3/9/2007
frozen shoulder syndrome or adhesive capsulitis
That’s what I have. I put this together on Monday, when I was home, and it took me all week to decide to put it up. It’s because there are certain people who take pleasure in other peoples’ pain, ridicule people for their opinions, and generally take enjoyment in other peoples’ misery that it took me so long. This is like giving my stalkers another window into my life, which is not something I was going to do without thinking about it.
I was talking with my mom on the phone today, as I was home from work and not feeling up to snuff. I have this frozen rotator cuff thing going on on both sides - the right and the left. The right hand side has been dealt with through physical therapy after I injured it two years ago, but I have new pinching pain because I re-injured it in December. I hurt myself about two years ago in a work-related injury, went through physical therapy for it, but the pain never left completely. The left shoulder pain is newer; and is trying to freeze and the pain on that side is excruciating.
I re-injured both sides when I was in a car accident on December 11th and it turned the lefthand side into a pounding syncopated pinching painful, sometimes shooting pain when I attempt the simplest of tasks. It’s just a plain it-hurts-to-move-my-arm type of thing. The right hand side, as I said, was injured previously but it hurts, nevertheless. I have better range of motion on the right. Even though I’d been through physical therapy on the right shoulder to get through the adhesions (break through the scar tissue) that had frozen it, the pain never completely went away. The word ‘frozen’ is an accurate word, by the way. When your shoulder is ‘frozen’, you can’t move it, up or down, or to the side or toward the back. So the car accident, in short, made the left arm hurt like holy hell, and the right hand side hurt like lesser holy hell. The combination of the two has me on the verge of tears most days when I just do simple things like put on my coat, drive, or other things most people do every day and take for granted.
So I found myself home today, and talking on the phone with Mom, which was a comfort all by itself. Mom is a retired R.N., and she had some suggestions for me. She sent me to a website of an orthopedic specialist group, and lo and behold, they had an area on their website about frozen shoulder syndrome.
Here is that information, and the website link below with the pictures and more details about alternatives, medicines and possible treatments.
Description
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a disorder characterized by pain and loss of motion or stiffness in the shoulder. It affects about two percent of the general population. It is more common in women between the ages of 40 years to 70 years old. The causes of frozen shoulder are not fully understood. The process involves thickening and contracture of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. A doctor can diagnose frozen shoulder based on the history of the patient’s symptoms and physical examination. X-rays or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) studies are sometimes used to rule out other causes of shoulder stiffness and pain, such as rotator cuff tear.
I already knew this part, and I’m pretty certain that the left side is not a tear, the pain is similar to the intensity of pain when the right shoulder was frozen and I started going through therapy for it. The reason it was frozen, though, was because I’d been through what I’m now experiencing on the left hand side, but stopped moving it so I wouldn’t experience pain. The result was: classic frozen shoulder - and after a while, the pain stopped, but I couldn’t move it.
Risk Factors/Prevention
Frozen shoulder occurs much more commonly in individuals with diabetes, affecting 10 percent to 20 percent of these individuals. Other medical problems associated with increased risk of frozen shoulder include: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, and cardiac disease or surgery. Frozen shoulder can develop after a shoulder is injured or immobilized for a period of time. Attempts to prevent frozen shoulder include early motion of the shoulder after it has been injured.
So basically, the answer to the left shoulder situation is - do the exercises I learned in physical therapy for the right side, and move them BOTH. Although you notice that the blood sugar problem is present and as you may or may not know, is something I’m struggling with. Hyperthyroidism is not something I have, but historically my family has issues with thyroid, so this is also something I should follow up on with a complete bloodworkup.
Symptoms
Pain due to frozen shoulder is usually dull or aching. It can be worsened with attempted motion.
In my case, though, it can be sharp pain, going down the arm.
The pain is usually located over the outer shoulder area and sometimes the upper arm. The hallmark of the disorder is restricted motion or stiffness in the shoulder. The affected individual cannot move the shoulder normally. Motion is also limited when someone else attempts to move the shoulder for the patient. Some physicians have described the normal course of a frozen shoulder as having three stages:
* Stage one: In the “freezing” stage, which may last from six weeks to nine months, the patient develops a slow onset of pain. As the pain worsens, the shoulder loses motion.
* Stage two: The “frozen” stage is marked by a slow improvement in pain, but the stiffness remains. This stage generally lasts four months to nine months.
