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That dreaded frozen shoulder thing

Posted , 6 users are following.

meltoadhall
meltoadhall

Hi, I've been reading some of your discussions and thought I would like to add my expereinces and also ask for advice please.

I'm 47 and started with problems with my shouder back in January, the GP gave me a months worth of ibruprofen and said to come back if no better. So back I went and it was worse. Couldnt use my right arm at all and the pain had me sobbing on the floor, then prescribed tramocet which didnt make much difference. Referral to consultant then sent.

Have just had MUA and arthroscopy last week, the consultant said it too far gone for injections or physio. I've been doing the exercises given by the hospital for the last week.  I thought I was on the road to recovery until this morning when I saw the physio. I came home after nearly passing out with the pain ( with tramocet) and crying when I got home.

I thought I was doing really well, getting movement back and now I feel the exercises she put me through have pushed me back to before surgery.

I just need some advice please, is this normal?

Thank you

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Rologirl
    Rologirl meltoadhall

    Posted

    the problem is the surgeon wants you have mobility and the physiotherapist wants you to have strength - they don't always realise that some things will take time.

    priority 1 needs to be your pain management, 

    priority 2 - your stress and depression managed - mental wellbeing etc

    priority 3 - regaining full mobility and strength - you have the rest of your life to regain the strength and mobility - - make sure your physiotherapist is gentle with you - you just don't want to refreeze.

  • AntheaS
    AntheaS meltoadhall

    Posted

    Hi there..so sorry to hear. I can honestly say that I don't wish this hell on my worst enemy. I'm not too far behind you in terms of time as mine started in October last year (6 months) and I too had a lot of stress. Both my parents passed away, sibling issues and I had major surgery. So high stress and depression I too believe contributed to my FS condition. As my pain started increasing I noticed that the more I moved it and exercised it the worse the pain got. My mobility improved, but the pain was excruciating. Particularly at night. I felt like any physio would aggrevate my arm. So I made the decision to wait and do nothing other than house hold chores within the parameters of my pain. Challenging myself ever so slightly. Now 6 months down, I still have pain, but it seem to be getting better. It's a different kind pain and I noticed that although I can't wash my hair or raise my arm past shoulder height, there is a slight improvement. Every instinct in me tells me to wait and not aggrevate my shoulder during this freezing/frozen stage. I'm waiting for that moment that it switches to thawing and it is in this period that I'll start major physio and it that still doesn't work, I plan to then have it manipulated under anaesthetic. If that doesn't work, then I'll consider surgery. But I do know that during freezing and frozen, you just leave the arm and shoulder alone. Work on your mental state, your posture and try different pain medications with breaks in between when the arm seems a bit better (it fluctuates). That'll prevent any addiction or stomach/small intestine damage. I use a codeine based anti-inflammatory and it really helps. Apparently codeine turns into type of morphine in your liver. But like I said, you take it for 3 days and only at night and then off it for 3 and so on. Just read your body. Drink heaps of water. Advice from another forum contributor and I too have found helps. I've been offered a saline/cortisone injection, but have decided to let my body fix this as my specialist said there are no guarantees, but that there is a risk of infection from the needle going into an area where there is very little blood flow and cortisone and cartilage isn't compatible. So, I'm waiting...healing. I remember the exact moment I went from freezing phase into a frozen phase. I was at our local indoor community pool watching my kids swim and I was sitting stretching my neck and focusing on my posture. slight circular motions with my shoulders and visualising a more relaxed state of mind. Breathing and all that jazz. I felt a moment of relief and my arm although still painful felt slightly better. I have felt another switch a few days ago and there has definitely been an improvement. It's not much, but I'm thankful for the smallest change. Major hugs from me to you...although it's only really a one arm hug ...
  • meltoadhall
    meltoadhall

    Posted

    thank you so much for your support, yesterday I just felt so tearful and fed up. I couldnt do any of the exercises I am supposed to do.

    Today I am feeling more positive and will take things at my pace and will listen to what my body tells me. I have been reading so many peoples experiences on this forum and am finding so much to be thankful for.

    i know with the MUA I had full movement, so all I have to do to remind my shoulder again, thats all!

    One arm hugs smile

  • peterdt
    peterdt meltoadhall

    Posted

    Hi,

    Read your story. I have been suffering with this problem for the last 9 month's. I have been following many discussions in this forum regarding operations and day tho day issues. My orthopedic surgeon recommended no operation and that It would start getting better in about a years time. I have had month's of bad sleeping due to the discomfort. I decided to do exercises to assist with recovery. I did back exercises, rowing and spinning. I can honestly say that i am starting to feel much better and getting more mobility and the pain seems to be receding. I am also sleeping more comfortably. Hope this helps all you sufferers out there. Maybe my frozen shoulder was not as bad as yours.

  • meltoadhall
    meltoadhall

    Posted

    Well, thought I'd give an update, my shoulder is so much better now, definitly thawing. I am kinda ignoring the physio and doing varous stretching exersices I have found on the net. I am listening to what my body tells me and going for mobility over strengthening, that can come later.

    i feel so much better in myself, its now been 10 days since the MUA and I really think it has worked, still a long way to go, but I shaved my own armpit yesterday, mostly. Those of you who have problem this will know the joy smile

    Thanks again for all your support, nearly two arm hugs

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