Frozen Shoulders, anyone, help!

zef

Has anyone ever experienced a frozen shoulder, and if so , did the pain fully go away?
I was diagnosed with this a few weeks ago by the GP, but its actually getting worse, and now have v. little strenght in right arm, and practically no mobility.
My right shoulder is much worse than the left one, (which is also frozen, but not as bad.)
Given painkillers, anti-inflammatories (ponstan forte) and valium three times a day too loosen it up, and told to go to physio as if it does not improve i will need some sort of op.

My question to those of you who may have had it, or had family members etc with it, is how do you cope with cleaning, cooking, shopping for food etc?
I can't drive atm, I can barely type, I cannot lift my arms, and have been advised against carrying shopping home/ lifting etc.

Any info on this much appreciated, I am a single mum to 2 boys and the house is starting to fall apart!

not yet

I've spoken to two people in the past week who have or have had it. The first guy went to accupunture, holistic, phyiso, etc etc. in the end he had to be put under to have it sorted, he is now like a new man. the 2nd suffered really badly for months and ended up going to a russian doctor in blackrock clinic who worked completey differently to anything he had been told but swear she ''fixed'' him. All in all it seems like sopmething that does not just go away.

zef

Thanks. Yeah, Its a bit of a nightmare allright.
Unfortunately I am on the medical card system, and will be waiting a few weeks to start physiotherapy. Thanks for your reply, I will look into the cost of private treatment.

LegacyUser

I have used a powerplate machine in one of the local gyms for doing specific strengthening of the shoulder. and also used it for massage.

I also cut out using the laptop particularly when i wasn't sitting correctly at the desk.

Lastly I adjusted my sleeping position to take pressure off my shoulder, and used a single nice pillow and try to stretch out my shoulder.

So I have gone from 8/10 pain scale to 4/10 in the past 2-3 weeks.

eire1

My mam suffered with that. It got worse as the weeks went on, she ended up going private. She had the procedure done in The Hermitage, was only in overnight. I think it was around €2,000, but I'd have to double check that. A few days rest and a few physio sessions later it was all grand.

RUCKING FETARD

eire1 wrote: »

My mam suffered with that. It got worse as the weeks went on, she ended up going private. She had the procedure done in The Hermitage, was only in overnight. I think it was around €2,000, but I'd have to double check that. A few days rest and a few physio sessions later it was all grand.

It's not actual surgery though is it? They just knock you out and do 360 degree motions to break up Scar Tissue/Free it up ain't it?

Mam had it aswell, went itself after about 6 weeks.

Get tested for Diabetes OP, more common in women with Diabetes I remember reading.

not yet

RUCKING FETARD wrote: »

It's not actual surgery though is it? They just knock you out and do 360 degree motions to break up Scar Tissue/Free it up ain't it?

Mam had it aswell, went itself after about 6 weeks.

Get tested for Diabetes OP, more common in women with Diabetes I remember reading.

100 % The guy I know said they knock you out ( in a humane way, no hammers) and pull your shoulder round like a rag doll as he put it, said he is like a 21 yr old since.

Smidge

Have had it six years and no relief(no money to go private)so just use hot/cold compresses when it gets too much and strong pain killers

not yet

Smidge wrote: »

Have had it six years and no relief(no money to go private)so just use hot/cold compresses when it gets too much and strong pain killers

I've had trouble with my shoulder for about 3 months. Done 6 sessions of physio @ 55 euro a time (waste of money) I'm still not sure if it is frozen shoulder and I'm kinda hoping it goes away on it's own, silly I know but I dread to think of the wait involved if I go to a GP about it. Don't have the cash to go private.

eire1

not yet wrote: »

100 % The guy I know said they knock you out ( in a humane way, no hammers) and pull your shoulder round like a rag doll as he put it, said he is like a 21 yr old since.

Yeah, that's what my mam had done too.

not yet

eire1 wrote: »

Yeah, that's what my mam had done too.

How is she now...

zef

Apart from being painful, and so limiting as to what one can do (think twice before vacuuming, you will regret it 5am next morning) it is a head-melt.

I got Arcoxia Painkillers , something for the stomach so the painkillers don't cut the stomach out of me (strong NSAIDS) , and difene spray, it is pretty good.

Not yet, you should go to your GP asap- i was scolded for leaving it so long about going. Best of luck.

eire1

not yet wrote: »

How is she now...

