Frozen shoulder, any tips for sleep?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi, ive been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder, pain started about January. Tried physio but so far they wont do anything because im in too much pain. Went to Docs on Friday and he gave me 2 cortisone injections which so far havent helped. My husband bought me a tens machine which takes my mind off the pain for a while. Im on Naproxen which doesnt help. Doctor is referring me to a surgeon but wouldnt give me anything to help me sleep. Any advice would be very welcome. Thank you

2

Some questions for you...Have you had an MRI done yet?? I had one done a few months back..it showed that I had a lrg rotator cuff cuff tear, amongst many other things. My Dr did surgery but did NOT fix the tear, because he said he did not see it. I have been in a world of pain ever since, and thats with pain meds, cortisone shots, icing, tens unit, you name it. My surgeon ALSO said that I have a frozen shoulder but my pt says that I absolutely DO NOT!! I still have a tear!! From what I understand, pt's ARE the ones that are supposed to be able to fix a frozen shoulder...if not you will need surgery..😞. I am sorry you are in so much pain. If you haven't gotten an MRI, I would highly recommend you getting one. Do you have any mobility? Or is it mostly pain? If its frozen, you should barely have any mobility. Sounds like you need some strong pain meds until you can get it fixed....(your pcp should be able to help you out with that) If they refuse to, I would tell them you want to see a pain Dr!! If you truly have frozen shoulder anyone in their right mind would know that you need strong medication. It is extremely painful!!! You may need to get a new Dr even. Don't settle for pain.....It's NOT ok!!!

3

Hello 

I have had surgury 7 weeks ago for subacromial decompression , before I had an MRI scan my Dr diagnosed a frozen shoulder printed a leaflet off and told me that I just had to manage the pain

he also gave me Naproxen taken also with paracetamol and codeine

but I kept going back as I also could not sleep as I have this in both shoulders , the cheeky thing asked me if I was depressed as every tine I went I was in tears and this fir he was also to do with not sleeping,he did suggest a sleeping tablet but I asked for a non addictive one . It's worth talking to your pharmacist as they suggested a travel sickness tablet cheaper than a prescription and non addictive it's also worth talking to them regards to how and when to take your medication to get the most out of it

I really do understand the pain you are in 

today I have gone back to my surgeon who has told me that I have now developed a frozen shoulder after my op, this apparently is very common

so on the full on medication again .

but make a list of meds for the day and take advice from the pharmacy 

I went and had my MRI done privately 

I still cannot drive as do not feel safe so still off work 

FR for me could now last up to 18 months I have been told to dose up for my physio so that I can be pushed but my physio now has told me now that her mission is to keep the movement I have today and that we need to let it run its course 

but be positive in that it will get better you will get back to normal 

 

4

Hi sooo, thank you for your reply. I had an x Ray and doc says I have a frozen shoulder due to osteoarthritis. I haven't had a MRI scan. I can't raise my arm and getting dressed/undressed is difficult. I'm sure I would cope with the pain better if I could just sleep

5

Please can you describe frozen shoulder as i can not raise my arm high after a pin op to remove fractured upper humerus on 5.12.13. I am due to have pin and plate out on 29.6.15 and wonder is this the real solution. Thanks.

Kind wishes

Sue

6

Hi Tracy, I'm sorry you are in pain, it's horrible! I will take your advice and go to the pharmacist. I find my tens machine helps and also ice packs make it numb for a while but painkillers have very little effect. The though that it could last a couple of years is quite depressing!

7

get well soon both. any advice welcome.

Kind wishes

Sue

8

Im obviously not a Dr, but raising your arm up is also a sign of a tear, and most definitely so is the not being able to sleep part. Do you have ins so you can go get an MRI?? I take diazepam to help with sleep. Im able to get a few hours at a time, rather than none...(and thats with a BAD bladder). Maybe a Dr could prescribe a good sleep medicine until you get your shoulder fixed. I know frozen shoulders can take a VERY long time to heal...If you have something else going on, such as a tear, they also take some time to heal. Some can be healed with pt, n some require surgery...Have you thought about getting a second opinion? Drs makes mistakes sometimes...no one is perfect...😉

9

thanks too. My surgeon says the pin and plate are obstructing my movement. Wonder if other probs also.

10

thanks for info. Please describe pt. kind wishes Sue

11

does Dr need to fix the tear now. Also please describe pcp. thanks.Kind wishes Sue

I returned to work and now getting adaptable computer mouse and arm rest and solutions soon from health and safety assessment team, and rests too. and less pressure too.

12

My doc has referred me to a surgeon so I'm thinking he will arrange an MRI, since my x Ray I have fallen twice on my arm so hoping I've not done more damage

13

Hi Sue, I have pain mostly in the top part of my arm and wake around 2am every morning in pain and can't get back to sleep. I can't raise my arm over my head and my shoulder feels very stiff. I'm not sure if everyone with FS has the same symptoms

14

Hello FS for me is that I cannot

lift my arm straight past boob level great pain in the part of my arm that reminds me of Popye the bit that you squeeze to show off your muscles

I also cannot put my hands on my hips properly

I have had to go and buy things that don't go over my head my vest tops I pull on from the bottom and Kimonos are on trend

I cannot put my arm behind my back so for example it would be impossible to touch my bra strap at the back in fact I cannot even take it to the bottom of my spine

low jazz hands moving out kills also 

Driving with my arm at 10 to 2 kills 

the shoulder is very  painful  so it's impossible to lay on my side to sleep 

And if you lay on your good side the pain in the muscle part of you arm is a killer it's as if you don't know what to do with your arm,sometimes putting a pillow under the arm can help get you off to sleep,I think what wakes me us any movement as this brings the pain and wakes me up 

the mad thing is that no days are the same I sometimes think that it's getting really bad and then the next day feels much better

what you need to remember is that it's not forever

the pain now is nothing like the Pain after my op 

hope that helps we just need to stay positive 

if you can get your sleep sorted that is half the battle and then you can face anything

15

Hi Tracy, wow exactly the same as me! I find ice packs are helpful if you wake in the night they are the only thing that gives some relief. Yes you are right, we must stay positive, sometimes it seems never ending x

16

I use lots of pillows. I have 2 cooling pillows that I put my shoulder in between!!

17

Thank you kelli

18

Hi i also can not raise my arm above shoulder height. I have the addition of recovering from fractured upper arm now with a pin and plate. I think this may be helped by pin and plate removal on 29th June this year.

i wait to discover later if this is the solution. If not I may need MRI scan to check for rotator cuff tear and or osteo arthritis as has been mentioned here.

i certainly recommend a light pillow under the poorly arm and pain relief tablets as advised by Doctor.

Get well soon too. Kind wishes Sue

 

19

Take care Sue, hope you feel better soon

20

Thanks too.

Kind wishes and blessings Sue