Hi all of you out there, Now I really understand constant pain and I really sympathise with you all. When I was first diagnosed it meant nothing to me I was going on holiday to a hot country and thought it would right itself. I cannot afford to stay off work, but am drugged up to the eye-balls but that does not cover the pain, I am not able to do anything I planned and have very sleep interupted nights. I am waiting to see a Surgeon , the Physio said that there was nothing they could do - I lost over 50% movement from the start, so the pain, the longevity of this condition combined makes it all very gloomy. So all the best to you fed-up people out there, I just hope that you can have a comfortable night and get some sleep.
Hi
I know what it's like. Had it 3 times in last 15 years. The first 2 months are usually the worst...I had to sleep in an armchair for weeks, propped with pillows...couldn't lie down or my arm got progressively more painful. It usually eases down in third month and lasts 10 to 12 months. If I were you, I'd think hard before any surgery, because it is usually the result of a trapped nerve , in the neck area, and I don't think they can rectify that. Try not to raise your arm above shoulder height and be careful with turning your neck to look behind or useing your arm behind you and it might just ease off quicker. Good Luck.
[Hi everyone... In a way its nice to know there are fellow sufferers out there as you can understand the pain of what I am suffering... I first started with aces and pains in january and was referred to a physio from my doc... There she was great but the pain i was suffering was un bearable... I hated bedtime as i knew i was in for a very long uncomfortable night... Now I have been told i only have 20% movement and finally I am having the adhesive capsulitis injection... I have been told what to expect but if i can get some movement and less pain then im all for it.... xxx
Push for what ever treatment you can get, i have also invested in a Vulkan shoulder strap... so far i have had a better night sleep... This high quality neoprene shoulder strap helps reduce shoulder pain, reduce swelling and accelerate healing.
Hi there I'm another frozen shoulder sufferer joining the club, wondered what it was until I read an article in the Daily Mail yesterday. The pain I experience runs all the way down my right leg as well, is this usual, all the other pain I read about is the same. I haven't been to the doctor, am just suffering in semi silence, the odd conplaint here and there. Any tips gratefully received
Hi Annie,
Ive been suffering for a few months, taking anti-inflamatories and paracetamol, but no relief. My GP refused to refer me for physio and the movement of my arm deteriorated. Finally, plucked up courage to visit my local hospital who were wonderful! They made a referral to their busy physio dept, and I waited 4-5 weeks for a consultation. It was recommended that I have cortizone to relieve the pain. Wow, within 4-5 days the pain subsided. Can't believe the relief, no more walking the floor or exercising in the middle of the night to bring relief, and have reduced the quantity of tablets. Definitely recommend the cortizone, from someone who was very reluctant. Ive now started physio, which is extremely painful, and there has been a suggestion that I may need surgery - but lets see how much movement can be achieved before the decision. Good luck to everyone - this is very debilating condition.
Hi. I have been suffering from frozen shoulder for 6 months now and am totally fed up with it, especially as 2 weeks ago I had the steroid injection and it hasn't worked..so don't necessarily pin your hopes on it!My physio has tried acupuncture but hat had no effect either. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going woth the pain and lack of sleep.
HI,
I've had frozen shoulder three times over the years. I know how painfull it can be, so I sympathise. The best way I found to deal with it, without any injections, was to find a sleeping position, whether that be in an armchair or on a sofa, with pillows, that allows some comfort for sleeping. Once you find a position that doesn't hurt, you might find that gradually it starts to ease off. Takes time, though. Maybe the healing doesn't begin until there is pain free sleep, even if it's uncomfortable. I found it bearable after the first 2 months , although the pain lingers for up to 10 months. I don't believe that the injections work for everyone...so sometimes we must take extra steps to manage it. It will disappear eventually. Try not to raise your arm above shoulder height or reach behind yourself, like you might do as a car driver, and it might help. A little experimenting with where you sleep, although unsettling at first, might help also. A couple of nurofen with some food 1 hour before sleeping might help with the worst of it. Good luck.
