Frozen shoulder

sharmaine
sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
edited 30. Oct 2010, 14:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone

It seems ages that I've posted anything! It's been 9 months since I had my TKR - things have gone well. I just need the other knee sorted.

I saw the specialist yesterday about my shoulders - I had x rays and yippee I don't have arthritis there!!!! It seems I have a frozen right shoulder and the left is going the same way. He gave me a cortisone injection. I've not slept at all this week because of chronic pain not only in my arms but my other knee .. even the painkillers couldn't touch - the bedroom smells like a rugby player's changing room. I pratically lathered my self in deep heat all week! Last night I slept like a baby. I've got to have a scan next. He says he's not going to do too much more until after my TKR. Not sure what else he's going to do.........!

So delighted that it's not OA that if I could I would jump up and down. I'll do some research on frozen shoulders - I should have asked more questions.

Have a good weekend.

Sharmaine
X

Comments

  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine, that is good news about your shoulders not having OA and how fab that you had a great nights sleep. I worked with a colleague who had two frozen shoulders, not pleasant - but is not a lifelong condition like arther and her shoulders are fine now. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Frozen-shoulder/Pages/Treatment.aspx?url=Pages/What-is-it.aspx is a good place to start with your research and discusses the injections you had.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am pleased that it isn't OA, that is good news. I can't help as to the rest of it but the good night's sleep is a boon! I hope something can be sorted out for your shoulder. DD

    PS I hope your bedroom doesn't look like a rugby players' dressing room - they are scary places. I know, I have been in one. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    I am so glad its not more arthur for you to contend with, the pain from a frozen shoulder is awful and that is putting it mildly, but the good news is it will go away, gentle exercises when you have taken your pain meds, and lots of heat or even ice.
    Hope it improves for you very soon.
    Love
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine,

    Glad the xray didn't show oa there as well. I really hope they will help free it off for you if needed but it might do it its self, especially with the cortisone jab? Has it helped at all and was it just the one you got given?

    I sort of got one fully frozen and one half way there now. They did say if they do go for intervention they leave it a few moths to see if it will free by it self. Fingers crossed yours will. Cris x
  • bertyboy
    bertyboy Member Posts: 1,860
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine glad your sholder is not as nasty as first thought i have heard cortisone injections are very good for some , pleased your tkr has been good for you x
    I know i am a lady ,all life is a journey xx MAY xx
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedy

    Thanks for this. He's going to see me again and if the scan shows up anything I may need key hole surgery. We'll see.

    I have a stiff upper arm today but no agonising discomfort as I had (collar bone and length of arm was stiff/sore etc) these past few weeks. Hopefully the injection will give me some relief.........I could do with it!!!

    He did say that arthritis in the shoulder is very rare.

    I hope you're ok.

    Sharmaine
    X
    speedalong wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine, that is good news about your shoulders not having OA and how fab that you had a great nights sleep. I worked with a colleague who had two frozen shoulders, not pleasant - but is not a lifelong condition like arther and her shoulders are fine now. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Frozen-shoulder/Pages/Treatment.aspx?url=Pages/What-is-it.aspx is a good place to start with your research and discusses the injections you had.

    Speedy
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bertyboy

    Thank you. I know you've not been too grand after your TKR.... how are you now? Yes the cortisone injection has really helped with the pain - I wish I could have one in my other knee!!! I've been useless these past couple of weeks!! :lol:

    Take care.
    Sharmaine
    X

    bertyboy wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine glad your sholder is not as nasty as first thought i have heard cortisone injections are very good for some , pleased your tkr has been good for you x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chris

    I feel ok today no pain in the right shoulder at all today thank goodness. This frozen shoulder business is dreadful - the pain seems to go on forever -the area around my collar bone and right down to my wrists hurt. I'll see how it goes over the coming weeks. I have to have a scan and he's going to review me again later.
    They didn't do anything to my left arm but that isn't as bad as the right - it's in the early stages.

    I just hope it de-frosts (ha!) and looses up in time for my next TKR).
    Isn't it a nuisance?

    Take care
    Sharmaine
    X
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine,

    Glad the xray didn't show oa there as well. I really hope they will help free it off for you if needed but it might do it its self, especially with the cortisone jab? Has it helped at all and was it just the one you got given?

