How long is a piece of string?

cherrybim

Yep, I know the answer to that one, twice as long from the middle to the end

However, I can't work this one out.

Had a miserable right collar bone and shoulder/arm since before last June The collarbone was x-rayed then and although it was apparently three times the size of its left pal; NAD :???:

Last week in desperation I shuffled down to my lovely Doc who diagnosed a frozen shoulder, nothing to do with the collarbone and arranged for the senior partner, a chap obviously very adept with the jolly old hyperdermic to give me a sort out.

Well so far, absolute zilch.

For the last 32 years I've been immune to the effects of cortisone, either orally or by injection so my question is:- shall I wait a little longer or shall I return to the Docs' and whinge? If I do that what on earth would be the next step?

I confess it's really getting me down, got enough pain with all the other bits. I've been up since 3.a.m.

Well, sorry folks that's enough of a moan from me but your experience/input would be most welcome.

Please don't think I've not been active in my support of others recently. I've looked and been concerned for you all but I've had to get Stu to type this for me

Cherry x

stickywicket

First off, Cherrybim, your last sentence - I don't think anyone here would ever accuse you of not supporting others on the forum. OK, that's the easy bit out of the way.

The rest is harder. You're obviously in a lot of pain and it needs sorting. The only red light I see is the one that says docs sometimes want to give things longer to work. So, you & I know this thing isn't working but, if he's likely to say it needs longer, I'd be tempted to hang on a few more days so's he can't. Only you know whether or not that's a viable option & it sounds like it mightn't be. My gut feeling is this pain really is bad so see what can be done.

And thanks to your amanuensis.

dreamdaisy

I was thinking about you both this morning and was going to PM you to ask how Stu is getting along. I am sorry about the shoulder and yes, I think you need to see someone about it - why give you a treatment that you know has never worked? I don't get that bit at all, you have enough of a track record to know that cortisone is useless as far as you are concerned. Having said that well, I am not a doc and have no idea what they may or may not be able to suggest/do/recommend, but they do need to have another think about it, yes? Could the trouble be connected some way to the fact that it is somewhat larger than the other? DD

cherrybim

Aw Sticky,

What a lovely reply, thank you

We seem to have a complete reversal of roles here! When I "retired" after the children were born, having had my own secretary in the previous life, I became Stu's amanuensis from time to time; now he seems to be mine

I shall wait 'cos who knows, miracles do happen !

I've typed this left handed which in itself is an anathema as no way am I ambidextrous

Cherry x

stickywicket

Arthritis taught me to be 'semi-ambidextrous' too. I did exam notes left handed & saved the right one for the real answer. (Couldn't always read my notes tho'!)

julie47

Hi cherry

I think probably give it another day or so then go back and tell them it hasn't worked. (again)

I am sorry that you are having these problems and i do hope they can be sorted soon.

juliepf x

cherrybim

Well stone the crows! Having typed a reply left handed and then tried to insert a picture, the whole lot disappeared into the ether. That'll "learn" me not to be so cocky. I obviously know nuffink!

Thank you DD.

You should concentrate on yourself now that you've been diagnosed with the other b****** too! It's a right so and so ain't it. RA argues with the OA and there's never a winner!

It's a "phew with Stu" He's doing well and has to go for another sleep study to check it all out. That'll be at the end of next week and if Mr Violaris at the DGH who did the op and Mr Meredith at the Conquest who is the sleep study Consultant pass him A ok for the anaesthetic then he'll be put on the list again for the disassemblance of the meccano and an Exeter hip!

We continue to be right royal I sleep in the matrimonial bed and he sleeps in the other room. Since the op he's not snored but when the surgeons send letters reporting that the cyst was "as big as a squashed tennis ball" that's not surprising.

We're both so grateful for the surgeons' intervention 'cos as I said to him "you could've woken up dead" particularly as both surgeons said "Don't know how you could remain vital with that mass impinging on your windpipe" Thank goodness it's not cancerous, such a blessing isn't it.

Cherry x

dreamdaisy

Oh I am pleased to hear that he is getting on OK, and I hope it is good news on the anaesthetic front too - do let us know as and when, yes?

Thank you for your good wishes, I am coming to terms with it all and am preparing to start chasing orthopaedics and the bone scan bods: it has been a month since the dread news but as the hospital has only been able to work about three days in that time (!) I know it is too early for anyone to have done anything, but I am more than prepared to chase and harry. I let things slide before, from 1997-2000 and even then it took another two years before action was taken. That won't happen again. (mainly because those years are long gone! ) You two look after each other and I hope you can get that pesky problem sorted (no, not Stu, your shoulder!) DD

cherrybim

Thanks Julie,

Just by posting one's worries on this lovely forum does so much help with decision making. What's the modern expression? "Thinking out of the box", yep that's it!

I'll wait until Stu's been passed for his hip op and then I'll be down to the Docs', (there are two of them sorting me out) if there's no improvement.

Cherry x

wendgro

I had a frozen shoulder a few years ago and yes I had the cortizone injection and accupuncture all to no avail onset was severe pain on movement then it becomes very stiff and immovable then the pain goes and it starts getting better it can last up to 3 years in total in the end I had to have manipulation under anaesthetic to loosen the shoulder. and physio for quite a while. My shoulder is now smaller than the other and I have never regained full movement. mind you I do have OA developed in the shoulder so I suppose movement is restricted because of that.Cheer up it will get better in time

cherrybim

PPpeter you have given me heart and made me laugh so much.

I'm going to remember:

"So how long is a piece of string, I would say as long as between my doctor and my leg I think she is pulling"

Absolutely love it

I truly hope everything with us all goes well.

Bless, nice to find another "sweet/quaint/entertaining person"

Cherryx

cherrybim

I did have a "google" about frozen shoulder Wendgro and I thought "Oh flippin' typical" lasts for years and isn't necessarily anything to do with the perishing screwmatics.

Ho hum as DD says "all things pass" Just wish it would pass sooner, lol

Next step would possibly be the "re-arrangement" under anaesthetic.

Having got three rugby playing sons (ancient so they are, 45, 38, 32) with one of them being so enthusiastic that he's had three ops on his shoulder I'll shut up, otherwise they'll all blame me for their faulty genes

Cherry x

skezier

Hi Cherry,

Sorry your shoulder is up to no good and hope you get a miracle with the cortisone.

I became 'immune' to it so she used medrone and that worked for a bit then didn't so she used botox.... now its strictly a frozen shoulder in my cus it's also the neck but as yet it hasn't managed to fight the botox too well... it does try but its always failed ... so far and it's been while as well.

Mine is done by the pain clinic and it might be w way forward for you? Cris x

tkachev

Hi Cherry,

I can't think of anything funny or entertaining to say but just wanted to send you some good wishes.

Elizabeth x