* Stage three: The final stage is the “thawing”, during which shoulder motion slowly returns toward normal. This generally lasts five months to 26 months.
So here is my frustration with people who JUST DON’T GET IT: the recovery from this is very long, and right now, the left hand side feels like there’s a knife stuck in there, right underneath the shoulder cap when I attempt to move it. So, I’ve affixed the pulley to the top of the door, and am pulling my left arm up in the air with the right, and the other way around, to keep it moving and just move through the pain.
Treatment Options
Frozen shoulder will generally get better on its own. However, this takes some time, occasionally up to two to three years. If you have a stiff and painful shoulder, see your physician to make sure no other injuries are present.
Treatment is aimed at pain control and restoration of motion. The first goal is pain control. This can be achieved with anti-inflammatory medications. These include pills taken by mouth, such as ibuprofen or Naprosyn, as well as injections, such as corticosteroids. To restore motion, physical therapy is usually started. This may be under the direct supervision of a therapist or via a home program. Therapy includes stretching or range-of-motion exercises for the shoulder. Sometimes heat is used to help decrease pain. Examples of some of the exercises that might be recommended can be seen in figures 1, 2, and 3.
There are suggested exercises, but I’m not going to post them, they’re at the website. More information on this condition is available at the Barrington Orthopedic Specialists group here.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I certainly feel for you! My husband has a problem with his left shoulder and lots of nights, it keeps him awake. He says the exercise is the only thing that helps, although it is also painful.
But, my sis/i/law has went through the frozen shoulder pain. She went through therapy for almost a year, while going through cancer chemo. So she had a double whammy.
March 10th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
It is certainly no picnic. Thank you for reading, and thank you for taking the time to comment. I don’t wish this on my worse enemy. I can’t imagine going through treatment for cancer at the same time as having this. I’ll pray for them both!
I like to think that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, but on some days, it just feels like He’s testing that.
March 10th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Thanks for your prayers.
I know it’s said that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, but, being a human, it’s easy to get to the point of thinking perhaps he has given us way more than we can handle. That’s where true trust comes in. If we really trust what His Word says, then, we will persevere. And, he will come through!
Will be praying that this shall see it’s end quickly!
March 11th, 2007 at 10:18 am
I had a bone spur (impingement of the shoulder - bone hitting bone) that made me use my arm less and less, and ended up with frozen shoulder. I fought this all last year with PT and massage therapy and finally had surgery in January. It is ONE tough recovery. I still hurt, I go to PT 2x a week and do exercises all the time. However, it gets better each week so I am hopeful that one day I will realize that wow, my shoulder does not hurt when I put on my coat…I see a lot of folks just like me in PT and we all work up to full range of motion through excruciating movements…the interesting thing was I had the bone spur cut out under full anesthesia, then they took the time to rip apart the scar tissue by manipulating me in crazy ways while I was out. Then I stayed in the hospital and had it done 2 more times under a nerve block. There is nothing fun about this.
Anyway, point is, the exercise do pay off and just make certain there is nothing else causing the pain…in my case, the bone spur caused me to freeze up because it was the initial source of pain. but in the end, the spur was fixed quickly and the frozen shoulder is a long, long fix. hang in there, it does get better if you do the exercises and force yourself to work thru the pain.
March 11th, 2007 at 10:43 am
You’re welcome, Barb.
And Debbie, I have bone spurs, from what the orthopedic guy said the first time. But he refused to do surgery after I got my full range of motion back through PT. It sounded to me like the coward’s way out; he didn’t care how much pain I was in as long as I got my range of motion back. I said ‘this is no quality of life if I still have the pain!’ He had no answer for me, just a smirk. I never want to go back to him.
I think what I really need to do is go to an orthpedic guy who specializes in sports-related injury to the shoulder. Then they’ll be more interested in really helping me, rather than minimizing the cost. But they also need to take into consideration the insurance aspects of it.
What a painful story that sounds like, debbie. It’s a long painful recovery no matter how you look at it; it can take up to 5 years. The freezing of the shoulder itself is a gradual process, taking in the area of 6 months or more.
I’m fighting that on the left side, while trying to navigate through how to get seen by a specialist. The orthopedic place that I was referred to by my primary physician refused to see me because it was as a result of a car accident, and they wanted a guarantee that I would pay at the time of service.
