Frozen shoulder agony :-(

Cellbar

Please help - just been dx with (adhesive capulitis?) Frozen shoulder and been told have to go in as a day case for manipulation, steroid and local anaesthetic injection in joint followed by heaps of physio...!

I am currently limited on med options as I cannot tolerate opiods (Tramadol etc) or ibuprofen and already have GORD and take Lansoprazole twice a day.

I am in agony with the pain and inflammation and am wondering should I give Arcoxia a go? My GP prescribes me this for my arthritis flares and my back/neck problems but only for a 7 day stretch at a time.

I am not a happy pill popper at the best of times as I get every side effect going - my GP wanted me to try Guabapentin on top of Topiramate but I haven't ventured there yet - most I can manage to tolerate at the moment is the Cocodamol 30/500 (which I have prescribed at 8 daily) but they completely zonk me out if I stick to the dosage and even then the pain is still apparent.

What ideas or methods is anyone aware of that may help me alleviate the pain of my poorly shoulder?!

dreamdaisy

Oh dear, you are having a tough time aren't you? I don't know if arcoxia would help a frozen shoulder but there's not much to lose in trying it, is there? You know you can take it and your GP is the one to advise on it. How soon will you be admitted for the shoulder work? DD

constable

So sorry that you are suffering so much at the mo. And that you have trouble with taking many of the medications. It does somewhat limit you doesn't it. I was on gabepentin, and I stopped it because it left me with a sieve for a brain and I have two girls and hubby to look after. I am able to take most meds, with little side effects.

Have you tryed any heat rubs. I find they give a little relief. I really wish there was something else I could say but all I can do is send you some gentle hugs. And hope that you dont have to wait long for your appointment at the hospital.

Let us know how it goes wont you.

salamander

I'm sorry you've got this as it is extremely painful. I had mine injected with steroids twice. First time it didn't help but the second one, done under ultrasound when I was in hospital worked, though I had to take amitriptyline at night 20mg for about a year. They really helped. I didn't find any painkillers of any help whatsoever. Not taken Gabapentin.

lizzieuk1

Hiya have you thought of seeing an osteopath we often treat frozen shoulder successfully it involves alot of soft tissue work around the capsule and can be uncomfortable but it does work well. May be worth a thought before going down the surgery line.x

Cellbar

Well - is manipulation classed as surgery?

But I was going to ask - is manipulation a good or a bad thing?

It sounds to me like you are 'forcing' a badley scarred joint to do something it is going to have difficulty with and that just sounds like a bad idea to me, surely it does more harm than good?

Can I not see an osteo on the NHS?

dreamdaisy

This is your shoulder and you know your mecial history. I presume that those who know your case have decided on the hospital treatment? If this were me I would stick with that and not muddy waters any further by introducing another treatment element but that's just me being cautious. DD

Cellbar

This man has never seen me for this before - its taken an age for me to get to see him as my GP 'put me off' with a dx of 'referred pain' from the OA in my neck for months!! I had to go back and basically demand that I be referred on somewhere following x-rays that weren't needed.

I now learn that its going to be the end of May before my day surgery!!! What kind of state am I going to be in then?! And what do I do to cope in between?

I am trying to find out from my PCT if osteopathy is available on the NHS where I am as I do think soft tissue work has to be more preferable to what they are curerntly (not) giving me :?

I am in agony and get constant fevers and the range of movement is very poor, its only going to get worse if I leave it till the end of May!

barbara12

Oh Cellbar
I have not had to deal with this thank goodness, I have seen people with it like you say it is extremely painful, I have heard the steroid injections work well on shoulders along with physio...apparently if you dont keep it moving then it can make matters worse....probably comes from someone who hasn't been through it.
Could you not try the injections before any manipulation, please see your GP again there is know way you can go on till May.
And let us know how you get on x

salamander

For what it is worth, I had osteopathy privately (you can't get it on NHS) and it didn't work for me - I have RA so don't know if that is why. I found it actually aggravated the joint. Steroid injection only thing that worked. I would say have it and not mess around with your shoulder.

stickywicket

Have you had physio on it? NHS Choices recommends it (gently) in order not to lose movement. You can ask your GP to refer you. I'd beware osteopaths unless recommended by the NHS. My daughter-in-law (fit as a flea) got a frozen shoulder over a year ago. The pain has diminished but she still finds it stiff. I worry a little about your phrase 'the pain is still apparent', after the cocos. I think that, unfortunately, 'painfree' or even 'virtually painfree' is probably not an option.

kentishlady

Hello Cellbar. I know exactly what you are going through as I have had a frozen shoulder. It was diagnosed in November 2011 and it really is utter agony, isn't it? I eventually saw a consultant who advised physio for me. However, although I went 3 or 4 times the physiotherapist eventually told me that whilst it was in the 'frozen' stage, which I hate to say can last anything up to 9 months or sometimes even more, there was no point in having the physio as it was just too painful and I would need to wait for the 'unfrozen' less painful stage before going back for more treatment.