She is fine, it was about a year ago when she had the surgery. She was sore for a few weeks after, but after rest and maybe 8-10 physio sessions she was grand. Haven't heard her complain about it since.
She had it done privately in The Hermitage.

not yet

zef wrote: »

Apart from being painful, and so limiting as to what one can do (think twice before vacuuming, you will regret it 5am next morning) it is a head-melt.

I got Arcoxia Painkillers , something for the stomach so the painkillers don't cut the stomach out of me (strong NSAIDS) , and difene spray, it is pretty good.

Not yet, you should go to your GP asap- i was scolded for leaving it so long about going. Best of luck.

I know, but I cant stand the thought of 2 year waiting lists....

It's funny I can play golf, have certain movement no proble but if I move a certain way my whole arm just shuts down for 30 sec with intense pain.

zef

My son needed to see the dr today, so brought him to GP.
The arcoxia tablets are not working at all, and was warned not to take them with ponstan - but today i took the arcoxia upon waking as usual.
My son spoke to the dr about his chest inf, then when she was finished with him i asked if i could speak to her for a moment. She looked most displeased and said 'just for one second'
I explained my shoulders were very sore and i am not coping with the pain.
She told me i'll be fine with physio, (whenever that comes thru) and then gave mew the bums rush out of the office. Am only a med card patient so i guess i'm not 'worth' much to them. I wanted to talk to her properly as i am not coping with this and i'm sick of going on about itm, i d cut my flippin arms off if i thought it'd get rid of the gnawing pain i get 24-7.
Sorry big moan & vent, but i'm very upset. I even considered going to a&e with the pain, but no point in doing that. My dr is very bossy and patronising and even my son noticed how she treated me.
Frozen shoulders really take it out of you at times

p.s- i have the medical card almost a year- i have ONLY used it 3 times in 6 weeks over my shoulders , i dont just go up there if i feel like a chat

username123

I know you have a nominated doctor with the medical card, but it sounds as though the doctor is not treating you properly (and Im not talking about medical treatment, Im talking about treating you with a bit of courtesy and respect).

Can you change GP? And report the current one to the medical council for their dismissive attitude?

Re the frozen shoulder - never had it but my father in law was diagnosed with it and he used to find floating in the swimming pool and letting the water take the weight of his arm and move it gently helped a bit.

zef

username123 wrote: »

I know you have a nominated doctor with the medical card, but it sounds as though the doctor is not treating you properly (and Im not talking about medical treatment, Im talking about treating you with a bit of courtesy and respect).

Can you change GP? And report the current one to the medical council for their dismissive attitude?

Re the frozen shoulder - never had it but my father in law was diagnosed with it and he used to find floating in the swimming pool and letting the water take the weight of his arm and move it gently helped a bit.

Hi, thank you for your kindness, am upset and in pain. She indicated for my son to stay in the consulting room while she 'answered my query'. What if it had been something personal?
Last time i was there she made me feel really stupid, i told her i was having trouble managing housework/ cooking etc, she suggested (in such a patronising way) that i should peel potatoes 'like so' in front of the tv.
I would like to report her- the reason i had no med card for 2 years was my gp retired & all his patients sent to her. I tried changing when i realised what she was like but the other dr was several miles away. So i didnt renew it for a few years- id rather pay than see this crowd. Not an option atm so i renewed it in 2011.
*sigh rant over*
Good idea about the swimming pool- i haven't been up there (NAC) in ages, ill give it a go
Thanks for validating what i posted- I am wondering what sort of help i can get after being turned away by my GP...

username123

This link gives lots of information regarding medical cards and doctors etc...

To address issues in order of priority:
The shoulder - well theres a few options. You could make a new appointment with your awful GP and restate that the pain is unbearable and that you either need more pain relief or faster physio or a second opinion or something. Bring someone assertive with you to such an appointment, I bet you will find the doctor is less of a patronising bully with witnesses.

Or you could pay another doctor to have a look at it - a nice doctor.

Or you could go to A&E - the advantage of that is that they will give you the full once over including x-rays - disadvantage is the lengthy wait!

Or to a private health clinic like VHI swiftcare, but thats pricey.

On the GP - please get a new GP who isnt a nasty patronising bully!!
On the link above is the address to complain to for the medical council. Please do!