It’s a mess.
Thanks for your comment, and I hope you get better. I know it won’t be instant, but it sounds like you’re doing all the rights things to get back to normal.
April 4th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
My right shoulder was frozen five years ago for about 18 months.A Chinese acupuncturist said he could cure me in 10 visits and after nine visits, I was 95% better.
My left shoulder started freezing up about 6 months ago. I went to the same acupuncturist for 5 visits but it kept getting worse. I just finished 20 physical therapy treatments, which are excruciating, and it’s worse than ever. I’m going to get a cortisone shot and go back to acupuncture. If you get it in one shoulder, you almost always get in the other one, too.
April 5th, 2007 at 5:59 am
Damn. Bless you, Peter, I’ll include you in my prayers. Acupuncture sounds like something worth a try…
June 10th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Hi,
Well this is my second bout with adhesive capsulitus…. I’m am doing better emotionally this time.. Only because I know it will get better with time..I could not stop the freezing process.. and look foward to it being in the frozen stage. This is less painful as a full nights sleep will be a nice change..Stretching is only helping the range of the frozen shoulder area but not really any different joint movement …
Everyone thinks your a Hypo Psyco.. Why ?. because we tend to be obsessed with the pain.
My description of the pain is a toothache in the center of the shoulder which send out micro ache all the way to the hand and no area is safe… A broken limb pain is minor compared to this constant ache.
I made a nice pully system in my studio with my first FS bout 4 years ago and never took it down.. Im a “Windows Programmer/3d Animator”
This time its my right arm which I use my mouse with and earn a living for my family..”5 Kids 8-21″ My shoulder skin is burned by Caspian pepper creams and Sports rubs, “bengay,Icy hot,Liquid Heet,Tiger Balm, and my favorite Capsian lotion “Screaming Toast”
I also have a bungee cord system for exercises.. anyhow I am not using any Pain killers this time..”Vicoden” I simply refuse. Advil 100 mgs per hour “2 pills every 4 hours”
But I have increased my Heinekens from 2 a night “after 5 only” to 3-5 drinking 1 every hour. this is my relief ..I have never had a drinking problem yet “42 years old”… but getting Vicoden from a doctor makes me feeling like im a drug addict because “Frozen Shoulder” sympathy is almost non existent in the medical field…
Trigger Point Therapy is the way to help as well. I made my own peg board for this technic and lay down on it to deactivate certain muscles around the shoulder. I am looking to see a trigger point therapist in the near future… non the less if you have never had this condition you will not feel much empathy for those who do ..
God If I could only be in a hot bath 24/7 .
Hang in there .. Thawing is not as painful
Sincerely in True Pain,
as Freezing stage but reminds you of the past
Mike
June 10th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Hi, Mike.
My physical therapist said I do not have adhesive capsulitis, that it is, in fact a shoulder impingement because I have a type 2 hooked acromion which is associated with a greater incident of impingement syndrome.
I was lucky this time; my physical therapist is a doctor of physical therapy and has returned the mechanics to the area. But what you said about unfreezing isn’t true; the shoulder is the most painful area to receive physical therapy for an injury such as this; that’s been told to me by several physical therapists. They don’t know why; but it is mostly ligaments and tendons and doesn’t receive a lot of blood circulation.
According to Whitney Lowe, LMT, NCTMB:
“Shoulder impingement involves compression of soft tissues between the head of the humerus and the underside of the acromion process or coracoacromial ligament.”
My physical therapist said although I’ve returned to near-normal range of motion, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again. Pain on both sides has reduced and for the first time in three years I am able to perform simple movement without much pain, like put on my jacket, or reach for the seat belt.
I’ll pray for your issues, and I’m glad you found some kind of a way to deal with the pain, it is irritating and an emotional challenge as it wears on you over time, I know.
July 8th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I have frozen shoulder syndrome. Have been to Physical Therapy and Acupuncturist. None have helped. My pain is worse in the evening during sleeping hours. Can anyone recommend anything for pain? Mine is in both shoulders.
Thanks,
Frances
July 8th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Hi Francis,
I am in the frozen stage of my right shoulder.
I had my left freeze 4 years ago.
Please remember this if not anything else.
