Frozen Shoulder

My doctor thinks I have Frozen Shoulder, all I know is I am in a lot of pain. I have been perscribed some very strong anti inflamatorys, but wonder if anyone can tell me how long I am likely to be immobilised like this and anything else about it.

Oh gosh, if it is, it's dabilitating.

The worst phase I had my shoulder and arm were completely useless, I had to get my husband and children to help me wash my hair and everything was a chalenge. The longest I had a phase was for about a month.

They should scan you too, and if necessary you will be offered a Steroids Jab, which goes directly into the shoulder joint. I wont lie, it BLOODY HURTS !!!! and the pain after for about a week is horrendous, but so much beter once it gets going.

Good luck, I hope it's not too bad. Try a hot water bottle on it also for periods, that helped me for a few minutes at a time

I had mine for almost 18 months!!! The most awful pain ever, couldn't sleep, couldn't get dressed, I feel for you!

I am totally sympathetic - massive hugs. I have had severe pain in my shoulder for months - impossible to wash, dress, etc etc and sleep, well that's a thing of the past.

Steroid jab, had one, and as Malady states not nice - and no relief for me - I hope it has a positive effect for you xxxx

It is awful as I can barely move it without excruciating pain.
I havn't a partner but did actually manage to shower and wash my hair of sorts with one hand this morning. I can't put any weight on that arm, can't sleep properly with it and trying to get dressed or go to the loo is a major feat.
The doctor as pescribed me Narproxin (sp)500mg to take twice a day and i am to take paracetamol with that as well. In two weeks I have to take both Naproxin in the morning and then Diclofenic in the evening.
Although she did say if I wasn't getting any relief with these tablets after 2 weeks I was to go back and she would send me for an x-ray to make sure I hadn't broken my shoulder.
I did look on the internet about Frozen shoulder and it said it can last 2-3 years . Surely not. She wanted to sign me off work but I can get by, just, using one arm and there is no way if what I have read is right she could sign me off that long.

I don't mean to sound negative, but like me your GP has said they think it is this..... mine is said to be arthritis Both my oh and I are having second thoughts on this. We are currently awaiting the results from 3 tests, and hoping that the specialist appointment will be altered and sooner rather than later.

Have you ever injured your shoulder ? Could be an injury from years back ?

I'm on Diclofenic and for me it is doing nothing. Please don't suffer too long with this as it really is dabilitating, if it has no relief for you ask for a scan asap xxxxx

Like Trixybid said, it can last for a long time. I've had it on and off for phases, since I was 15 and was told it was due to damage to strain from when I was bitten badly by a dog and being strug up for so long, although I don't think they were 100% sure !

I didn't want to sound too negative, but often the Injections do nothing at first, and yes it can last a lifetime, there is no straight 'cure' !

I've had 4 Steroid Injections and a 'Gold' one (not recommended for the pain factor !!), but so far I just get small bouts now and again but livable.

I do feel for you

Edited to add : A frozen shoulder doesn't just hurt when moved, it has a very heavy, dull pain constantly all the time, almost like someone has tied weights to your arm and is pulling down on it, and almost every sitting or lying position hurts. I just thought I would say because some people often confuse frozen shoulder with shoulder strain, which can seem the same apart from the above. I hope this helps

Yes i've got that dull throbbing achey heavy feeling when I manage to lay comfortably in bed.

Oh well bang goes me joining the gym this year

I have suffered with a Frozen Shoulder for yrs....it resulted after a fall . About two yrs ago, I had it manipulated under Anesthetic, it is the only thing that has helped...I still know it is there, I am just very careful when lifting my left arm. But I can now lift it, not as high as my right, , I am always aware of it.

The Cortisone injection did not help me.... in the Early days Physiotherapy helped...... have you tried that

I would recommend you do, 3 or 4 sessions is usually enough.....but if your shoulder is a s bad as you say, even that will be an ongoing thing.....I had Physio for a couple of years, every 4/6 months.....but in the end that stopped working , went for the injection (it was not as painful as I expected) ,and that was useless, so in the end my specialist recommend surgery.

What they do is, put you under anesthetic, and manipulate your arm , basically pulling and stretching it into all the normal positions you have not Been able to reach. It hurt like hell afterwards , but pain relief helped.....but I have to say it was well worth it....I can now use my arm , wash /dry my hair, fasten my bra carry shopping and lift things. I couldn't do any of those things before. It is still there, I just feel my left arm and shoulder is slightly weaker.

Good luck, until you have suffered with a true frozen shoulder , You don't realise how dabilitating it is.

i had two very bad flare ups of my frozen shoulder and gosh, its like nothing i have ever experienced. Apart from the horrible pain the helplessnes of not being able to dress was head-wrecking!

i had two steroid injections in conjunction with physio and was fairly happy.

after a car accident last year i went to a chiropractor for my back and within minutes he had spotted my shoulder problem. after about 30 sessions (yes 30 at 40 euro each!) my shoulder now feels as normal as the other - something i havent felt for over 11 years!

if you can find a good recommended chiropractor it could save you years of pain and frustration - i only wish i knew then that these guys dont just fix backs! It is very expensive but i had other injuries from the accident so you may find you need less sessions - im sure you will find it money very well spent!

good luck