Hey all,
I can so sympathize with the pain your feeling. This is absolutely ridiculous! I started feeling some discomfort in June 2013, thought it might be arthritis, so I bought some aspirin and aspercreme thinking I would be fine ....nope 
July I went to see a doctor where I was misdiagnosed took some pills they offered which did not work and August when the pain became unbearable and movement became much less I went to see an orthopedic who informed me that I have adhesive capsulitis aka frozen shoulder. My first reaction was ok how do I get some relief and then that is when the bomb was dropped there is none WHATTTT!!! I was informed that this excruciating pain could last up to 3 yrs I thought that's impossible for someone to endure such pain for so long with no relief. The first sign of discomfort is the freezing stage, the point where you can not take the pain at all is the frozen stage and when you begin to feel some relief is the thawing stage. All stages hurt. I came here looking for some method of relief to find out it can return and also go to the other arm I'm praying this does not happen to me. I'm not able to work and this is very troubling for me. What does seem to bring a little comfort is heat I use a heating pad at night and a heat pack that I place in the microwave during the day it does little help but I take what I can get. Pain mostly hurrrts in shoulder, shoulder blade, middle arm, elbow, wrist and collar bone.
signed ,
so in pain 
Hi so relieved to find this forum - was beginning to think I was being a real wimp about the pain.
Though I have had pain in the shoulder for 19 months its just been the last 4 months that it has become
unbearable - I also have some nerves trapped in the neck. My doctor gave me a cortisone injection and I
Am having physio which really hurts and not sure whether this is doing me any good. Just read about kinesio tape and thought I would give that a try has anybody had a go with this?
Hi, I've just found this forum too. I've been in immense pain the past two weeks, it came out of nowhere and
hit me, wham! I cannot dress or undress without assistance, the searing pain nearly knocks me out and if someone brushes by my arm, I could cry with the pain. I feel so miserable, reading about how I could be like
this for 2 years or more. My GP has prescribed Naproxen. I am already taking Codeine, Paracetamol,
Gabapentin and Amitriptyline for my bad back and it worries me to feel so much pain despite all my meds. I have begged my GP for Cortisone injections and he has added me to his waiting list. I'd give myself one if I could get my hands on it. I am desperate and struggling to keep going at work. I don't want to take sick leave - I can't afford to be off sick for months but I doubt I will last another week without some relief. I've read it can be helped by HRT in menopausal women. Has anyone had relief with that? Also, what about Hydrodilatation?
I'm sorry to hear that you have to go on a waiting list for the cortisone injection I had to wait a while because
of some liver tests but as soon as I received those my Doctor gave me the injection - I was at the begging
Stage by then. I cannot take anything stronger than paracetamol. I have bought a tens machine from boots which was about £35 and this helps. I also use an ice pack several times a day plus my husband massages
The shoulder morning and night. I have never heard of hydro dilation so will be interested to read any comments on this. I just don't know whether to keep going with the physiotherapist.
Just wondering how all of you who have posted comments are doing. I am trying the exercises the physio recommended but can only do a few -so painful. Tried the swimming pool the other day I have always been a keen swimmer but just can't believe how my left arm just keeps floating downwards!
So glad to have found this discussion thread. I recently was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis in my dominant shoulder (after putting up with increasing pain and diminishing range of movement) for about four months, although it could even be longer. I was promptly sent off to get hydro dilation which I was so optimistic about because the doctor said so many people feel a 'popping' sensation and then almost right away, relief. Sadly, that wasn't my experience, it hurt a lot and while I did feel like I gained a little in the way of motion, the pain hasn't diminished. Sometimes I wonder if I really have AC because my symptoms aren't listed anywhere ... tense 'pinched' feeling in that muscle that runs from your neck to your shoulder; occasional tingling in my forearm and/or arm; agonizing pain if I accidently jerk my arm. The other day somebody high fived me and I nearly blacked out. Often this searing pain isn't in my shoulder but in my front upper arm. Are these familiar symptoms to everyone?