IT WILL GET BETTER. This is what you need to do. Buy Icey Hot , Bengay Extra Strength , Capsasin High pontency and any other Hot or Minty Rub… What you need is to get the blood flowing … A hot water bottle will be needed as well. I cant even imagine both shoulders. Physical therapy is a pain enhancer STAY AWAY From them .. they are trying to increase your range of motion …
Your body is freezing the shoulders because it is telling you to STOP using and reinjuring the shoulders… Next dont stop using your shoulders but try to stay within the limited range that they are freezing to. Advil 2 -200mg every 4 hours.. this will make the Capsule of the shoulder less inflamed. Hot Showers and Baths are also Ideal… what you need to do is treat the pain .. I am sure you are still freezing
which is the 1st stage. once they are totally frozen the pain will subside and you will feel the muscles banding into bunches or hard cords … the adhesions are doing this.. when you can feel these cords with your hands try to press on them or have a loved one press on the cords for a 30 seconds at a time. This Forum is not the place to get help . Please email me at sellmarc@hotmail.com for more info on what to do .. I have to leave now and cant finish this . I will help you with this as I have had this happen twice and i’m in the middle of this at the present.. Sincerely, Mike
July 11th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I just happened on this blog in my search for answers to the excruciating pain I have experienced off and on and today I was told I had frozen shoulder. It in some way helps to know so many others feel this way-as my active life has come to a halt- momentarily- I guess I’ll find ways to dress different and no chapstick in my upper levi little pocket!
I feel your pain!
Denise
July 12th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
About 3 months ago I fell on my back. I landed squarely on both shoulders. I was at a meeting in the snowing WA mountains - beautiful - but I slipped a least 4 more times falling on my back - I was in pain. I did not realize that I was in so much pain until 2 months later I could not loop my belt around my pants! I am also a diabetic of 35 years, but have have no complications.
I went to see an Ortho Surgeon. He said “frozen Shoulder” , gave me a prednisone pack and the pain went away …. then when I stopped taking it it was back. Did PT about 7 times and saw a Chiropractor about 5 times — the Chiropractor was much more helpful.
The pain is constant usually … taking Naproxen Sodium 500mg 2 x a day - with little relief for the last 2 months. I wake up often with pain and have to lay on my back to sleep - can’t sleep on my shoulders! I can raise my arms above my head and put them behind my back with discomfort (are they frozen yet?)
The surgeon says it’s time to put me under and manipulate the tendons and then 2 weeks of PT and lots home exercises. He says it will be painfull, but worth it.
Has anyone else tried this??
He said the next step would be surgery if results are not good within a year or the pain does not go away. Sounds a bit aggressive, but I have had a second opinion and the same was said.
Any thoughts?
Scott
July 12th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Hey Scott,
Blood Sugar can Trigger Frozen Shoulder.
Its a common ailment of diabetes .
Google for more info
Sincerely,
Mike
July 12th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
The thing that bothers me about this is…that although I’m past the worst of it, my physical therapist said I could re-injure it. So…I’m still afraid to do anything!
It’s a frustrating thing.
July 13th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Thanks Mike, I have been told told that daibetes can trigger FFS, but until my fall I was fine.
I was wondering about he pain and the suggestion that I under go the procedure with the Ortho Sergeon with manipulation while under general anesthesia (sp)?
What experiences has anyone had with that. I am scheduled to do an MRI next week and review.. I can’t take 3 years of this. ..plus my HA1c is close to 6.5 as I use an insulin pump and check my glucose leveles about 6-8 times a day.
July 13th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Cao,
I guess we never expect the worst, but anything can happen again .. it’s moving throuhg the process. Thanks for starting this! I wish you the best!
Scott
July 13th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Thanks, Scott, I hope everyone in this thread is able to recover without much pain.
I never knew about this phenomenon, and it’s been a difficult and painful road to recovery; and I’m still not 100%. Doc says I may never have 100% range of motion or relief from the pain. Plus, I hate to think I am just predisposed to doing it again…ugh.
July 13th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Hi Scott, That treatment to describe I believe also has risks involved. Having someone wrenching your shoulder through its range of motion while you are knocked out
is something I passed on . You have only had this problem for 3 months from the original injury. I am not a doctor but
many who deal with this injury and specialize seem to take 2 approaches.
