To actually cry over this fucking shoulder pain?

[TheOGWanKenobi]

This is really fucking me off to the point of tears, and I usually have a high pain threshold.

A couple of years back I dislocated my shoulder and have partially dislocated it a few times since then. I've had physio etc and usually do my exercises religiously. I've had some recurrent shoulder pain, investigations were delayed due to lockdown etc. It turns out the pain is actually due to a calcium build up, not previous injuries. I am waiting for an appointment to have barbotage (calcium broken up and sucked out) and they will do a steroid/anaesthetic injection as well.

I'm used to the injections as I also have connective tissue disease so have had them in different joints and they work well for me, so I'm hopeful the shoulder treatment will solve it, but there will be a long wait for this. I currently am prescribed nortriptyline/naproxen/codeine and tramadol anyway to manage the pain of connective tissue disease, I take them the codeine/tramadol on a "when needed" basis and try to use it as little as possible. However they aren't even touching the shoulder pain even at max dose. It really really fucking hurts and I can't do my shoulder exercises as I can't move the bastard thing.

The GP won't do anything other than refer me back to physiotherapy (which I have already had! plus it's a telephone appointment ) They won't prescribe oramorph or morphine patch as (just to add to my woes) I also have epilepsy. I've recently added Keppra to my meds as my seizures weren't controlled (they were the cause of the shoulder injury) I said I would take the increased seizure risk as the pain is 24/7 and even a small dose for a short period may help me "get on top of it". But they won't prescribe it. I have left messages for neurology to see if they agree it's too risky and rheumatology to see if they have any other advice.

Fuck me it hurts. I've cried today and I am usually really hardcore I live with chronic pain, I have given birth without epidurals and when I had my last tattoo I didn't even "feel" it. I've put my dislocated shoulder back in myself (I know now you're not meant to do that). So I'm not a wimp but this shoulder pain is too much! I've tried gel, heat, patches etc etc. Freeze gel and ice is the only thing that makes a small dent in the pain but it's still so bad.

I think I just want a vent and lots of sympathy but if anyone has any experience or advice it would also be great! I know I have "complicated" health making things difficult but the thought of having this level of pain until I get an appointment is bringing me down a lot.

In Shoulder Update News here, I emailed the GP in tears at 5am after a sleepless night (other stuff going on isn't helping but the pain is so bad atm) so I'll see what happens...

All I need is stronger painkillers for the period until barbotage (or hopefully even just a few days if i can get on top of it and get it moving) which neuro say are fine to be prescribed, the physio and rheum are in agreement - why are the GPs being so obstructive?! I genuinely don't understand - how can they just leave people in pain like this? It's three weeks since I first contacted them.

I'd move surgeries but my usual female GP is so good usually.

Just saw your update OP I can't believe you still have to wait for your GP surgery to sort you out! Hope you get your meds soon.

Well I still have no working pain relief and I'm really at the end of my tether. It's too long to even type out how much the GPS have been fucking around and contradicting themselves/each other, but I've really had enough and I cannot cope. The last contact (after I had sent the emails to the practice manager with a summary and saying I could no longer cope) was a phone call where we didn't get anywhere, I actually cried (very unlike me) and I told them I couldn't live like this and hung up I was so upset. And that was the last contact.

I genuinely can't live like this anymore, last night was the worst it's been and the thought of having to get through the weekend before doing this all again with the surgery on Monday, is too much. I have seen the calcium on the scan and I know where it is, I'm genuinely considering (but DH isn't happy with this) trying to get it out myself, I know I would have to go to A and E to get it stitched but they could check it was clean and I might actually get some pain relief.

DH doesn't want me to, risk of infection etc. So I am at the point of dislocating my shoulder myself (it's unstable anyway) and going to A and E as I know I would get pain relief then.

I've told the surgery all this. I first asked for painkillers on the 11th Feb. The pain is constant and I can't cope with it, it just doesn't stop. I've been in tears since yesterday afternoon and didn't sleep even with my massive doses of Keppra. When this is all over I'll do a formal complaint (and probably have to get the thread removed) but what do I do in the meantime?

Go to a&e. Or can you see a GP privately? Also, kick off a complaint at your GP surgery, do it asap, that might get their attention.

You need to go to A&E you cannot be left in this level of pain.

I did consider A and E. But although they are amazing for serious emergency stuff, for minors the wait time is about 8hrs (probably because people who can't get their GP to do stuff are all there...) The chairs are really very painful to sit on with my hips and even if they give me pain relief for my shoulder today, I'll still have to sort it out with the GP and my hips will also be fucked.

DCs have also offered to get me some weed (they're adults but even so, imagine a MN AIBU on that AIBU to ask my DC to supply me with drugs^^ ) but I'm not going to risk it because of my lungs.

So I'm just trying to wait it out til 8am tomorrow when I can hopefully get an appt with my own GP. I'm propped up really well and I have a kind DH keeping me supplied with ice lollies (all I can face eating, I've lost half a stone!) I can't do things like go downstairs by myself as I can't hold on to the rail.

And YY there will definitely be a formal complaint, I asked for a copy of their complaints procedure in my email but no reply to that of course...

God I am SO fucked off with all this. (Thank you for replies tho as it's good to get it off my chest, I think DH DCs and the cats have heard enough swear words this weekend )

Have you had an Xray or mri to confirm the issue with your shoulder?

Only asking as a family member had awful pain in her shoulder, nothing would help. Tried exercises, acupuncture, all the pain killers from the doctor. Eventually they xrayed her and found it was lung cancer :( Now I tell everyone with shoulder pain to ask for a scan.