Once it gets to the 'unfrozen' stage, then the pain does very gradually begin to ease. Mine has gradually eased but has taken ages to do so - I still can't sleep on my left shoulder. I found that warmth was about the only thing that helped - used to put a warmed wheatbag on it. One of my friends has also suffered with it and she had manipulation under anaesthetic which has helped (but the manipulation was only done as a 'last resort'). I think other treatments are usually advised first and am a little surprised that this has immediately been suggested to you, but perhaps yours is an 'extreme' case. I do wonder whether the alternatives some of the others have suggested might be an option for you before you go down the surgery route.

I really do hope you can find some pain relief to help you. I too, cannot take any of the strong painkillers because of dreadful side effects, and am limited to paracetamol and pain-relieving gels (I find Pernaton works the best for me).

If you would like to PM me, I shall be pleased to try and help further. Do take care. It is such a miserable thing to have. Thinking of you. Beryl ((()))

lizzieuk1

stickywicket wrote:

Have you had physio on it? NHS Choices recommends it (gently) in order not to lose movement. You can ask your GP to refer you. I'd beware osteopaths unless recommended by the NHS. My daughter-in-law (fit as a flea) got a frozen shoulder over a year ago. The pain has diminished but she still finds it stiff. I worry a little about your phrase 'the pain is still apparent', after the cocos. I think that, unfortunately, 'painfree' or even 'virtually painfree' is probably not an option.

Sw us osteopaths are not what we used to be! we are all well trained medical therapists (4year full degree vs 3 yrs for physios) only reason nhs recommends physio is because its free and most osteo is private though some gp practices now have referral clinics with osteos in them, tis nothing to do with safety etc etc we are well recognised by the general medical council, that said those trained since 2000 will be more likely to give a, shall I say, more rounded treatment. so long as the practitioner is aware of your RA there is no reason you can't undergo treatment as I say we treat frozen shoulder successfully, we can work very gently and specifically on soft tissue and don't just crack bones well I don't anyhow! I also have RA so totally understand your position I def won't be getting my bones cracked but the soft tissue and gentle joint motion work helps a lot to ease pain and inflammation.

Sorry for the essay but I get frustrated as we often are misunderstood as practitioners - there's no voodoo involved just sound anatomy, physiology, clinical medicine and pathology and carefully applied techniques in fact we often diagnose patients after they've been misdiagnosed by their gps with a wide variety of things including tumours!

P.S a physio (or rather 2 physios -1 senior) almost killed my OH by sending him off 3 times with a 6 inch DVT in his leg was only when I insisted he see the gp for referral before we went on a long haul flight - we had too cancel the holiday too! Was after a car accident and while I was training so I foolishly thought they would be best to rehab him!

We are programmed trust the NHS and for many things they are fab but pls don't dismiss others because we choose not to be part of their system. Orthodox medics spent many years dissing other practitioners to gain more money and patients long before the NHS formed so it would be nice for things to move on in a more measured fashion instead of outdated thinking.

LignumVitae

Have you considered acupuncture? You can usually get that on the NHS quite easily, I've had lots of success with sore bits and acupuncture Speak to your GP about it.

I'm not wading into the osteopath debate but I do know that my rheumy has told me it isn't an appropriate treatment for me as I have hypermobility syndrome alongside inflammatory arthritis (I'm advised against yoga too for instance) so if you are going to consider it I think I would mention it to whoever is in charge of your treatment or chat to your GP about it. I am sure there are some great Osteopaths like Lizzie out there but if you are going to consider a new treatment you ought to check it fits with the treatment pathway you are on (and maybe get a practitioner recommended) - it would be awful to discover you tried something that then put your other treatments on hold for instance.

lizzieuk1

LignumVitae wrote:

I'm not wading into the osteopath debate but I do know that my rheumy has told me it isn't an appropriate treatment for me as I have hypermobility syndrome alongside inflammatory arthritis (I'm advised against yoga too for instance) so if you are going to consider it I think I would mention it to whoever is in charge of your treatment or chat to your GP about it. I am sure there are some great Osteopaths like Lizzie out there but if you are going to consider a new treatment you ought to check it fits with the treatment pathway you are on (and maybe get a practitioner recommended) - it would be awful to discover you tried something that then put your other treatments on hold for instance.

Quite right hypermobility is contraindicated lv any osteo worth their while would always know a patients full history and know when treatment was contraindicated - we are first line practitioners as are GPs meaning jo blogs can come off the street asking for treatment so we have to be able to diagnose, spot "red flags" and know when it is unsafe to treat - its called clinical competence and our highest priority.
Def don't put other treatment on hold the wait list is horrific you can always cancel if our better!

Acupuncture is well worth considering, I have a fair few patients using it and it often helps.

Cellbar

Well - i thank everyone for there most generous comments and input - I am genuinely impressed and thank you all!!..

So glad I posted because I do have hypermobility!!! Was dx with that when I was 10 years old and its been that alongside arthritis all my life with loads of other ailments piling on top ever since :?