    I sort of got one fully frozen and one half way there now. They did say if they do go for intervention they leave it a few moths to see if it will free by it self. Fingers crossed yours will. Cris x
  • angel1
    angel1 Bots Posts: 1,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ha Ha, this post has given me food for thought.

    I have been in a great deal of pain for the past couple of weeks, with my right shoulder. Well, actually from the collar bone, down to the elbow. Haven`t been on the Forum too much, as typing seems to kick it off. Same with driving. I just did what I always do.......blamed it on Arthur. Now I`m wondering - hoping even! - if it might be the same as Sharmaine has. I am very lax at visiting my GP for myself. Absolutely great at sending everyone else at the drop of a hat. I will have to change that, and possibly get some answers.........Ange.x.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    Glad its not OA there too :shock:

    I think frozen shoulders do 'go' dont they in the end?

    so glad you are feeling better after the jabs.

    9 months!!! It cant be that long can it?!

    Love

    toni xx
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Angel

    Do go because it only gets worse! Your pain sounds very similar to mine. I can't even hook up my bra anymore - OH doesn't mind doing it! Thankfully from all accounts it does eventually go away.
    I still have to go for a scan - I hope it doesn't reveal anything horrid.

    Take care.
    Sharmaine

    angel1 wrote:
    Ha Ha, this post has given me food for thought.

    I have been in a great deal of pain for the past couple of weeks, with my right shoulder. Well, actually from the collar bone, down to the elbow. Haven`t been on the Forum too much, as typing seems to kick it off. Same with driving. I just did what I always do.......blamed it on Arthur. Now I`m wondering - hoping even! - if it might be the same as Sharmaine has. I am very lax at visiting my GP for myself. Absolutely great at sending everyone else at the drop of a hat. I will have to change that, and possibly get some answers.........Ange.x.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barbara

    Thanks for the tip about heat and ice - I have used an ice pack but may use it more frequently alongside my wheat bag. I was delighted it wasn't more arthur. Mind you this isn't pleasant.

    Regards
    Sharmaine
    X

    barbara12 wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine
    I am so glad its not more arthur for you to contend with, the pain from a frozen shoulder is awful and that is putting it mildly, but the good news is it will go away, gentle exercises when you have taken your pain meds, and lots of heat or even ice.
    Hope it improves for you very soon.
    Love
    Barbara x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD
    No the bedroom doesn't look like one. I think it's just a relief to know what it is. Glad it isn't more arthur.

    I've put the deep heat in storage and put on fresh bedding as OH was complaining about the smell!!!

    Sharmaine
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    Glad it is not OA but the frozen shoulder does sound painful, I hope your GP can help. Not sure what the treatment is and I think they can take a while to feel comfortable but when I went to the hydro pool last year there were one or two people there with this complaint who found the gentle exercise in warm water helpful. Just thought I would mention it as a possibility.
    Hope it soon feels better.
    take care
    Chris
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine,

    Here's hoping it does unfreeze soon for you cus I know how much it hurts. I was old they do intervene after a few months but thinking about it I wonder if you could have trigger points in the mean time? they help though they don't seem to last that long after a while.

    I have arthritic shoulders and neck so for me they wont do much cus the underlying problem wont go away.....

    You hang in there and I gt the fingers crossed it will be easier tomorrow. Luv and a ((( ))) cris xx
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chris 7

    Yes I read an article online that said hydrotherapy was good.

    I've been thinking and I'm sure that I've put on strain on my shoulders these past few years. Having OA in both knees meant that I had to use my shoulders/arms to get up and into a seated position. Getting out of the car especially. We put new sofa legs on the lounge furniture and raised the furniture 4" and that has made life easier. Fingers crossed I'll be on the road to recovery in time for my next TKR.

    Sharmaine
    X
    chris7 wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine

    Glad it is not OA but the frozen shoulder does sound painful, I hope your GP can help. Not sure what the treatment is and I think they can take a while to feel comfortable but when I went to the hydro pool last year there were one or two people there with this complaint who found the gentle exercise in warm water helpful. Just thought I would mention it as a possibility.
    Hope it soon feels better.
    take care
    Chris
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chris

    That most be dreadful for you having arthur in the shoulders and neck. Just having discomfort in my arms/shoulder/collar bones was bad enough. What do you mean by trigger points?