i simply cannot believe the level of pain i am having to endure and that is WITH extremely strong pain kiollers and Napraxolen. i tried doing without the pain killers yesterday, just sticking with the N, but by the evening i was nearly passing out with the pain and and am now drugged up to the eyeballs again. And to what end? So i become a junkie? Well great, that i can do without. Sorry to moan but to say that this has impacted on the quality of my life is an understatement. This on top of a horrendous menapause is just dandy. ironically since the onset of this horrible thing my menapausal symptoms have abated somewhat but maybe my hrt is finally kicking in. i have gone stir crazy and rashly thought a walk would be nice. it was nice to feel the wind on my face but every step resulted in the most unpleasant boring pain through my shoulder and arm. at the moment i can't see how i can do my job or if this condition entitles me to a period of leave. i have just started half term so i have a week to 'improve'. or do i just go to work and just endure the pain. so fed up. reading through everyones posts makes me realise i am not making this up or exagerating. What a horrible condition it is. I love the way drs brightly say 'oh yes, it will get better' and when you ask when they say oh so blithely 'Oh, between 18months to 3 years'. When the dr said that to me i thought he was joking! Clearly he wasn't. Oh well i just needed to rant a bit and to say to all you sufferers out there i so feel your pain (ha ha ha hadi ha bloody ha!). Do you know what im going to do now, have a bloody drink! x
Oh Swanara, I feel your pain! I wish I bloody didn't. Until August I'd heard of frozen shoulder and thought it meant a stiff shoulder. Nothing like the excruciating pain that is this. I take paracetamol and codeine, gabapentin and amitriptyline for a bad back and none of it touches my poorly shoulder. My GP prescribed me naproxen but I had to stop taking it despite taking ranitidine because years of eating diclofenac like smarties for my back pain has left me with a bad stomach to boot. I'm off work sick, my life is on hold, can't make any plans. Can't do my hair, shave my armpits, use a knife and fork at the dining table, take off my own coat. I've seen a surgeon and got to have capsular release surgery if no improvement within another 7 weeks. I tried going for a walk the other day to see if I can make my arm move but the shockwaves of pain with every step made me realise this was not a good idea. I hurt my upper arm months before my shoulder froze up but I am just beginning my menopause and I can feel twinges in my good arm. God forbid I get this in my other shoulder, I just can't cope with the thought. I had a steroid injection 3 weeks ago and that's not helped. I bet all the doctors who tell us how painful they know it is (how??) and how long it will last (oh, it is self-limiting and will get better on it's own, in about 18 months and fastening your own bra will be the last function you get back) have never suffered from this horribly painful condition. A drink might help actually.
I wonder, has anyone tried swimming? I am desperate to get moving and wonder if swimming would help. Despite the hairy armpits (can't raise my arm to reach/shave), will I be able to swim with only one working arm? I'm getting a grandson in March, my first grandchild and I won't be able to pick him up if I'm not better :-(
I tried swimming a few months ago (on vacation) and could manage the breast stroke and in fact I felt like it was doing my shoulder some good but don't have access to a pool now. The other thing that I've tried in the way of arm exercise is a rowing machine. Because it's all forward motion, for me at least, it's do-able. I don't know whether it will increase mobility, but am going to buy one because my upper arms (I have FS in both shoulders) are turning to mush.
Hi folks, most of you will have survived your bout of frozen shoulder so this info will not be pertinent to you. I am from Canada and am in the process of going through my second bout of frozen shoulder; started 4 years ago in my non dominant arm and has now moved to my dominant one (has been coming on for probably the better part of a year but it is the last month that it has rapidly progressed to limiting arm movement and is starting to effect my sleep. When I had it the first time I was in TERRIBLE constant pain for about 5 weeks while PTs kept trying to increase my mobility (not something you should do during the freezing stage as your shoulder will just recreate the adhesions and you will only cause more pain for yourself) which only ended up creating even more pain. Finally I was told to get a cortisone shot (not sure what the health care is like in the UK but in Canada it is free). I had two shots put in two different parts of my shoulder and IMMEDIATELY the pain and stiffness all through my neck and shoulders disappeared. 10 days later I had another doctor put one directly into the side of my shoulder and I never had a sleepless night again!! I still had mobility issues and when I had a day that I did too much (I am a mother of 3 busy boys with my own jewellery business) my arm would ache a bit (i would put a pillow under the arm pit and apply a bit of heat which would alleviate that) and over time, with not too much in the way of exercising, I even better mobility in my left arm than I had before. I am seeing the doctor that gave me the final shot on Wed and I know he will be able to help me again with my right arm. I have a busy life and business and without the cortisone shot I would not have been able to function. Frozen shoulder runs its course and will go away eventually but at the least get a cortisone shot that will significantly help you with the pain. Good luck!
Hi,
Just one question to the ones that already had a frozen shoulder in the past. How did you feel when your shoulder started thawing???Did you have any pain, did it feel numb, how exactly did it feel?
Hi after I had a cortisone injection and a weekly physio the pain started to ease. It takes a long time and you feel as though it's never going to improve. I am now able to use the arm and able to do my bra strap up! I go swimming twice a week and though the arm aches for a while after it is helping with the mobility. There is at the moment always some discomfort but I think it's just time that's going to improve this. I feel for anyone out there that has this because people don't realise what an incredibly painful and debilitating condition this is.