My b####y Shoulder

[jackie j]

Right then who can tell me what else i can do about my frozen shoulder ????
So far i have tried physio but they could barely touch me and have had 2 steroid injections I'm also on Ibuprofen, Paracetamol and when its really bad Codeine, I have two baths a day. It wakes me up I cant do much, I'm tired irritable and depressed. I'm waiting to have manipulation under GA it was supposed to be before the end of April but cos the surgeon has been off sick its now going to be end of May

[Topaz]

I have just and i mean only just stopped getting pain from my frozen shoulder (it started 3 years ago. I did all you, physio, injections, etc etc. However a tens machine was brilliant and helped a lot. You can get one for around a tenner in a lloyds pharmacy. I can highly recommend it, eases pain enough to help you sleep.

[Stacey Steve]

I suffer from arthritis in my joints and was really hitting the painkillers. Then someone at work suggested using a TENS machine, these are normally associated with pregnancy pains. Still looked on EBay and got one from Hong Kong for about £10.

The best tenner I ever spent. At first it seemed very odd, not uncomfortable but very very odd feeling. The trick is not to be tempted to turn the thing up too much untill you get used to it.

This is not a cure you understand but releif. Not everyone can get on with the things but for a tenner well worth a try.

I even use it at work, well it gives them a good laugh when I have wires going up my trouser leg, they say they keep looking for an odd smile on my face.

[Snadger]

I have Spondulosis in my neck and the quack said "It's a bit like going grey as you get older , live with it."
I decided to take Glucosamine and Codliver oil tablets every day and now only very rarely have pain.
It could be a faith thing I suppose, but it worked for me!

[mandyballantyne]

Hi Snadger,

Has that given a great improvement? I too have spondulosis and fibrocytitus and nothing seems to ease it.

Think a trip the health food shop for non - cog liver oil tablets is worth a try

Thanks, Mandy

[Flummery]

Arthritic old biddy here who also swears by glucosamine. I also joined a T'ai Chi class when I retired and I can't tell you how brilliant that is. Our teacher showed me some exercises to do with my Father in Law who has a frozen shoulder and it did ease it a lot.

[jackie j]

Thanks everyone I forgot to mention I started using a tens machine a week ago and I am also taking devils claw cos its in the health food shop H & B book for frozen shoulder and I also take glucosamine guess I will just have to put up with the pain.
I had a frozen shoulder a few years ago and I cant remember it being this bad. As its my right shoulder and Im right handed it is very restrictive.

[Two_Sheds]

TENS machines are okay if your area of pain is relatively small, ie in one place. It was useless for me as my pain is up my spine, along the neck to shoulder, and shoulder blade.

Devils Claw, Cod Liver, Glucosamine ... no difference. But then, codeine doesn't dent the pain either. I've seen loads of specialists over the years, nobody's been able to do anything, but nobody will actually admit "sorry, there's nothing we can do for you". I just get pushed from one doctor to another to another.
What I need is hands-on manipulation of the shoulder blade, ie physio, shiatsu, but that is unavailable on a long term basis from the NHS (I've had to wait 6 months for a 6 week course, it's pointless).
If you have chronic (long term) pain, there is really very little that can be done. You just have to put up with it.

[SarzWix]

Those big heat patches you can get from the chemist helped my friend a lot, they last for up to 8 hours so better than trying to apply fiery jack or something every half hour, and not so heavy as trying to hang a wheat-bag over your shoulder. Also, the jaccuzzi in the the local leisure centre helped her too. But, don't use the heat/pain relief to enable you to get busy - use it as time to relax (which you don't do when you're in pain, you hold yourself all tense), which will help the muscles etc to relax. Also ask Doctor for stronger pain-killers which you can use at night to get better rest. I alternate between Dihydracodeine (sp?) & Tramadol, so that I don't get 'immune' to them.
Good luck Jackie, hope it improves soon.

[janeyo]

Acupuncture? Or tens machine might be worth a go

janeyo