Alternatively you can try the suggestions here regarding pain relief, but really I think its appalling that you are just being left in pain because a GP is a bully!

JasperKat

zef wrote: »

Has anyone ever experienced a frozen shoulder, and if so , did the pain fully go away?
I was diagnosed with this a few weeks ago by the GP, but its actually getting worse, and now have v. little strenght in right arm, and practically no mobility.
My right shoulder is much worse than the left one, (which is also frozen, but not as bad.)
Given painkillers, anti-inflammatories (ponstan forte) and valium three times a day too loosen it up, and told to go to physio as if it does not improve i will need some sort of op.

My question to those of you who may have had it, or had family members etc with it, is how do you cope with cleaning, cooking, shopping for food etc?
I can't drive atm, I can barely type, I cannot lift my arms, and have been advised against carrying shopping home/ lifting etc.

Any info on this much appreciated, I am a single mum to 2 boys and the house is starting to fall apart!

I hope this will give another perspective:
My wife had this dreadful pain in her left shoulder which came on over the course of a couple of wks & gradually got worse, she had limited mobility (couldn't move arm away from her side).
After weeks of pain & lack of sleep she had to do something....
GP told her it was frozen shoulder (in the frozen stage) & recommended a course of physio. So she went privately to a guy we'd both been to before for osteopathy & acupuncture.

The Physio/accupuncture helped for a few weeks (@ €60 a go it isn't cheap) but only eased the pain for a short time & we knew it wasn't getting any better. (she would often walk around the house in the middle of the night crying with pain, tablets only eased it slightly). She couldn't work.

Back to GP who referred her to hospital consultant, she was seen at St. Michaels within 6wks & the consultant recommended cortisone injection into the shoulder. He said that he'd normally do it in his next consultation or day clinic but because of her medical history she'd have to be a day-hospital patient.

Wife got a hospital app. within 4wks. She went in at 7am & was out by 4pm, the shoulder was numbed & she didn't feel a thing!
She said for the next few days the shoulder was sore like she'd been punched hard but after that it was completely normal & she's never had a days pain since... that was in March '11 :D:D:D:D

I hope this gives you hope that there is light at the end of the pain!
Jasper

zef

Thanks for all your advice. I was prescribed Lyrica today and its really helpful in every way - pain and mood wise.
Only thing , It was a private script and I was afraid to go near the first dr to get it changed to GMS (free- or 50c rather) so ended up costing me 55e for a weeks medication! One shouldn't be afraid of one's gp, I will def bring a clued in friend next time i have to see her. Also looking into changing drs.

So far Lyrica is the best thing I have found, altho theres a way to go yet.
I find with the nearly constant pain I was in no mood for anything, bright lights or loud music / sounds became unbearable. I was going to go to a&e the other night, the pain was excruciating, felt like something was gnawing at my bones, but then thought i'd look like an eejit in a&e with everyone else in bits.

Anyway, thats the frozen shoulder update from me this week. Anyone got any more tips or experiences of this, would love to hear them. I heard jacussis are good, I dont have one though

Yank67

zef wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice. I was prescribed Lyrica today and its really helpful in every way - pain and mood wise.
Only thing , It was a private script and I was afraid to go near the first dr to get it changed to GMS (free- or 50c rather) so ended up costing me 55e for a weeks medication! One shouldn't be afraid of one's gp, I will def bring a clued in friend next time i have to see her. Also looking into changing drs.

So far Lyrica is the best thing I have found, altho theres a way to go yet.
I find with the nearly constant pain I was in no mood for anything, bright lights or loud music / sounds became unbearable. I was going to go to a&e the other night, the pain was excruciating, felt like something was gnawing at my bones, but then thought i'd look like an eejit in a&e with everyone else in bits.

Anyway, thats the frozen shoulder update from me this week. Anyone got any more tips or experiences of this, would love to hear them. I heard jacussis are good, I dont have one though

Hi..I know this is an old post. But what did you eventually do? I have a frozen shoulder. I was in excruciating pain and found magnesium gel helped massively! The pain is no longer there unless I move in an awkward way. But even they bit of pain is nothing near to what I did have. I have gone back to fitness classes after 6 months, but have to adjust certain exercises. I still can't lift my arm very far.
Did you eventually get sorted.. Did it unfreeze???