Try to fix it at once … or let nature take its course. I started feeling my second FSS bout starting in March 4 months later Im almost in the frozen stage. The intensive 24/7 aching is becoming more dull…
damp weather is worst. Naproxcin does not do a thing for me while Advil is better for me and is easier on the stomach. Both shoulder freezing like yours must be a nightmare. Does Heatlamp ,Hotwater bottle or heating pads help ? I spend $25.00 a week on Icy hot and Capzacin type products that really bring relief.
You are Still Freezing if you can do all that movment with your shoulders. this stage is the worst.. I Would wait and treat the pain for the moment . Quality of life not range of motion is your concern at the moment. I cant stress enough on heat and blood flow. I went through the Medical Gauntlet for my other shoulder and it all ends with the MRI. This time I am DOCTOR FREE.. and My results are the same as last time except no Doctor appointents. You can also buy 2 Heating pads that are designed for the shoulders. they strap on securely for a 360 degree of wrapping heat.
Sincerely,
Mike
July 13th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Thanks Mike, My Ortho Surgeon wants me to do an MRI to see how much damage there is. I have noticed that when i sit in a hot tub it really helps.
I have not seem the shoulder heating pads, but will look — I am not convinced that twisting my shoulders is a good idea, but MAN, the doctors really want to do this.
I happened that about 8 years ago I was involved in an auto accident. Someone hit me while I was stopped at a light. After about 1 month I had terrible neck pain and pain down my arms - found out I had a herniated disk at C5. Well, the NeuroSurgeon wanted to do surgery ASAP ******** the disks together. I was in termendous pain — 40mg of oxycontin 2 times a day did not stop the pain. I did numerous tests and was assured that surgury would be best - I was seeing a surgeon however …
I held out for 5 months … and the pain went away and ROM was fine.
I do belive that waiting is best, but I really hate the dull pain and at night terrible pain.
I hope we all get through this … nice to know one is not alone, but it is not nicer to know the pain others are having.
Best,
Scott
July 13th, 2007 at 11:43 am
I guess the ****** means it did not like the word i used, but it was “fused with clamps” and I used the word that could be misunderstood as a “bad” word.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I’ve been healthy all my life. No problems. Nothing.
Until frozen shoulder. It is an ugly-pain, hard to treat condition. I have one frozen shouler (still freezing after 6 months) and another that apparently feels so left out that its begun to freeze as well.
I’ve never been through anything like this and it feels like a curse, like God *has* said ‘oh too bad, live with it’.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Hi M,
Hang in there. sometimes the other shoulder has to do so much extra work it becomes sore. im just about frozen now and 5 hours of sleep at a time is heaven . remember heat heat heat. Try some capsasin pepper creams .. they will give you some real relief
benguay ,Icy hot and Mineral ice all help give you temp pain relief. second time for me. usually never happens to the same shoulder twice.
Sincerely,
Mike
July 20th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I don’t know, Mike, I was warned that I am prone to this type of injury and that it could happen again.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:29 am
Hi Cao, Mike, Scott. I first found out I had a partial torn rotator cuff about a month
ago. It started when I tripped and took the fall by putting out my left arm and shoulder.
Not even a bruise but the shoulder was sore.
I ignored it, as I thought I had just bruised it. Then think babying it was the way to go. I made it worse. Finally I started losing flexibility and mobility. And sleep became impossible. After a visit to an Orthpedist and one MRI, partial rotator cuff tear and tendonitis. After one month of therapy I can now again put in hot rollers on back of head.
And I can touch my waist band in the back, almost getting above that. After one month my orthopedist told me there was a procedure he could do to hasten the recovery. My therapist warned me against this. She said the bruising and pain would be severe. Basically they go in there while you are under and just tear open all the capsulation.
It does not come without risks. And since my sugar is at 113 and I am about 20 pounds overweight. I do not want to go that route. My brother had this after lifting too heavy of weights at the gym and his took a full year to recover. He kept using exercise machine just more conservative through the pain. If you go the exercise route, you must be aggressive. And yes, once it has been torn it can happen again, and is more likely.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:33 am
ps, that was my flickr account. Also forgot to mention the therapist got permission to try some sort of transdermal infusion with a steroid liquid, dexe something. Only had two treatments. Can’t tell the difference so far.
But I definitely notice such improvement, though soreness, after exercise.
July 21st, 2007 at 10:14 am
As painful as the physical therapy route is, exercise definitely helps.
Unfortunately I think there will be some level of pain all of the time no matter what.