Looks like the manipulation route - have tried acupuncture and all I get is bruised and bleeding - no joke!! Acupuncturist couldn't believe it and said she had never had anyone bruise or bleed before and wasn't happy doing anymore sessions - that aside, it made me worse for a week :-(

Hopeless case by all accounts - its all really getting me down now TBH - do try and be upbeat about it but its getting to be an uphill struggle now what with everything else!

Thanks again peeps for all your input - much appreciated.

Just before I go - I have much time for 'complimentary' methods and meds and always do my homework into ALL possible routes - my brother has been sorted out by an osteo when no-one else could help him, not cheap, but worth every pound to him, so every respect to them - much knowledge is needed and much respect earned as far as I am concerned :-)

rockchick

I wish you well if you do go down the manipulation route. My SIL suffered with a frozen shoulder. It was physio, steroid injections and time which eventually sorted it.

I have also been helped dramatically in the past by my osteopath, and would agree with your brother, it has been worth every pound spent.

Good luck with everything
RC

stickywicket

I've no axe to grind against osteopaths as I've never had dealings with any but, for the record, this is what the NHS says and it does specifically mention shoulder pain:

There is evidence that osteopathy is an effective treatment for persistent lower back pain.
There is limited evidence that osteopathy is an effective treatment for recovery after a hip or knee operation.
There is no good evidence that osteopathy is an effective treatment for conditions for which it is sometimes used. These include:
• asthma
• painful periods
• shoulder pain
• headaches or migraines
• sinusitis (infection of the sinuses)
• stress
• depression

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Osteopathy/Pages/evidence.aspx

lizzieuk1

Indeed sw that's what they say good old NHS !!
SW this is not aimed at you just putting some points forward xx

I can say that I have treated many frozen shoulders , amongst other shoulder problems, and they have all resloved within 4-6 months , the NHS results via physio /drug management is average 18months to resolve so I'll let you do the maths!!
of course they can only report via statiscal tests of full clinical trials which many professions still lack in this is because they cost a fortune and only the NHS has the public funds to use for that!!! Though osteos are now conducting trials as were fed up being told by the NHS we're useless - there's 4000+ of us now so we must be doing something right.
Its a fickle world and the NHS is no different - there are plenty on controversial papers for all physical therapies including osteo and physio - as others say go on recommendation that's the best trial of any thing , remember there lies, damn lies and statistics!!!!!!!

If the public start demanding other treatments the NHS will have to pay and they don't want that- osteos refused to integrate with the NHS over 15 years ago since the NHS refused to pay us consultant fees( I won't ramble on why but there are distinct differences between us and NHS physios)- so they are happy to keep only recommending physio and warning the public how unsafe everyone else is this has happened for hundreds of years long before the NHS but historically how the medics became an organised group while others just carried on alone since they were plenty busy enough without grouping together! The history of this is fascinating- when penicillin was discovered health improved wow that's not obv eh!! but rt he orthodox group claimed all the credit for the nations health improvement shouted loudly about how amazing they were and so made lots of money,however they omitted to report on how general cleanliness had improved not least in the building of underground sewers by the Victorians!!!!! Good example o FCC selective information and he who shouts loudest etc etc.

Pls don't get me wrong I have utmost respect for my medic & physio colleagues - my sil and cousin are physios and fantastic at it, modern medicine is brilliant - we're all testimony to that or we'd be laid up in bed permanently!!

Lecture over cookies for those that made it to here!! X

Airwave!

I have the T-shirt for this one! Steroids didn't work, neither did the swimming but heat and loads of rest did help. They're just worn out, but the heat and rest help. Laying on either side is not good, neither is overusing or overextending upwards.

kentishlady

I agree that it really is a question of time and it does eventually ease, though takes its time doing so - or at least it did with me! Until you can't use an arm you just don't realise how much you rely on it for everything. Mine was my left arm and as I am right-handed it wasn't as bad as it might have been but still extremely painful and so difficult to manage to do just the simple things like showering, washing hair etc.

Do try some warmth on it, it was the only thing that gave me any relief at all (but that wasn't a lot I must admit).

Hope you can find something to help you soon.

Beryl

elnafinn

Unsure wrote:

I have suffered for years with a frozen shoulder, acupuncture helped for a while as did steroid injections. An scan showed that the tendons of the rotator cuff were damaged and am due to have it repaired in April.

PS I found that Naproxen helps the inflation.

I wish you well with your rotator cuff tear repair in April. Mine was unfortunately inoperable 2005 as the tear was so massive. I have just seen a consultant in Oxford and he said that as my range of motion is good (I have done stretching exercises every day) and it is mainly the pain and a few movements that are impossible for me he is going to give me a PRP injection. I will then do certain exercises daily that he has already given me, to strengthen the shoulder as I shall not be in pain post injection.

http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?article=1324

When arthritis sets in and according to him that will happen in the near future, again he can help me by operating. He has designed a device he uses himself. I have watched a video of the op and it was most interesting.

So hope is out there for me 8 years on. Progress has been.

Elna x