Also off my bike for a while... I think... now definitely!

[vickster]

Oh dear, but hopefully it can be worked on quickly

My shoulder feels a bit better. Movement is still quite restricted in terms of reaching behind my back. Physio acupunctured me again on Wednesday. Next week she's going to start working on getting my shoulder retracted and shoulder blades into the right position.

I had a sports massage a couple of weeks back which at least helped my stiff neck, deuce my best efforts to wreck it again the next day (long story)

My hand is still giving me gip, as are my knees, onward and upwards eh. Still trying to cycle at least 100 miles a week though!

 

[Ganymede]

Oh dear, but hopefully it can be worked on quickly

My shoulder feels a bit better. Movement is still quite restricted in terms of reaching behind my back. Physio acupunctured me again on Wednesday. Next week she's going to start working on getting my shoulder retracted and shoulder blades into the right position.

I had a sports massage a couple of weeks back which at least helped my stiff neck, deuce my best efforts to wreck it again the next day (long story)

My hand is still giving me gip, as are my knees, onward and upwards eh. Still trying to cycle at least 100 miles a week though!

Massage is wonderful isn't it. My sister recommends one of those infra-red things you can plug in and wear while you're sitting down. I'm looking into getting one.

As you say, onwards and upwards....

 

[vickster]

Hmm I have to say sports massage done properly hurts. The masseur said I should go every week, but I have to pay and there are more enjoyable things to spend on

A wheat pack can be soothing as a cheap alternative

 

[vickster]

@Ganymede How's your shoulder doing?

I'm off to see the specialist again tomorrow as mine isn't getting better, it did for a bit with physio, but has flared up again and I'm fed up with it!
Private HC won't cover any more physio at this point so I'll see what the specialist suggests, I expect a steroid jab as we discussed last time. I shall probably walk to the hospital rather than drive or cycle (it's only a mile) as both could be challenging with a wibbly numb shoulder / upper arm!

 

[Ganymede]

@Ganymede How's your shoulder doing?

I'm off to see the specialist again tomorrow as mine isn't getting better, it did for a bit with physio, but has flared up again and I'm fed up with it!
Private HC won't cover any more physio at this point so I'll see what the specialist suggests, I expect a steroid jab as we discussed last time. I shall probably walk to the hospital rather than drive or cycle (it's only a mile) as both could be challenging with a wibbly numb shoulder / upper arm!

Hi Vickster, thanks for asking. You are right not to cycle as you might get what happened to me the first time I had a steroid jab, I got a "steroid flare" which made my arm going completely limp.

However: take note of how much actual extra relief/improvement you get. Mine was honestly not that much, the second one made no difference and then I got a third mega-one guided under x-ray with added water to open the joint, which was not only the MOST EXCRUTIATING THING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED but also made no difference either after the initial effect had worn off. They add local anaesthetic so it's easy to thing you are CURED! CURED!!!! HEALED FOR EVER!! the minute they do it!

Mine is still frozen but I have moved on from the most painful phase. My doc gave me amytriptaline for the referred nerve pain (at my suggestion actually!) and as you take it at night it conks you out so if you are missing sleep because of it (which boy oh boy was I) this helps. If you get this drug let me know and I will give you some tips as it can make you woozy.

At least I can ride my 'bent, though I am steering clear of my upwrong as I would not want to lean forward on my arm like that.

I was getting very stiff from compensating for my shoulder and had a wonderful gentle session with my osteopath the other day which has improved life too. Still a total drag but not so awful and distressing as before!

Good luck!

 

[vickster]

Yes, I've had steroid jabs before (elbow, hand and knee), with and without success. I realise even if they help it's just temporary and hence, I'm not over enthused (have waited 4 months since the diagnosis). The other thing I can ask about is platelet rich plasma, this specialist has given it me to before for tennis elbow, it didn't help but that was a much more fubar'ed tendon! Now that does hurt, as they can't use any anaesthetic as it kills the cells

I still have pretty good movement through the range albeit with obvious pain at certain points. Sleep isn't too much of a problem, I am much more sore first thing though, at the time I am trying to do my bra up (I can't get used to that front fastening and twist round method)! My arm does feel heavy and achy a lot of the time, and it's preventing me from doing the physio for my knees fully and using a foam roller for my legs as I can't put my not insubstantial weight through my arm for long

Joints and tendons are the bane of my life!

