I've done something horrible to myself...

[surlycurly]

So I woke up on Sunday with the most horrific pain in my shoulder. I've had a shoulder problem before (other shoulder) but this time it is like its popping out of joint when I move it a certain way. It's my left arm and I can't drive. Doc says it's a frozen shoulder. All I know is that when I move it in front of me, it locks and loses strength and is so sore I feel like I could vomit. Anyone had anything similar?

Here's something for you to try,
Bring your lower arm up and tuck your hand into the body side of your shoulder (if that makes sense). Make a fist so your arm is a close to your body as possible.
Now try to lift the whole arm forwards - lift gently with he other hand if needed, although stop if it's too painful.
It might help it 'clunk' back in if it's out a little bit.

Sorry to hear of your pain.
I had burstitis in the shoulder similar with osteoarthitis in the bendy bit, but no popping.
The GP gave cortisone injections every 3-4 mths. I used ibrupofen ointment (Feldine?), the pain killers worked, but made me tired and sleepy. Don't forget a hot water bottle at night.

You'll need gentle movement, and whatever the physio's recommend. It's a long slog, as these sort of things take longer to repair (now we are older malarkey )
You probably will have to cut down on your driving, as your shoulder will need some rest.
As to dressing, choose things easy to put on, sit down & take your time. Get your hair washed at the hairdressers.
Most of all keep the shoulder warm, but not immobile.
This will be 'a take it easy' Christmas, for you.

Thank folks. The hair thing is a particular issue- I have tonnes of the bloody stuff! Am going to risk bed now although I'm dreading it.

Usually hate the unsolicited 'it could be this' but have you heard of Ehlers Danlos OP? No idea what, if any of your other symptoms are but it is word a read up on, especially if you are due a rheumatology visit. I have a debilitating EDS and my joints public (partially dislocate) often, I am hyper mobile and have endless organ prolapses and various dysfunctions as a result- the disease can also be mild though, and there are many forms of it!

Sorry to hear of your pain. Frozen shoulder is the pits. I had it for 18 months, had to buy clothes I could pull up as no way could I get anything over my head.couldnt sleep, would forget and try to use it nearly pass out with the pain.

Physio, physio did the exercises they suggested 3 times a day and finally it unfroze. Although TBF they do say that it resolved itself so it could be that but...2 years later it seemed the other shoulder was starting so started the exercises again and it didn't last so long.

I had frozen shoulder for ages and then went on holiday and swam every day. It was difficult to start with but I was pretty much cured within the fortnight.

The trick to healing frozen shoulder - don’t let it freeze. Keep it moving.

I'm so sorry dear my poor twin hag it and it took a lot of intense physio and Rx and time

"Had it"

Horrendous pain. I had zero help with it as the Doctors and nurses I saw didn't seem to think it was anything bad as I was young (20's) and otherwise healthy. They sent me home with paracetamol...

So you have my sympathy. Glad you're going to get checked out and a steroid injection. I know people who've had great success with those for other things. I'd definitely push them on the 'weak collagen' thing. Doctors can be so casual when it comes to female pain.

Hope you feel much better soon and can at least get some sleep.

Bless you, I had a similar thing with first one shoulder and, six months after that healed, then the other. One healed much more quickly than the other (6mos vs 18mos).
I found ice and heat at least as helpful as painkillers, which didn't really touch it. It sometimes throbbed and made me weep. Once I pushed the door closed and the edge of the door lightly brushed my fingertip as I passed, which slightly pinged my arm backward by about an inch and the pain almost made me pass out.
I was taught some stretching exercises eventually, after the shoulder was feeling a bit better and I had more movement in it. My arms did get very weak and I felt a bit like a T Rex until I started doing Pilates, which helped strengthen them.
Sorry, not much practical help, just commiserations.

not a doctor OP

but also wondering if you have a partial dislocation

my best friend dislocated her shoulder and has had issues with it kind of "popping out" again and the pain you describe is similar.

whatever it is, I hope you get it sorted asap

I had this and I booked a private yoga class and I do not lie, it went WHAM back into place during the intense class.

I don't think ALL yoga teachers are capable of doing this but I just wanted to let people know that when it's better, you might try yoga.

My teacher was ancient...she'd been a yoga teacher since the 60s and was amazing...a really brilliant woman.

I don't even LIKE yoga but was advised to see this lady by a friend. That was 12 years ago and I've never had a problem since. (with my shoulder that is! Obviously I've had problems )

I had a calcified area on a tendon, after pulling it. So when I tried to lift my arm up at the sides it was agonising, as the tendon can’t run smoothly through the joint. I couldn’t sleep for long, couldn’t move my arm more than a few inches. I was given an MRI showed the calcified area and I was offered steroid injections but I left it and it did just heal over time, but it was not at all pleasant. i had a baby and a toddler at the time which didn’t help. I did have acupuncture which did help though, worth a try.