    Thanks again for your kind words.
    Sharmaine
    X
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine,

    Here's hoping it does unfreeze soon for you cus I know how much it hurts. I was old they do intervene after a few months but thinking about it I wonder if you could have trigger points in the mean time? they help though they don't seem to last that long after a while.

    I have arthritic shoulders and neck so for me they wont do much cus the underlying problem wont go away.....

    You hang in there and I gt the fingers crossed it will be easier tomorrow. Luv and a ((( ))) cris xx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine, Cris has her trigger points done at the pain clinic, I think, I'm sure she'll tell you more.

    I self treat my own - I used to have really bad tension headaches, and borrowed a book off somone at work - the technical names of the muscles put me off at first - but actually after dipping into the book you can find the trigger points by feel. Most importantly - it worked!! Some physios and also sports masseurs also treat trigger points.

    They are small damaged/strained sections in the muscles fibres and very painful to touch - and they usually refer the pain to somewhere else. I treat them in both legs when they are playing up and in my shoulders and back too sometimes. It is a good suppliment to what you are trying already.

    The book I have is The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment for Pain Relief by Clair Davies and Amber DaviesWhilst checking the title on Amazon also noticed there is one in the same series just for frozen shoulder ...

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine,

    Mine are basically done into the muscle where it attaches to the bones... she does a fair few and I have the quite regularly. They used to be steroid but she has gone oer to botox juts now.

    Anyway the idea is it makes it relax.... it does as well but mine seems to fight back a bit and lock u again. Its a problem this muscle thing eh?

    Hope yours is feeling better gain today? they often free themselves and you could try relaxing exercises i guess? I never understood why i can relax all the muscles except the 2 shoulder ones. Told its caused by over sensitivity to pain..... They are actually either having a dummy spit or trying to help :lol::lol:

    You take care flower and fingers crossed it stops. ((( ))) Cris x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedy

    Thanks for the explanation. You're never too old to learn something new I'll look out for the book. I often say to my OH to shoot me.... !
    However, it makes perfect sense when it's explained!

    Hope you're well.

    Sharmaine
    X
    speedalong wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine, Cris has her trigger points done at the pain clinic, I think, I'm sure she'll tell you more.

    I self treat my own - I used to have really bad tension headaches, and borrowed a book off somone at work - the technical names of the muscles put me off at first - but actually after dipping into the book you can find the trigger points by feel. Most importantly - it worked!! Some physios and also sports masseurs also treat trigger points.

    They are small damaged/strained sections in the muscles fibres and very painful to touch - and they usually refer the pain to somewhere else. I treat them in both legs when they are playing up and in my shoulders and back too sometimes. It is a good suppliment to what you are trying already.

    The book I have is The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment for Pain Relief by Clair Davies and Amber DaviesWhilst checking the title on Amazon also noticed there is one in the same series just for frozen shoulder ...

    Speedy
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    It is a nuisance dealing with pain. I am better when OH is around because he's a bit of a clown and keeps me laughing - more often at mysef. I expect I'll learn more about this condition over the coming months - last week was a nightmare I didn't know which bit hurt. Having an evening off from meds and enjoying one glass of Pinot Grigio. I have forgotten how much I liked a glass of wine!

    Thanks for the explanation.

    yes, I'm certainly feeling much better today the pain in my collar bone and elbows has eased a great deal. I'm still stiff ...but it's such a relief not to be in constant pain.

    I hope you're having a good day.

    XX
    Sharmaine
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Sharmaine,

    Mine are basically done into the muscle where it attaches to the bones... she does a fair few and I have the quite regularly. They used to be steroid but she has gone oer to botox juts now.

    Anyway the idea is it makes it relax.... it does as well but mine seems to fight back a bit and lock u again. Its a problem this muscle thing eh?

    Hope yours is feeling better gain today? they often free themselves and you could try relaxing exercises i guess? I never understood why i can relax all the muscles except the 2 shoulder ones. Told its caused by over sensitivity to pain..... They are actually either having a dummy spit or trying to help :lol::lol:

    You take care flower and fingers crossed it stops. ((( ))) Cris x