Shoulder extreme pain

[Lexibabe1234]

Has anyone experienced anything similar with a shoulder injury? Really looking for some advice.
My husband has had a weak shoulder for a while and also suffers from arthritis in his neck.
About six weeks ago, he was at the gym doing a heavy lift when he heard a pop, almost as though something had gone in his shoulder or a muscle had spasmed. He was immediately in agony. It was extremely painful, although initially bearable.
Unfortunately, about two weeks later, he was moving something heavy and, rather stupidly, used that same arm. Something pulled again and it made things considerably worse.
He’s been managing the pain since then, although it’s been pretty bad. He’s been seeing a physio and has a scan booked for this week.
However, last night, completely out of nowhere, the pain became absolutely horrendous. He described it as feeling like someone was stabbing him in the back. I’ve honestly never seen him in pain like it. He’s not someone who complains or even normally takes paracetamol, but he was literally climbing the walls.
We actually went to A&E last weekend because the pain was so bad, but yesterday was on another level altogether. Today it’s still no better.
He’s reluctant to go back to A&E because he’s got a private ultrasound booked through work tomorrow. When he went last weekend, they said they would only do an X-ray, as he could still move his arm, and didn’t offer an ultrasound.
The pain is just getting progressively worse, which is worrying me. He says it feels like nerve pain and that it’s similar to the sciatica he experienced a few years ago, only considerably worse.
He’s been prescribed naproxen but stopped taking it because it made him feel a bit odd. He’s restarted it again yesterday in the hope it might help, but obviously it’s too early to know. He’s also taking codeine, but even that isn’t touching the pain.
I suppose I’m wondering whether anyone else has experienced anything similar? Particularly where a shoulder injury has been painful for four or five weeks and then suddenly become significantly worse.
Could it be a trapped nerve, a tendon or muscle tear, or something else entirely?
I’m just really concerned because the pain seems so extreme and is getting worse rather than better.
Any advice or experiences would be hugely appreciated. Thank you so much

Heart attacks can cause shoulder pain. Has that been checked since the extreme pain started?

Thankyou its been a fluctuating pain on and off for weeks just last night peaked . has has dr appts so dont think heart related. Thank you x

Sounds awful they'll do nothing but x-rays! I'd go back. Someone on here, with something that sounded far less severe, was apparently only given an MRI because her husband was a doctor.
So I would go back, and ask for reasons in writing why they can't do more for you. Maybe get a private appointment in addition to the scan if you can afford it.

Cervical radiculopathy and/or rotator cuff tear.
will need mri to assess the spine, though.
return to urgent care explaining worsening and unbearable pain not controlled by medication. Needs ortho assessment.

I injured my shoulder at the gym some months ago. After a few weeks of increasing pain, I saw a physio, who diagnosed a specific tendon strain. She said it probably happened because of weakness in a set of muscles supporting the shoulder, and I needed to focus on strengthening those muscles before I did any more weight-bearing exercises involving my shoulders. She prescribed certain exercises and a complete avoidance of other exercises.

But it got worse and worse, until my shoulder froze. I cannot begin to describe what a deceptive name that is for the condition. I have had nerve pain from a bulging disc, and the pain from a frozen shoulder is as bad. The NHS does not treat frozen shoulder, as it apparently resolves itself - in 1.5 to 3y! I wasn't willing to wait that long in such restrictive pain, so I paid for several sessios of private physio. They made a massive difference, though my shoulder is still not back to normal. It pops painfully from time to time, and I still have to be very careful how I use my arm.

It is very common for a shoulder injury to develop into frozen shoulder, especially if you are 'older' or already have a joint condition. I wonder whether that is what is happening to your dh. It is good that he is having a scan tomorrow. Who will be reviewing the scan? Can he access physio through work, too?

It is important that he takes his pain relief regularly. PR works better if you stay topped-up, rather than only take it when you're desperate. Rather than take both the naproxen and the codeine at the same time, he might feel better if he alternates. If he takes them at 6h intervals, for example, then he could try taking the naproxen (with food), then 3h later the codeine, then 3hr later the naproxen (with food), then 3hr later the codeine, and so on. He might find it more tolerable that way. Personally, I would finish the day with codeine (drowsy), and start with naproxen (non-drowsy). Another thing that might help is alternating heat packs and ice packs.

If he's taking codeine, he may need to take a laxative as well.

Agree, I had similar - turned out to be a disc that had shifted plus multiple tears (including rotator cuff), ended up briefly in HDU (via A&E) to control and stabilise pain.

Naproxen should only be taken every 12 hours.

Admittedly, my bulging disc was several years ago, and I may misremember, but the BNF fits with the schedule I remember, https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/naproxen/

yes nerve pain from the neck can be felt around the shoulder blade-sometimes without neck pain curiously. Does the pain travel into his arm at all? Any pins and needles/numbess.
trial of nerve specific meds-ask gp

Thankyou all so much. Its been brutal. He is not a wimp! Its been like childbirth but without the reward at the end!! Thankyou.