Frozen shoulder

[Mustardfan]

Has anyone got any advice? The pain has been terrible for about 3 months. I’m feeling a bit better now I’ve got a diagnosis and I’ve started stretching it. I’ve also just started sleeping with a blanket under the affected arm (while sleeping on the other side). That seems to help. I’ve started showering before I stretch (several times a a day).

The only thing that solved my frozen shoulder was a cortisone injection.

I had that last year, it really hurt so you have my sympathy. Keep up with the stretches regularly, mine just faded out eventually. Had it under a year in total (prob about six months maybe at its worst) and found a different way to sleep, that was probably the bit that I found the worst. It's entirely gone now with no sign it was ever there.

I had this a few years ago and it was awful, sorry. There are 3 phases, you are probably in the first, where your shoulder is freezing. This is with the pain. Then it is the frozen stage (no pain yet!) Just no movement. Then the defrosting stage where you start getting moment back gradually (I did physio). There was only pain in the last stage if you push yourself.

So good news is you are at the only painful stage. Everyone's stages last different lengths. My stage 1 was about 6 months. Stages 2 about 3 months, stage 3 about 6. I had physio which helped a bit and a steroid injection which didn't work at also did a few sessions of acupuncture which didn't work either.

Exercise helped with the pain the most. I took up running and the gentle arm movements made a massive difference to me, but everyone is different.

The biggest annoyances were the pain, the impact on sleep and my inability to do up my bra!

I had an injection of a LOT of saline which popped open the 2 bits which were stuck together. Watched it on a screen as it happened.

It was intensely painful for a few seconds but like a miracle, went in barely able to move my arm and went out doing windmill impressions.

Mine’s currently defrosting. I had the saline / cortisone shot which was the most astonishingly painful thing. I then got steroid flare afterwards for 3 days - intense pain. But- at least six months entirely pain free and with almost full movement. We got a new mattress which has really helped and sleeping with your arm supported ina pillow might help.

I'd forgotten about bras, that and putting a rucksack on both shoulders, ended up having to adapt that quite a bit.

No magic bullet from me but huge sympathy. I've had two frozen shoulders, one on either side (thankfully not at the same time). The first time, a doctor attempted to manipulate it under anaesthetic which was very uncomfortable and didn't work. I'm very interested to hear about the saline injection and will try that if -heaven forbid - it comes back. The pain is so debilitating (6 months for me) that it's worth trying anything I think. I found some relief by sleeping on my own, protecting my arms and upper body as much as possible and celebrating the move to the frozen (and less painful) stage.

Oh OP, I had mine for over a year. During lockdown it was so bad the kids had to dress me. Thank fuck I didn't have to teach with it as I couldn't get a bra on! I still struggle but it's definitely 10000x better. It started at the beginning of 2019 I reckon. At its worst I couldn't sleep as as soon as I moved in my sleep, the immense pain woke me. It's that shooting pain. I've never felt anything like it. Least contractions and labour was relatively short lived!

A hot shower with the water directly on it. Slowly moving arm in circular motions. Start small and get them bigger as it loosens. I used to use my other arm to steady myself because if I knocked it slightly I think I would have gone through the glass for with the pain .

I never did get it diagnosed because of lockdown etc. But I had read enough about it and it's apparently a common issue with type 1 diabetes.

I think it's important to keep telling yourself it will all pass. It will thaw. And actually, the thawing is a lot less painful. There are different stages and I could definitely cope with the frozen bit.

Are all of you ladies in the peri menopausal zone? It’s apparently linked; just another fun thing thrown in! And we’re yours brought on by any injury or did they just start? I’m not sure my biceps / triceps will ever be the same!

I have had two frozen shoulders while perimenopausal. Many of my same age friends have had them too. No solution, but lots of sympathy. I found trying to keep it moving in the pain free range of motion helps. The good news is that it tends to be self-limiting and pretty much everyone was better after about a year.

OP, I know it's scary and demoralising when you can't even fasten a bra strap, but just keep stretching the hell out of of it. I thought I was going to turn into an old woman, but by the 12-month mark, mine is pretty much good as new.

It will hurt so much and then it will get better and nobody can understand how much pain you are in unless they have been through it themselves.

Stretching as much as you can and then some more and working through the pain will help. My physio told me to imagine each painful motion you make is snapping the crystalline threads that have taken over your shoulder. Took about 10 months for me to resolve and I still can’t believe i can lift my arms up normally again. I don’t take my health for granted anymore.

And yes perimenopausal in early 50s for me too...

Age 50 and peri menopausal for me, although dr instists they are unrelated.

I do have exercises from the physio. They helped but you have to do them daily.

I will try and describe.

Sit on a chair and cross your arms with right hand on left shoulder etc. Upper body twist x 10.

Lie on floor on right side, right arm in front at 90 degrees, put left arm on right arm so hands touch then lift left arm, keep going as far back as comfortable so you almost are on your back and the left arm is almost on the floor to the left. X 10 then switch sides. This is good for flexibility.

Lie on right side, with knees bent, pillow under neck, right arm can be under pillow. Get a bottle of water/can in left hand. Put left hand in front of belly button on floor and lift but keep left elbow close to your side like a hinge, raise fore arm to about vertical, then slowly lower. This builds strength.

Then there were more of the opening ones, once I did those for 2 weeks, like a pilates band on a door to stretch.

Unfortunately someone told me it can take 18 months to go and this was true for me.

^I should say I didn't do the exercises daily but everytime I had a burst I came on leaps and bounds.

Yes, mid 40s perimenopausal.

Yes I was early/mid 40s too. Apparently women aged 40 to 60 are the main sufferers. Another bother for me was getting my toddler into a car seat as the angle was terrible. Also I found that I could drive, but only hold the steering wheel in a certain way. I have an automatic car, otherwise I suspect the gear change would have been an issue. I wish I had bought a front fastening bra, but I couldn't find any in the shops.

I’m an osteopath and tbh the main thing is hydrodilitation. Basically “breaks” the capsule with a large dose of saline. Immediate therapy after then to get it moving. Exercises and acupuncture/cortisone etc can help over time. And there is a huge link to hormonal issues such as menopause - your GP is full of shit 😂

I had a frozen shoulder at the age of 57 and post menopausal. If I knew it would take so long to get better I would have sought treatment. I fell in the bath as I couldn’t pull myself up, so took showers after. I wore pull up bras. I did do exercises that I found online, which did help and I just increased these each week. I also had a routine mammogram which was very painful and I got told that I should have cancelled it, as I couldn’t lift my arm far enough.

God, menopause really is the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it?

Just to mention anyone under 40 with shoulder stiffness please get it checked out with imaging as this can be bone cancer. Sadly as a physio I met a patient in her teens who had been told she had frozen shoulder. It doesn't occur in this age group. She had primary bone cancer in her shoulder. Good luck to everyone with your treatment - it's a difficult condition.

I've had mine for over 2 years. Physio useless. GP insists nothing can be done. I'm so fed up.

My Gp signed me up for online physio and I did exercises for 3 months. I took ibuprofen and omeprazole on and off, and COD liver oil capsules. It's pretty much gone now. No idea why it started but the answer is movement and stretches and the worse thing it's to leave it immobile.

My physio suggested swimming. I thought he was crazy. I tried it. He wasn't crazy. I went from not being able to put my bra on to swimming regularly.

I rate TENS machine for pain relief generally.