 

[cyberknight]

Feck
Hope @Ganymede and @vickster get sorted asap .

 

[Dayvo]

It costs a lot of money, but I swear by the pain genie: http://www.paingenie.com/

I'd had a dodgy back for many years (propping - rugby -, hod carrying, fast bowling - cricket, not bowls) and then a frozen shoulder in both shoulders (the right one being the worst), had some treatment last winter, plus regular shoulder/back massages, and the pain and inhibition has disappeared.

I will be buying one myself in the autumn to treat a few more troublesome aches, but I absolutely recommend them.

 

[vickster]

No steroid jab, but need to have an MRI. Possible labral tear. Different presentation to before and very crunchy shoulder

 

[Ganymede]

No steroid jab, but need to have an MRI. Possible labral tear. Different presentation to before and very crunchy shoulder

Oh dear. But a good diagnosis is absolutely key. I'm often surprised at how long they wait to do an MRI - I know they're expensive but they can save so much messing around and useless lesser treatments. I hope you get the right treatment soon!

It costs a lot of money, but I swear by the pain genie: http://www.paingenie.com/

I'd had a dodgy back for many years (propping - rugby -, hod carrying, fast bowling - cricket, not bowls) and then a frozen shoulder in both shoulders (the right one being the worst), had some treatment last winter, plus regular shoulder/back massages, and the pain and inhibition has disappeared.

I will be buying one myself in the autumn to treat a few more troublesome aches, but I absolutely recommend them.

That's interesting - I am using an infra-red heat pad which is really soothing but I will have a proper look at that website. Always good to hear from a fellow sufferer, even though I feel very sorry for your suffering - one frozen shoulder is horrible, two is just ghastly, so sympathies.

 

[vickster]

I do have private healthcare though and they signed off on the MRI ages ago. He did diagnose the tendonitis with ultrasound. However, the presentation has changed and he is now thinking it could be a posterior labral tear, with a cyst sitting on the nerve, rare but not unheard of. Jeez

MRI should be in the next week, with another appointment booked for next Wednesday to review and discuss

 

[fossyant]

Let's see what the MRI says.

My shoulder decompression was the best thing I did, but it took 18 months to be what I expected. They say 3 to 6 months, but if you are used to being very active, then it's loads longer as it doesn't settle quite as much. Yeh a sofa spud would be happy. You realise your expectations are higher. It does get there.

 

[vickster]

I won't be able to do anything surgical for 6 months for work reasons so here's hoping that's not the only treatment!

 

[Ganymede]

Let's see what the MRI says.

My shoulder decompression was the best thing I did, but it took 18 months to be what I expected. They say 3 to 6 months, but if you are used to being very active, then it's loads longer as it doesn't settle quite as much. Yeh a sofa spud would be happy. You realise your expectations are higher. It does get there.

This is really true. My info sheet for my decompression said heavy lifting after 4 weeks which is bolux. I pointed this out to the consultant and he was a bit alarmed that the sheet said that *rolls eyes so hard they hurt*. My feeling is that in order to recover quickly you have to become very inactive. I went hiking 4 weeks after my op and found that surprisingly painful, from the need to swing your arms or use a stick!

Good luck @vickster and let us know what they tell you. More hugs!

 

[fossyant]

I won't be able to do anything surgical for 6 months for work reasons so here's hoping that's not the only treatment!

stuff work to some extent... I'm NHS but when/if my op comes up I will get it. It may stop my sickness record of single days being off work sick less. My managers have been good as they know the pain I am in everyday, but I get clear ups, that I take more and more pain killers that they don't see, then I get up one morning and can't do it. A day in bed helps. Back next day feeling like crap but I do it.