Frozen Shoulder & lack of sleep...

[StarbucksQueen]

Diagnosed with a frozen shoulder by the muscular skeletal specialist at the GP. Got some physio exercises to try and maintain movement during the 'freezing' stage.
Tolerating the pain ok during the day, but at night it seems 10 times worse. I've tried supportive pillows, clutching a pillow, sleeping on my back.. I was given codeine 30mg which dont help at all, even after doubling the dose after speaking again to the GP.. I've now been prescribed dihydracodeine, which should arrive today.
Just wondering if anyone on mums net has had a frozen shoulder and found a comfortable position to sleep in?

Following as got the same problem . Last night was terrible

Comps83 - dont know about you, but I'm ok-ish in the day, but now actually dread going to bed. And after reading that each stage can last for months, there just seems no end in sight.
I did ask about cortisone injections, but they apparently lower your immune system, so they're not doing them whilst covid is at such a high...

Me too I used to love sleeping but now I dread it
I think mine is actually a trapped nerve rather than frozen shoulder but being unable to find a comfortable sleeping position means I'm awake most the night

Been there and I feel your pain! Try a v shaped pillow, that helped me.

Try a hot water bottle. I found it very helpful.

Google pendulum exercises.

Frozen shoulders are not fun but tend to resolve given time.

I've had it You've got my sympathy it's a horrible thing to have. I've got a shoulder injury, not frozen but something else that I've an appt with an orthopaedic consultant next week

When I had a frozen shoulder I was told by my GP to take any inflammatory pills - I didn't take them and he said I really needed to take them to bring the inflammation down.

I find a heat pad helps - I use it in the evening watching tv and in bed. I lie on my back or on the side of the injured arm tucked up towards my chin - even so I wake up early with the pain. Would it help to have a hot shower before bed aiming the hot water at your shoulder. Also try anti inflammatory gel like ibuprofen gel

Good luck with it. I hope you get it unfrozen soon.

Thanks for everyone's tips!...anti inflammatories have never had any effect unfortunately, even taking them regularly... heat does seem to ease it, stuff like Deep Heat seems to give some relief, and medicated plasters like Salonplas help while I'm at work..
I think the fact that theres no 'end date', only an approximation of how long it might last before it begins to thaw, just makes you want to find anything you can to help with the pain..

Same here, my sympathies. Just got into bed and dreading another painful, sleepless night. I've taken my 30/500 cocodamol but know I'll be up in a few hours in agony. Tens machine helps sometimes.
My gp also reluctant too give steroid injection. Physio very little help.
Would just love a full nights restful sleep!

Sympathy from me too. My shoulder is currently thawing so no longer painful thank goodness, but I had four months of pain earlier in the year. The only position that didn’t hurt at night was to keep my upper arm perfectly aligned to my body. I was almost tempted to strap it down with duct tape!

I had this last year, the nights are miserable. I saw an osteopath and he manipulated it, after the second session it started to feel better. He also put kinetic (?) tape on it, which helped a lot with the pain. I recommend finding one. I can recommend one near me, if you're in the east riding.

Also ibuprofen gel helped more than tablets.

When I had it I found sleeping propped up was better than lying down. I've had it twice once in each shoulder

You have my sympathies - I've had two, both idiopathic. I used to sleep with a soft rolled up blanket wedged under the shoulder, in a position which was most comfortable for me. I also used a hot water bottle on the painful area. I stopped taking ibuprofen after a while as it caused stomach pain, but I found a natural remedy, turmeric tea - Google it. That helped, although be aware that turmeric can have a mild laxative effect. I also used voltarol gel which really helped me. I only found that second time around. I bought some pull up bras from Poundland of all places, as regular bras were so uncomfortable. Your shoulder will resolve over time, it unlocks itself millimetre by millimetre. The absolute joy when you can finally put a bra on properly again, fastening it at the back, is indescribable!!! Good luck those of you suffering right now

Me too but the docs think it's a nerve in my neck which is causing shoulder and arm pain. I'm taking 20mg of amitriptyline in the evening and its made a massive difference, the pain levels have been dialled down and the sedative effect helps me sleep better.

Oh and I'm receiving physiotherapy and also use tiger balm on my shoulder - fab stuff!

@fairydustandpixies - I'd forgotten about the tiger balm, that helped me too. As did physio - but very gentle which helped the stretching when it started to thaw.

Thank you for all your tips, some I've tried and some I'll give a go!.. deep heat type creams help a little, as does a hot water bottle. I already take 25mg of amytriptyline as a preventative for migraine (which works well for that)..the creams and hot water bottle help me get off to sleep, but by 2am I'm awake and in pain, and the rest of the night becomes a struggle to get any more sleep. I have physio exercises to maintain the movement i have, so hopefully they will keep some movement...I've been looking at bra alternatives, I have quite large boobs so do need a bit of support - am looking at a front fastening bra!

I second a V shaped pillow - lie on that side and sort of drop your shoulder into the V.

Oh... and be aware your physio may be exacerbating the pain. On the advice of a consultant, I let my shoulder heal itself - no physio, nothing. It did get better and I strongly suspect that I experienced less pain.

@Silvercatowner is quite right. Choose your physio carefully, as a poor one may actually cause you more harm than good. Physio won't stop your shoulder freezing, but it might just help stretch things out (slowly) when you start to defrost. @StarbucksQueen , are you on Facebook? I used to be admin on an excellent Frozen Shoulder Support group, if you're interested?

Naproxen and amitriptyline ease mine but it is hell so you have my sympathies. Also hot water bottle.

@Pansypotter123, @[email protected] you!..the first physio I saw said I had a shoulder impingement - his exercises were killing me!!!...@Pansypotter - I've PM'd you about the support group