That's awful for your family member @Coulddowithanap. You would think she should have been x rayed or scanned earlier in the process. I think womens' health worries are dismissed a lot of the time.

Mine was seen on the X-ray which was done last time I put my shoulder back in myself after dislocating it (I did a good job on that apparently ) then they did an ultrasound to look at it in more detail. The lovely ortho showed me the scan and explained everything, which is why I was (am) tempted to try and get it out myself - I was really close to doing it on Friday evening! I think if DH hadn't talked me out of it I would have tried.

I was also thinking that would "justify" a trip to A and E, or maybe dislocating it again. Short term pain, long term pain relief gain

Huge sympathy here. Had my first right frozen shoulder, for no reason. Went to the osteopath I'd been using for over 20 years. He was on holiday,next guy said it was dislocated,he would put it back,they aren't allowed to use 'locals'. He said it would hurt.drove home screaming. GP sent me for physio. "My" osteopath came back,told me not to lift my arm above head hight for 6 months. Eventually healed with limited movement and arm shorter than the other. Left one went. Oldest DD is a qualified masseuse/aromatherapist. Bought a book by Swedish osteopath Neil Asher, called treat your own frozen shoulder. Gave it to her to read,she sorted it in 6 weeks
Stretched right arm sideways to pick up cup,it went again. This time I knew what to do. Found painkillers useless. Couldn't sleep at night,till I lay on the floor. DH had to stop work 18 months ago, after slipping on mud hyper extended his arm,landed on his hand. X rated nothing shown. Has "irritated" but not torn the rotator cuff. Had months of intense physio, which didn't help much. Some days it's agony, some days not so bad.

God shoulders really are bastards aren't they!

I'm only updating to say thank you to all for support and to fellow shoulder sufferers. I finally have some morphine (despite still being told even this morning they wouldn't do it!) and although I know the pain is "still there" it's definitely duller and more far away than it was, IYSWIM. I'm not crying atm so that's a good sign

I will be making a formal complaint so may have to ask for this thread to be removed (I know how annoying that is, sorry) I really don't like to complain about the NHS as 99.99% of staff are wonderful and have so much shit to deal with (not least our fucking useless government!) but in this case, it seemed to be deliberate and continued obstruction/incompetence not an understandable human mistake under lots of pressure, if that makes sense?

For balance, I will also be writing to say thank you to helpful depts like neuro as my nurse went above and beyond etc.

I've scanned the thread and can't see that anyone else has mentioned electronic shockwave therapy - I've had calcific tendinitis in both shoulders in the past but treated them differently and the shockwave therapy was WAY better. It hurts - I got bruised - but the relief was worth it for me. It was also pricey. Again, to me, definitely worth it. It works to disperse the deposits - Google it as it's been a few years since I was affected. I can recommend someone in North London (Canonbury clinic in Islington - the chap also uses it to treat ENB dancers for foot problems such as plantar fascitis) But I was in agony when I decided to get it - it's described very accurately as exquisite pain - and this treatment was more effective and FAR quicker than relief from a steroid injection. I literally feel your pain. Good luck x

Missed your update - that's good news OP hope all is still (relatively) well with you. Absolutely complain, I really can't understand why you were treated that way

I've read about shockwave therapy having success in breaking up calcium deposits?

Just seen @ratotuillewitheverything said the same! Defo look into it I've heard good things. I think top athletes use it already.

Oh Christ OP I feel your pain!
A few years ago I had a partial shoulder dislocation, calcified shoulder tendonitis and bursitis simultaneously.
I also cried.
Had barbotage but ended up needing surgery.
I did manage to get some valium prescribed at one point.

So sorry this transferred to Watching instead of TIO so I missed the last few replies! I will definitely look into shockwave thingy, I am not near London but thank you @Ratatouillewitheverything.

Good news is pain is definitely more manageable now the morphine has had time to kick in (another bonus is that my hips and knee are also less painful!) so I'm trying to get it moving a lot more.

It does make me even angrier that it took so long for this to be prescribed as I could have had relief from this three weeks before I did!

I will be complaining so will have to ask MN to remove thread but wanted to thank you all for replying, and hope fellow sore shoulder sufferers get some relief too!

I totally get it - I have hypermobility & regularly dislocate my left shoulder. It hurts like nothing else on earth! I can't give you any advice, I'm on naproxen & Amitriptyline for a slipped disc which seems to be doing the trick. Fingers crossed you find some relief soon x

I got so sick 0f my pain the other day I took three codeine two paracetamol hot water bottle on back I know not to do this again but just need 12 hours rest not caring and soppy to rest enough and sleep.I feel for you I really do.

Oh I get it - like a dull toothache in your arm/shoulder? a few years ago I had calcific tendonitis in my left shoulder. I had several injections that lasted for a very short period of time and barbotage with no anesthesia. I was told it could sort itself out in 18/24 months or a potential operation to remove the calcium. Sadly barbotage didn't work and at a follow up appointment I told my consultant that if they couldn't operate, I wanted them to cut my arm off as there was no way I could carry on like that for a fortnight, never mind two years. I think that may have answered the question as to how I was doing 😀. Had the op and been fine ever since.
I'm now starting with similar symptoms in the right shoulder.....

I really think you should insist on being referred. I had a frozen shoulder operated on. Best thing I ever did. Consultant said I should've been referred to him years ago instead of messing around with physio.

"I told my consultant that if they couldn't operate, I wanted them to cut my arm off"

Yes, exactly!! I was genuinely serious the other Friday evening about trying to get the calcium out myself, or pulling it out of place again so I could get some pain relief at A and E! Luckily DH's wiser head prevailed

The consultant's secretary has said I am on the cancellation list so fingers crossed it will be soon.