Sorry my post not v coherent as I am dog tired and about to go to bed !

The steroid injection gave me instant relief, my GP was kind enough to put some local anesthetic in it.
Wear a sling until its better, and whatever you do, do not let any helpful idiots near you if they offer to grab it and fix it for you by wrenching it free.

Sorry not RTWT but it doesnt sound like frozen shoulder to me. I have had one, as have several friends (we are all middle aged women!) and it took us all about a year or so for it to freeze. That is text book, it doesnt usually happen over night. Also the freezing part is the most painful. Its like having a permanent toothache in your shoulder.

I would be asking for a second opinion as it sounds more like what my daughter suffers. She has hypermobility and when her shoulder pops it happens immediately and is very painful for about 6 weeks until it resolves. She has to wear tape holding the joint in the right place which helps a lot.

It’s the worst pain, the GP gave me a bunch of high dose painkillers and muscle relaxants. Took one dose and was as sick a dog. Eventually I got desperate about a fortnight later and tried acupuncture and it was gone in days. I really would recommend it.

Sounds like you might have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, OP

ehlers-danlos.com/wp-content/uploads/hEDS-Dx-Criteria-checklist-1.pdf

I agree you might want to look at EDS or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, which is in the same family.

It's considered a rare condition but I suspect it's just underdiagnosed and it's not uncommon for affected people to get well into adulthood before being diagnosed.

I did, in both shoulders (at separate times). I was dx'd with Adhesive Capsulitis aka 'Frozen Shoulder'. Injections didn't do a thing. It took 6 weeks of physical therapy which included somewhat painful manipulation of the shoulder joint (to 'release' the inflamed connective tissue). But it worked and the only continuing issue is a bit less range of motion but not enough to really affect my day to day life.

New member although long-time reader, first post, and medical professional although not in osteo/physio. I have experience in what you are describing because I suffered the same for a number of years. You appear to be describing a condition known as subluxation, it's a weakening of the ligaments of the shoulder causing partial dislocation. The treatment I received was physiotherapy. There are a number of exercises that can be done through the day without impacting/preventing you doing your daily work. A couple I was advised to do (when not fighting to 'pop' the shoulder back in:

1. While seated, or standing next to a wall, bend your elbow to 90 degrees. Push your arm sideways away from your body against the wall/arm of the chair, and hold it there for the count of 5. Repeat this 3 times.
2. Stand facing a wall, arm's length away, have a tennis ball/similar pressed in the palm of your hand pressed against the wall. Roll the ball in circles left and right. Do this for 10-15 seconds each direction

Both these exercises aim to strengthen the ligaments.

I would not consider Ehlers danlos or hypermobilitt, these would have been present and obvious throughout life and not a sudden onset, though you should seek medical help of you are concerned.

Thanks, hope this is helpful. Feel free to search subluxation and physio if you wish to look up further exercises

I sympathise OP. I've had such a painful shoulder for the last 6 months and it's been getting worse. Been diagnosed as a frozen shoulder but it doesn't 'pop out'. I seem to be able to use my left arm if I'm reaching forward to do things but I cannot raise it or reach behind me and yes the pain, especially when I jar it, is nauseating. I can't do my bra up or reach up for things. I've had physio, acupuncture and an Xray (which has come back normal). I don't think I can carry on for another 2 years with pain like this. I'm going to make another GP appt and see if they will give me a steroid injection. Good luck with yours - can you let me know how you get on and if it seems to work? I hope you get some respite - it's horrendous.

With regard to pain, take the co codamol plus ibuprofen or other NSAID. Your Gp can also prescribe higher dose cocodamol than otc. The two combined have a pain relieving effect similar to that of morphine according to the nurses at the hospital, where I had major surgery. Don’t leave your treatment to the nhs wait times plus policies: Sadly lots of physio departments are now hands off and just exercises only, 6 sessions max, which is pathetic.

I had it. I declined the injection as it basically just masks the pain which comes back in a few months after it wears off, which seemed pointless to me. Physio helped but didn't cure it (it might have done if I had done it longer), so I had a Manipulation Under Anaesthetic (minor operation) followed by more physio which sorted it - you need to get referred to a specialist so it takes a while. I would really push for a referral. Mine wasn't as bad as yours sounds though, I had the immobility @SuzieSunshine describes but it didn't hurt if I didn't try to move it. But as PP have said, you need to get it moving. The procedure I had loosens the muscle up a bit so you can do more with physio, and that is the combination which seems to be effective.

Wow, thanks everyone. Slept reasonably well as if doped myself up and then propped myself up. Only woke up a few times in pain. Will push ahead with the referral to the rheumatologist as I've had problems my whole life. What was said about women's pain really resonated- I feel patronised when I turn up with yet another joint/ stomach issue. But I was like that before I finally got my autism diagnosis- I'm more a force to be reckoned with now as I know intuitively that there's a wider issue, despite how patronised I'm being. Will keep you informed today x