Frozen Shoulder(s)?

butterfly1
butterfly1 Member Posts: 35
edited 20. Aug 2009, 07:38 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, has anyone got/had/experienced this? I've had pain in my left shoulder and arm for a year now and the right shoulder is now following suit. As this is the usual pattern for my PA it had been assumed it was the arthur, however today's MRI results have ruled that out and the Orthopeadic surgeon I saw (referred to him to find out if I need shoulder replacing) said that he thinks it might be a frozen shoulder which will get worse until it freezes completely and that it can happen in both shoulders. From reading the web today this process can take years and I'm already struggling with the pain and signed off work. I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this and if it is related to the PA.

Thanks.

Comments

  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was wandering if you drive, as many people have their seats wrongly positioned and overreach for the controls. This can cause shoulder problems. Also, if you use a computer a lot then sitting properly and supports for the wrists can ease the strain on the shoulders.

    Just a few ideas that may help.

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • wendygrocott
    wendygrocott Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    butterfly1 wrote:
    Hi, has anyone got/had/experienced this? I've had pain in my left shoulder and arm for a year now and the right shoulder is now following suit. As this is the usual pattern for my PA it had been assumed it was the arthur, however today's MRI results have ruled that out and the Orthopeadic surgeon I saw (referred to him to find out if I need shoulder replacing) said that he thinks it might be a frozen shoulder which will get worse until it freezes completely and that it can happen in both shoulders. From reading the web today this process can take years and I'm already struggling with the pain and signed off work. I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this and if it is related to the PA.

    Thanks .
    :cry: Hi sorry to hear about your shoulder. I had a frozen shoulder 3yrs ago it started it was my left shoulder I thought I had lay on it funny in bed it gradually got worse movement was very poor because of the pain I was on pain killers I also had 6 weeks of acupuncture to no avail. I was then sent to see the Consultant I was waiting for a Hip replacement also . What they did I couldn't manage the hip op with the shoulder as it was because of the cruc thes etc so I had a manipulation under general anaesthetic then weeks of physio then I had the hip op that was 2 years ago I still have pain in the shoulder and restricted movement but in general it is a lot better. I was told it starts off slowly then reaches a peak then goes off and can take up to 3yrs . It can come back and can affect the other shoulder. Look it up on the internet :wink:
  • luckybug
    luckybug Member Posts: 205
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have this, Rheumatologist says I need new replacement shoulders, saw his registrar last week, explained when I sleep on my side, I cannot move my arm, shoulder joint for about an hour, and am in excrutiating pain, he gave me a block injection, near the nerve, and I have not had problems since, my shoulders are really bad as I cannot raise them above my head or get my arms round my back, but I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since age 2 so not surprisinfg to me.
  • dianel
    dianel Member Posts: 48
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    I had escalating pain in my shoulders for two years. Doctor said it was tendonitis. I was in despair with the pain and eventually went back to see her and suggested I might have psoriatic arthritis (having investigated symptoms on the internet). She wasn't best pleased at my self diagnosis but did send me for an x-ray. When it came back she couldn't refer me to a specialist fast enough - yes it was pa and my shoulders are now completely destroyed with all that that entails. Part of this sorry saga is my own fault for not making enough fuss and stoically putting up with the pain.
    You say you've had x-rays and that arthritis has been ruled out. I'm glad to hear that and hope that things improve soon. Best wishes Diane.
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I last saw the consultant about three years ago for my shoulders, after injections/x-rays/scan/poking/prodding he said he couldn't help, they were just worn out and to go and see my doctor for some painkillers, fat lot of use they were!

    Swimming is a big help, breast stroke only. Not a complete cure by any means but I can at least live with it.
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there

    Yes I get this. I posted a while back thinking maybe I was being silly and the posters told me to speak to the Dr which I did.

    I don't know if you have this but my shoulder on the right gets very painful, numb like someone has given me a dead arm down to my elbow and then pins and needles. I find if I sleep with one pillow which I hate it doesn't happen so much, so I think two high pillows aggravates it.

    Do you do any lifting at all? With me it was my whopper of a baby, freak of nature, totally massive, I'd be lifting him a certain way to try and save my back and notice my shoulder would be aggravated. This is awful but heat doesn't seem to help, only ice, I got a bag of peas out the freezer and held it there for a while and it helped.

    But defo speak to your Dr to make sure there isn't an underlying issue causing it.

    Good luck.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,086
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    airwave wrote:
    I last saw the consultant about three years ago for my shoulders, after injections/x-rays/scan/poking/prodding he said he couldn't help, they were just worn out and to go and see my doctor for some painkillers, fat lot of use they were!

    Swimming is a big help, breast stroke only. Not a complete cure by any means but I can at least live with it.
    Where's you Grin?! I missed it :(
    Toni x
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    airwave wrote:
    I last saw the consultant about three years ago for my shoulders, after injections/x-rays/scan/poking/prodding he said he couldn't help, they were just worn out and to go and see my doctor for some painkillers, fat lot of use they were!

    Swimming is a big help, breast stroke only. Not a complete cure by any means but I can at least live with it.
    Where's you Grin?! I missed it :(
    Toni x

    Sorry this off topic. Hi Toni :D - waving!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,086
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    airwave wrote:
    I last saw the consultant about three years ago for my shoulders, after injections/x-rays/scan/poking/prodding he said he couldn't help, they were just worn out and to go and see my doctor for some painkillers, fat lot of use they were!

    Swimming is a big help, breast stroke only. Not a complete cure by any means but I can at least live with it.
    Where's you Grin?! I missed it :(
    Toni x

    Sorry this off topic. Hi Toni :D - waving!
    Hi Eck!! :)
    Back on subject - i too would take advice as a jab might just solve it?!
    Toni x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    :D:D Jabs definitely do make a difference for the better, although unfortunately not a permanent solution.

    Take care
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,086
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    :D:D Jabs definitely do make a difference for the better, although unfortunately not a permanent solution.

    Take care
    Elna x
    Sorry Elna's right - only tempoary :oops:
    You ok Elna?
    Toni x