July 21st, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Thanks for the replies. I’ll take this section ofyour blog as a sort of informal support group dynamic.
I’m told me FSH is a result of misuse - and I’ve been tested for most of the other origins - and requesting a few more tests. I could feel an odd weakness in my shoulder for months prior to the actual frezzing and pain - which was due to using it wrong. I’m sorry that I ignored the warning signs. I had no idea what I was headed for.
I’ve done plenty of research and found that there seems to be no origins in anything psychosomatic - although I am convinced that the mind is powerful enough to thwart healing (such as in my case). So I’ve decided that I am not going to keep becoming adversary’s little b*tch and rely on God meeting me where I sit.
Physical therapy is horribly painful - mostly the next day! But I keep going. I started with zero range. Now I have about 5%. That is something. This disorder really brings up whatever buried emotions may be there, shines a light on them and begs self introspection and life changes.
Today I joined the gym (at the urging of the therapist treating me). Just for lower body; upper body is well, useless. For now. Yes heat feels good good good. And there is something very therapuetic about doing positive things. I will try the pepper cream you mentioned, Steve.
I’m very happy this blog is here. I never hoped for any sort of ongoing communiation when I came here. I’m happy and surprised. Thank you for sharing your story, Cao. There is power in sharing; it disempowers negative.
July 21st, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Thanks, M. I think we can help each other and learn from each other. And I always benefit from these exchanges, even if I’m just reading and not commenting.
You are all welcome to come back any time. The door is open.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:17 am
I was speaking to a friend of mine and did not realize that she was an Occupational Therapist - we where at he home and she did a few tests for ROM on my shoulders and re-verified that I had lost some range (you should be able to have your arms at 90 degrees to your shoulder and I am at about 60 degrees). Her comments in working with people with this condition is that, “Yes, it will get better on it’s own a some point, but do NOT stop exercising and reaching for things. As the scar tissue is short, not moving with make it shorter and more difficult to increase ROM and increase pain. Her advise, from her experience is that manipulation under general anesthesia, so long as it is gentle (ask the doctor what he/she intends to do) and followed up with 2-3 weeks of TP tends to elongate the scar tissue - which is the best one can ask for without surgery.”
In chatting with other friends, I have found others who are suffering from FSS or at one point did. All indicated it was a good 2-3 year process. One found simply that Yoga daily was the answer, others did PT and waited it out, and one other did the manipulation. The one that did the manipulation was aggressive and persistent with at home PT everyday - slowly pulling the scar tissue - but recovered within 1.5 years. In all, it seems that once you have the scar tissue, you are prone to getting it again unless you keep the scar tissue elongated and not short. Oddly, while I like heat for the pain, some told me they did heat before working out, then ice bags which helped even more.
I quess we each neeed to find our own way. I think I am going to do the manipulation and get moving — let you know how it’s working in a couple of weeks.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:24 am
BTY, so may want to verify that you don’t have TOS (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome). While very different, some of the symptoms aare pain in the shoulders and arms and hands. You can find lots on the net about it.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Hello All, I currently have F.S.S. in my right shoulder. It seemed like it started around Feb/March of this year. I was in a car crash in June of 2006. This would be about 8 months after the car crash that I noticed the bad shoulder. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether the F.S.S. could be related to the car crash, 8 months later.. Thanks for any input…………..
July 24th, 2007 at 9:39 am
I just read everyones story, and brought tears to my eyes. I thought I was going crazy with all this pain from my two frozen shoulders. PT helps, and exercise, and motrin, but yup, that pain is always there!!! I am off to find my icy-hot, I did try the pool, but swimming will aggravate the condition so, alittle motion seems best using a foam noodle for support. I also have a torn MCL, herniated L4 disc, and osteroarithritis all came at once. I am not even 60. So this has been a challenge to me.
July 24th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Sounds terrible, Judy, you have my prayers, too.
July 25th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
The cause of frozen shoulder and a procedure to instantly resolve it is now known. I have posted a web site frozenshoulderdoctor.com that discusses the discovery. Since the story was first posted the record of instant relief is 52 for 52 successful frozen shoulder resolution. Hope you look into this.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:22 am
It’s called Murphy Quick Release, but you have to go to one doctor to get it, I guess.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:38 am
It is comforting to know others are experiencing this excrutiating pain … makes you feel you’re not alone. I believe mine came on with lifting a heavy object ’suddenly’ and carring it for some distance … none-the-less I haven’t had a good night’s sleep for almost 3 months! Have been to 12 physical therapy sessions .. they do help with ROM, but the last exercise (pulling elastic strip secured to door - shoulder blades together, then pulling back further, holding for 5 sec. .. then releasing slowly with affected (left) hand. I think I overdid this and now the pain is worse than ever. My shoulder MRI came back with no evidence of anything, except the comment ‘mild cystic resorptive changes’ … whatever that means.
