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Original poster

Is this frozen shoulder?

14 replies

BeetrootBasil · 19/09/2019 08:46

About 9 months ago I stupidly spent time lying on my right side scrolling my phone for a few months. Eventually my shoulder started to hurt, put two and two together and stopped. Since then I struggle with front sleeping, I have always raised my arms to sleep and this hurts. Aldo if I make an unexpected movement I really twang it to the point where I could cry. I also struggle doing up my bra. I saw and physio and he gave me 30 min of exercises three times a day which I am struggling to keep up with full-time work but know I have to. Its worse than ever now, has anyone had this and got better as it feels like there is no point trying now. Sorry for the moan.

OP posts:
Luzina · 19/09/2019 08:53

I have frozen shoulder in both shoulders. Was horrendous initially, i could only sleep for 40 mins at a time because of the pain. I kept going back to the GP until i was given painkillers that worked for me (gabapentin) and was referred for a steroid injection. Go back to your GP.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 19/09/2019 08:55

Frozen shoulder is self limiting, so it will go better eventually.

Bad news though, it can be up to a year.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 19/09/2019 08:56

What has the physio said - is it frozen shoulder or impingement?

bellinisurge · 19/09/2019 08:58

I have impingement. Hurts like hell but with physio exercise is slowly going away. Slooooowwwwwwwllllllyyyy

Original poster
BeetrootBasil · 19/09/2019 13:27

Thanks for the replies I am relieved to hear it can improve, slowly! Will persevere with exercise and hope I get there too.

OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 19/09/2019 13:30

Exercise may not help. When I had mine my orthopaedic consultant told me I could exercise and be in pain or not exercise and not be in so much pain - but my shoulder would recover either way. It did.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 19/09/2019 19:04

I also had two frozen shoulders at once a few years ago.

It starts with sudden pain, affectionately known as 'zingers', when you move your arm suddenly. After a good few months, your arm will stiffen to the point where you have very little movement of the shoulder and you will struggle with putting your clothes on and washing yourself. By about 18months from your first symptom, it should have resolved.

A wise expert once said...Without treatment, a frozen shoulder will take about 18 months to heal. With treatment, it will be over within a year and a half.

Original poster
BeetrootBasil · 28/12/2019 13:04

Right well I have had it for over 18 months so wtf is going on. Will update in about 3 months after intensive physio.

OP posts:
JustMyName · 29/12/2019 21:59

I too have shoulder pain, diagnosed as impingement. Is there a link to exercises that help? Any tips for driving with it? Strong painkillers make me ill. Is there an alternative? Getting washed, dressed, anything is so painful and I can't sleep.

StealthPussy · 30/12/2019 06:32

Many people will be told they have a frozen shoulder when they do not. They may have an issue with one of the rotator cuff muscles which could be helped with massage, manipulations and exercises, either by an osteopath or a remedial massage/manipulative therapist.
With a true frozen shoulder it can take anything from 18 months to 3 years to resolve. There are 3 stages. The freezing stage (pain and increasing restriction of movement), the frozen stage (no movement possible at all even when attempted by a practitioner), the thawing stage (increasing movement and strengthening of muscles, reducing pain). Each stage can last anything from 6 months to 18 months. So you see the whole process can take years. Your best chances are to pay to see an osteopath.

NoodlingAlong · 30/12/2019 06:39

I had a rotator cuff injury in several places. It was extremely painful. I couldn’t sleep. I went to A&E in the end as I thought I had dislocated it. The nurse told me it wasn’t frozen as she could move it when she got me to completely relax. It took a while and I still get twinges but I didn’t need injections. They gave me cocodamol. I think I got mine from lugging around a heavy laptop bag.

Juliette20 · 30/12/2019 06:44

I got over a rotator cuff injury in a few months and stayed active, gradually increasing the range of movement. Yoga and ibuprofen helped immensely.

Original poster
BeetrootBasil · 30/12/2019 10:10

I have some exercises, I will up load them when I have removed my name from the sheet.

I am not sure it is frozen shoulder to be honest.

I know there was a weakness, once years ago I did a yoga side raise and I heard something go. Then it was clicky and sore. I am sure I tore something (I have torn my knee meniscus before) but did not get it looked at. It did improve over a very long time.

I think the recent problems are exacerbated by the old weakness.

Good shout about finding a good osteo/remedial massage therapist.

OP posts:
Anjelika · 30/12/2019 10:20

I've had frozen shoulder twice and both times got some comfort from
Steroid injections which I got from my GP.

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