i have been suffering with frozen shoulder for going on four months now. I am now receiving physio theropy, acupuncture weekly. But I can't sleep. No pain medication works at all. I use a tens machine daily. I can only lift my right arm up sideways about 30 degrees, I cannot reach behind my back and can barely lift to do my hair without being in a lot of pain. Any help or advice would be highly appreciated.
Hi
I would recommend Hydrodilatation. A google search will tell you about it or there are some threads on here talking about it.
I had it about a month or so ago and I now have almost a complete range of movement back and no pain.
It's horrible. I suffered thru just like you for 5 months. At that time I was told it was frozen. Pain is 90 percent better and working on getting movement back. Only thing that helped me was ice! I nearly kept it on 24/7.
I did get the cortisone and anesthetic shot in the joint but sadly it did nothing. I'm glad you are doing well.
So approximately how long were you at your worst would you say before you felt improvement if you don't mind my asking?
It was horrible for five solid months. Nothing I didn't try. 3 injections, tens unit, dry needling, acupuncture, massage, therapy, Cryohouse. Nothing helped at all but time. In five months pain went from 12 to a 2-3.
Thank you
Hi Teresa:
I feel your pain. I've only had FS for 3 weeks, and it's been hell. I've just started a tens machine yesterday .... hoping it helps sooon of course. I use tiger balm... it's strong and really loosens the pain up a bit... not so painful for a while it seems.. just one thing that may help? Or have you tried that already??
I have tried several other creams but not that one, but I am willing to try anything. I am 48 and I have never felt such pain as this and the fact that it's a long term problem is such a daily burden. I am going back to work as a school librarian in a couple of weeks and I'm worried I won't be able to do my job the way I want to. Thank you so much for your help. I will go get some now.
So Kelly I did get Tiger balm and I think it has taken my mind off the pain a little so thank you so much!
Well i hope that it helps a little
So strong... just don't get it near your eyes!!!
Let me know if any relief
I'm 50 and have 2 jobs, one is very physical, so I've had help from family, thank gawd.
I know what your talking about regarding the pain. Thru the roof !
I wish you well
Oh thank gawd for a little relief?!?!?
Keep using it and try the tens machine as well ( probably not at same time, not sure how the sticky pad stuff will react to the tiger balm...
Good luck and I'm always around if need to vent!!!!
Thank you so much for your help, much appreciated ❤️
Hi Teresa,
I had frozen shoulder in BOTH shoulders. It was so horrible. I am left arm dominant. I went to the orthopedist who sent me to get a cortizone injection under x-ray that day. A few weeks earlier I had seen a different ortho, whose physicians' assistant gave me a cortizone into the muscle (similar to a regular shot). I asked for pain relief as the frozen shoulder was still in the painful stage and excruciating! Her reply was "Take Motrin or Aleve." To which I relplied, "Did you actually read my medical record? I have been taking this medication for several weeks and I actually should not take this type of medication over a long time due to to family history of kidney disease." Anyhow, after almost a year of horrible pain, the only thing that has helped is cortizone under x-ray right into the joint. I am the biggest baby when it comes to injections and it didn't hurt a bit. When I has the left shoulder done they put a contrast dye in as well to check for rotator cuff tears, that hurt a bit I won't lie. But, when they did the right shoulder, just cortizone, it didn't hurt a bit. Now, I am pain free and my range of motion is almost fully back.
Best of luck. Bug your orthopedist for cortizone if they have not offered it, or go to an orthopedist that deals with frozen shoulder.
Holly
So, I had frozen shoulder (actually in both shoulders) for which I went to physical therapy. I found PT made my frozen shoulder worse!
By the way...I forgot to say that initial cortizone into the muscle was absolutely useless. I finally got relief from cortizone under x-ray. My orthopedist wanted to do the most minimally invasive approach first and I am so relieved it worked.
Thank you, I have had the cortisone without x-ray and it has done nothing. Pain killers do nothing. It's good to talk with people who truly know and understand the pain. I am now five months in and I dread going to bed as I know I'm not going to sleep well. I can barely do my hair and dressing is so painful. Thank you for your help and advice.
Teresa,
Ask you r orthopedist to do the cortisone under x-ray (I think it is called fluoroscopic). I wish I had done it so much earlier. The pain at night was horrible. I didn't sleep for months which is a terrible way to live. I still don't have 100% range of motion but it is dramatically improved and at least it is not painful anymore.
Best,
Holly
I have had FS for 2 months. Pain has subsided a bit but my ROM is getting worse. Has any one tried supplements? I'm taking glucosomine , Omega -3, and magnesium. I have been drinking tumeric and ginger tea. That initially helped quite a bit. I had pain relief in about ten minutes. I have also had acupuncture and laser therapy. The laser therapy also seemed to help. I had a shot im my shoulder last week . Made it worse. There are some good you tube videos. Any suggestions for sleep?
I did watch a youtube video on sleeping positions. Said to sleep on your back and have lots of pillows. That does help some.
I am at the point of deciding between the chiropractor or PT. From all of my research , there seems to be a right/wrong time for PT. I was hoping my trip to the Dr. last week would point me in the correct direction. But the Dr. couldn't be bothered to discuss my condition with me.
It is frustrating. FS is a painful and expensive condition
Also, I have made turmeric tea. I mix about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon into almond milk. Heat and drink. I did this every night to help reduce inflammation and promote sleep. I think it helped. \
Here is the recipe I followed:1/2 cup turmeric powder1/2 cup filtered water (no fluoride)1 ½ tsp black pepper5 TBSP virgin coconut oil In a stainless steel pot, combine water, turmeric, and black pepper. It should make a thick paste. Cook and stir for 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add virgin coconut oil, using a whisk to fully mix in the coconut oil. Finally, transfer to a glass jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator. To use, whisk 1 teaspoon Golden Paste to 2 cups milk of choice, warmed (or the coconut oil will congeal). Add molasses, vanilla, and cinnamon to taste.
My notes: This recipe makes a lot, so consider cutting it in half. Use it up in 2 weeks or less. I shook about 1/4 to 1/2 t of paste into a ramekin sized container of almond milk, heated it, and sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top. It was tasty and it helps reduce inflammation and promote sleep. My frozen shoulders are no longer painful and I have about 70-80% of my ROM back. I still drink my turmeric tea to promote restful sleep and good health.
Keep me posted if you decide to try it.
Holly
heat the almond milk first ...and then shake in the paste. It mixes better that way