MD has not had you try that yet. Heat is usually more beneficial for bursitis issues than is cold. Do have the ortho also take a look at your neck area. Also rule out and carpal tunnel issues as they can sometimes refer up to shoulder. Since you have been dealing with the pain for 6 monts at least, I think it is reasonable to be asking for a referral to a specialist. I hope you get some relief soon.
amanda76294 ricochetred
Posted
Thank you for the advice ricochetred. The specialist at one point said something about that it could be but ruled it out. He said the MRI showed no sign of a frozen shoulder and I occasionally have a burning pain down to my elbow which he said you don't get with a frozen shoulder. He also hasn't asked me nothing about my medical history? I guess he would know that with my age I could be menopausal even if he doesn't know i had a hysterectomy?
I alternate ice and heat for the pain although preference is heat for me.
Really do appreciate your input in this discussion it is very helpful, thank you.
Susan1942 amanda76294
Posted
Other than the risk of GA taking a look at your shoulder would certainly give a clearer picture of the problem
My husband way back in 1995 developed a problem with his knee cartilage most likely
He did see an Orthopedic Surgeon who at 2nd visit offered cortisone injection
My husband said he would rather he took a look at it He had a tear through a third of the meniscus which was removed Total success Probably would not have done it had he not asked Hope you had a better night Sue
amanda76294 Susan1942
Posted
Thank you Sue it's very kind of you to take time to respond to my message. Has definitely made me feel a bit better to know what I am faced with. Speaking with my husband this morning about this forum and what advice and support I have been given. I am going to push my appointment through as much as I can and make sure I am not forgotten about and suffer in silence. Thanks again, have a lovely day x