I also get sharp heavy pains that come and go and I can’t pinpoint where they come from (some place in my chest or back or ribs?).. makes me wonder if a disc is involved, but no evidence of numbness or anything I could relate to nerve damage. I try NOT taking pain pills… I have been physically active all my life - last year played tennis an average of four times a week … then moved to an area where there isn’t much tennis. Sometimes I wonder if change in life style might have contributed to this. I have a referral to an orthopedic doctor and am waiting to find out when the appt. is. I can ’shrug’ my shoulder with no pain, but reaching over my head, around behind my back and across my body is very painful and restricted. I think it would be too coincidental to have a disc problem AND similar symptoms to frozen shoulder, unless it is discovered discs are an underlying cause. At first, 3mos ago, both arms were affected .. my right arm was onhly slightly affected and has improved to an acceptable level.. but the fact that BOTH arms are affected to any degree tells me it is NOT isolated to a shoulder … has to be something in the middle. Feels like a torn muscle or tendon.
About 4 years ago I took bone density medication for two years .. bone density improved, so I stopped for two years; out of frustration I had a confidential body scan about 3 weeks ago and was told I have ’severe osteoporosis’ in my lower back .. I started taking the bone density medication again. Makes me wonder if stopping after two years caused a reaction … or whether bone density could even have anything to do with this. I don’t have any lower back pain.
I wonder what type of scan shows tendons, muscles and discs of back and cervical area? I know the scan I paid $750 for didn’t even show the cervical vertebrae (probably because I couldn’t raise my left arm over my head. There was a clear view of the other vertebrae.
I’m not sure who this email goes to … is it to Mike? Anyway, Mike, thank you for being there and making it possible to read others comments. I will be anxious to hear back from you.
Lenore
July 26th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I had a boss who used to say ‘Well if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is’. Still, who knows. Most claims are worth investigating.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Hi Lenore ,
Welcome to the FSS Club.
3 months into this freezing process is
Hang in there. Stay AWAY From PT .. You need to manage the pain .
the worst.
I exercised u to the point when the pain was getting worse.. I believe thats were you are now. I am 99% frozen now and finally sleeping 5-6 hours straight.
Hang in there and get heat on the shoulder as often as you can . Blood flow Blood flow Blood flow. can’t stress it enough.
By following the course of action I described in my above comments I was able to shave 2-3 months off the freezing process.
Hang in there .. IT WILL GET BETTER!
Dr. Murphey is only doing Pressure point release technic I described above as well ..Find the hardened cords in your should and press and rub them often .
“poly- Vector” means he is looking at a 3-d wire frame model of a shoulder and moving from polygonal face to face that maps out the shoulder is where they start pressing on these cords to release the muscle tension .
Sincerely, Mike
July 26th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
I’m 4 or 5 months into the freezing, I think - and PT does not do a thing. The pain is constant as is the pulling sensation which makes more pain. The shooting pains are gone - those went a few months ago. PT is not helping it seems and the thought of more pain makes me feel so despondent that I don’t even care - the pain after PT is so bad that I can’t function. My job is affected and I’ll be losing it soon. Which .. may not be so bad since the demands are so heavy.
It feels utterly hopeless, and talk about feeling depressed.
I’m not even trying to smile right now.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:24 am
I have helped people come out of frozen shoulders. Please see case study at http://www.robinreiki.com/page10.htm
Best wishes
July 27th, 2007 at 9:07 am
M, STAY AWAY FROM THE PT ROM PSYCOS!!!
I can’t say it enough STAY AWAY. You are at that point . It’s time to
stop ripping the capsule 2 - 3 days a week.
Concetrate on Pain Management. Heat lamp, hot water bottles ,Heat and
Pepper Rubs & Advil.
My own Doctor told me that they are not helping and to STAY AWAY. some
22year old kid yanking on your arm
is not helping for crying outload your shoulder is telling you to STOP
.. thats why it hurts so bad. You will be amazed at how much
better you will feel after you stop.
