Terrible shoulder pain- calcific tendonitis

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Shameless post for traffic as I'm desperate. Have been having shoulder pain recently, dull ache which is worse at night. Went to physio last week which helped somewhat but pain got worse again on Sunday whilst I was at work (healthcare). Done some exercises from the physio yesterday which seemed to cause a terrible flare. Was in tears last night, pain was on par with labour, throbbing continously. Couldn't sleep. Rang (my fabulous) gp this morning who sent me for an x ray where a large calcium deposit was found. I'm hoping to get an ultrasound tomorrow (privately) but can anyone give advice on how to manage the pain or share similar stories of woe? I'm concerned about taking more time off work as I'm in the private sector and don't get paid if I don't go in. Photos attached of the bugger causing all this!

No advice! But I sympathise, it’s shit! I had a trapped nerve in my neck that’s radiated down my shoulder nd arm, like I was being stabbed! And it was 2 days after labour and honestly I would say the pain is worse!

I hope you feel better soon!

I have had this in both shoulders as a result of my auto immune disorder.

I had a procedure called a Barbotage on the nhs, takes about an hour, rinses out the deposits under ultrasound and cleared it up in both cases.

Ops were 8 years apart. It’s done with just local anesthetic and only aches for a few hours afterwards. I would recommend it.

Forgot to say, a steroid shot into the shoulder helped a lot with the pain.

I've had that - it's hideous!

Caveat for the following - I am NOT a doctor. This is just what worked for me. You will need to see a doctor for decent pain meds

Don't move the joint at all if you can help it. Movement inflames it. Certainly don't lift the arm above the vertical
Topical voltarol (or better still something like naproxen - need a prescription)
Oral painkillers such as paracetamol, or something stronger (see GP)
Time. It gets better I promise.

I've had this and after many physio sessions, ended up having an mri which identified the calcium deposits. No amount of physio is going to get rid of that! Eventually I had a guided injection done privately. I thought it was going to be some sort of magic solution that would dissolve the calcium deposit but no - it was saline in a needle that they used to physically break down the deposit. I felt quite bruised after the procedure but it did the trick.

I really sympathise. I had this (and a frozen shoulder) and hydrodilation with a high dose of steroids in the injection sorted it out. Two weeks after the treatment and some physio and I could move almost as normal - the pain was gone too. I'm not a specialist though. I recommend you get referred to a shoulder specialist for this.

Thank you everyone for the sympathy and advice. Can I ask if anyone had a deposit as large as mine? I've been googling x rays and the others look tiny compared to my monstrosity which is further causing me to spiral!

Hi OP I had severe shoulder pain beginning of October,felt like sciatica. No diagnosis but regular Cocodamol , Naproxen ,Omeprasole,Heated neck scarf and rest +++ ie princess behaviour for about 5 weeks,weekly physio which I ended up paying for and now my shoulder is better. Definitely agree with another PP to ask for urgent referral to Shoulder specialist .X

I had a huge build up and had two steroid injections alongside 6 months physio and now finally have full range of movement with no pain (it was 45% range of movemet with the pain). Would definitely push for injections if you can - it helped with the physio exercises

Some of mine were quite big too and lots of shards. Good luck with the US as they will be able to give you options.

I have this in both shoulders and my foot! I only found out about it in my foot as I went for an x-ray cos I tht i had broken it as I was in so much pain. Ibrufen or Naproxen helps when u get a flare up ... but i cant take that no more as ive started taking blood thinners. Ive heard that steroid injections work well but im a baby an wont do that lol. You have my sympathy, but ive no real advice sorry x

I had this in my shoulder, possibly bigger even. It looked like the whole tendon had calcified. They were calling in other people to view the scan as was so unusual. I had a steroid injection for the pain and guided needle to break up the calcification. They thought the calcium was too hard and had not worked and referred me on to a surgeon. By the time I saw him the pain had gone and I had full range of movement so body must have reabsorbed it all.

I can reccomend hydrodilation ask for it, it heĺps!

Thank you again everyone for your stories. Naproxen is helping a lot with the pain but mobility is still rubbish. Do you mind me asking @Casualbrowser21 how long you were off work? Pain wise I'd be ok to go in now but obviously I can't work with such limited mobility and of course it's my dominant arm 🙄

I had a deposit in my knee and was advised by an orthopaedic surgeon that it would be reabsorbed by the body. I was off work for about 5 weeks as the pain was so bad but it did settle.

I had that and had injections to break it up - can't remember what they were injecting now but it worked. Went four times iirc. Each time it got a bit less painful and each time they'd ex-ray it again and say it had shrunk. Was lucky to get cured right before covid - after that they never contacted me about another appointment or even to ask if it was better etc.

Although naproxen is definitely helping the pain, I'm reluctant to take tablets long term. Can anyone recommend non pharmalogical ways that helped with the pain/inflammation?

I have this!
Physio made it worse. The pain after every appointment was awful. I got a steroid injection about 16 months ago but it didn’t work.

Ive been on the waiting list for an ultrasound guided steroid injection… literally got my appointment through the door 2 days ago after a 15 month wait.

Sorry to hear the first injection didn't work. That must have been very disappointing. I'll cross my fingers thst you get relief from the US guided injection. How long did you have to take off work?

I’ve had this. Do not have physio or do any exercises. You need surgery to remove that bony growth. I had physio and it made everything far worse. The surgery was done with local anaesthetic and sedation and I can’t even remember it. My pain went away immediately.

Do you know what the surgery was called? And how long did you have to wait for it? Also could you work whilst waiting? Sorry for all the questions but I'm beside myself with it all

I had a steroid injection before Xmas. It was great instant relief . But now it is back again .
So debilitating for you OP . Will you be able to get it removed soon ? What does your GP recommend for the pain . Unless they remove it is there any thing you can do to avoid pain. Do take the tablets if recommended you only have to use them when you need to and hopefully it will be short term.

I had a calcified tendon in my shoulder, hospital specialist said the calcium sometimes goes away on its own but highly unlikely. I took a supplement of glucosamine, msm & chrondroitin and the calcification went away. Not sure if it was the supplement or I was lucky. Maybe do a bit of googling to find out which supplements can help remove excessive calcium deposits. Also had a steroid injection from the doctor, that didn’t help but a steroid injection from the specialist in hospital did help a bit. Mine was apparently really bad as the specialist called his colleagues in to look at the X-rays!

I’ve never had any time off work for it.

Mine hurts but during the day it’s a full, aching, numbing pain so I can still get on with things. It’s at night when the pain ramps up.

Oh gosh, I bet you didn't know whether to feel alarmed or proud! Really glad it went away by itself. Currently on amazon looking up those supplements, thank you!