Frozen shoulder?

[Constantlytired24]

I was in bed all day today and most of yesterday. I’ve been on cocodamol and Naproxen on and off for shoulder pain for five years. My arm often feels heavy and weak. I’ve recently been given amitriptyline to be taken at night as well. Tasks like laundry and washing up exhaust me. All bloods are fine and I’m waiting for an MRI scan in the next couple of weeks.

I’m post-menopause and can’t take HRT, the shoulder/arm pain coincided with menopause. Work is quiet now - WFH - but it will be busy from September. I am trying to use my arm functionally with shopping, laundry, vacuuming etc. but today the pain was so extreme on waking that I couldn’t face getting up.

The physio assessor said it looks like a frozen shoulder but how on earth can it hurt so much? How can I function? I feel like an old lady and I’m only 52. Is this my life now?

I had frozen shoulder for an extended period in my forties. It was agony.

I am afraid I don't have any solutions for you, OP, but just wanted to give you some hope... mine eventually just disappeared and I haven't had any problems with it for years now (I'm the same age as you). I hope that yours will fade into being a distant memory too!

That does give me some hope, thank you. I’ve had two cocodamol 30/500 mg half an hour ago and that should allow me to put the online shopping away. I think people who haven’t experienced this can’t imagine the misery of it.

I had a frozen shoulder in my 50s. It was agony. Mine followed the typical three stages, each of which lasts 4 to 6 months.
I was through the first stage before I got a diagnosis so just stuck it out.
Fortunately I regained full movement.
I didn't take painkillers.
I hope you begin to improve soon.

My frozen shoulders gradually improved over 4 years. Not exactly flexible shoulders now, but can do things like back fasten a bra without setting them off now.

The bra fastening is the worst. The GP said rotator cuff and the physio assessor said rotator cuff. I just want the MRI to shed some light - I’m so fed up with the pain.

Yeah. Ended up in front fasteners for a while, but they were crap.

A colleague in her late 40's suddenly had this. She saw an osteopath for weekly sessions and was back to full function within a month or so.

OP I recommend a TENS Machine for the pain. I've had 2 frozen shoulders and used one of these the second time - such a relief.

I've had both shoulders freeze. As far as I am aware it's usually very easy to diagnose from seeing your range of movement, e.g. whether you can reach around to a back pocket, or up to your bra.
It is incredibly painful so I really feel for you to be suffering for so long.

I think it's most common in middle aged women, so it seems to have some connection to peri menopause / hormone changes.

I’ve had three sessions and it’s made no difference, he has suggested I come back after the MRI scan.

So painful. Mine took exactly 18 months to be better. No treatment helped but things like a bit of massage by a pro (not the nice laydee at the beauty salon) felt like someone was trying to help, so I had a few (£££ though but there you are)

I feel so sorry for you, it really is miserable.

Yes, I had a professional deep tissue massage person before lockdown and have started going back to them. I would pay any ££ I can afford to be back to some sort of normality. I’ve felt at rock bottom all day, I don’t even have enough range of movement to shave my left armpit properly or straighten my hair. It’s encouraging to know that other people have recovered.

OP - Like others have said, you will recover but it's a long process. It doesn't appear on the long list of menopause symptoms but it is connected to the decline of oestrogen, which has a protective inflammatory effect. I had a steroid injection the first time when I couldn't stand the pain anymore, and it gradually improved, but that may have coincided with the natural progression of the condition anyway. I requested a steroid injection for the second one early on, but it had no effect. I feel for you, it's miserable. But do consider the TENS machine - it made a huge difference to me - non-invasive, drug-free and no side effects.