Sincerely,
Mike
July 27th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I am curious, my pain has increased - now probably in month 4 - I do stretching exercises when I can - gentle and while it hurts it kind of stretches my shoulders enough so I keep some range of motion. My Dr. says “Let’s do the manipulation and then 2-3 weeks PT.
I see Mike’s doctor has a different opinion - maybe it depends on the stage of the condition.
I have been in pain enough to wake up every 2-3 hours at night. My doctor pretty much says - just hang in - “WHERES’S the sympathy?” I don’t want to be on pain killers all day, but my shoulders are sore, tight, pinching, and pain radiates down to elbow.
Do I have the wrong Orthopedic Surgeon? Yet he wants to “manipulate me under general anesthesia” to putt the scar tissue.
Hot does work, but you also have to get movement to get blood into the area.
Some sites state that the manipulation is “barbaric” at least by European Standards.
Has anyone undergone any procedure besides medication? And Mike, may I ask if you are on NSAIDS?
July 27th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Hi Scott,
My first FSS I used Celebrex, Bextra, Vicodin
This shoulder im using Advil only.
I shovel 1 1/2″ crushed stone last 3 days.
Just didnt go beyond ROM . My ROM is only around 5 degrees. i dont once the ROM gets this small.. but keep using it… I know we all look silly reaching now it look like a toddlers movement
Just put Some Capsaicin and Im felling good.. 2 weeks ago I was Still in massive pain… Becuase I stretched all the way up to the point of 5 degrees ROM I can do alot.. but you will notice fast reflex movement can Send a blood curdling Jolt of pain through my arm still
Sincerely,
Mike
July 27th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
lets discuss degrees? when I raise my arms (fist uo and toward my body) , my elbows are not equal with my my shoulders. They are about 30 degrees lower than my shoulders ( that is if I were making an muscle of by bicept. I could only go to about 60% of the shoulder - wher my kids can make a “muscle” with thier fist touching their ear - I go about 30 degrees from my ear (down) –
Why are you not using higher dose of NSAIDS this time??
July 28th, 2007 at 12:02 am
Hi Mike,
The man who has been doing PT is 44 and experienced enough with FSS to know that my arm is just still in the freezing stage. It’s been 5 months, but I guess the FSS has no particular timeline. I do think I’m starting to come out of the pain, but I stopped PT and yes, I feel better. In my case it was time to stop PT. My shoulder loves heat and sucks it up. I haven’t taken anything for the pain. Until now. I take it as needed. Guess I’ve become so accostumed to living with this pain after all that one Ultram made me realize how much pain I’ve been in. Ultram is good for a once in awhile deal as its just too powerful and the side effects are not cute (mostly itching and nausea - which are worth it for that once in awhile relief).
So now, no stretching, no PT. Just heat and, don’t laugh, but I talk to my shoulder and tell it everything will be okay. The other thing is stress; stress is not kind to FSS. I notice so much more pain and discomfort when I’m stressed out. One moment its getting worse and the next I have bette ROM. For me, the answer is getting rid of the job and doing something without all the responsibility.
I hope everyone here is finding something, some plan of action that works. This is such a painful syndrome and so unruly.
Mike, is this primary FSS for you? it is for me.
Soctt, NSAIDS worked for me. Well almost; my stomach couldn’t take them so I went months without relief. Try to find a doctor who has faith in you and natural healing. Surgery is the last resort.
July 28th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Cao,
How are things going for you? did you need pain meds? Did you try the manipulation of your shoulders under general anesthesia?
I seem to have a Ortho Sur who does not think my pain is enough or that it is the right thing to use.
Have many of you found doc’s unwilling to give pain meds for this condition?
Scott
July 28th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Yes, my doc is unwilling to give pain meds.
I am doing okay, although some days I really feel it - when I’ve spent too much time on the computer.
I need to stretch and get away from it and do other things - let the bands rest.
The thing is, I can’t do that forever!
thanks for asking, Scott, I’m a lot better, pain is less than it was 6 months ago, and my left arm is no longer frozen.
Still, I long for a painfree day.
What about you?
July 29th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I am having trouble understanding the “freeze” as my shoulders hurt and while I can move them if they were to both “freeze” it would seem like a major disability -
Has anyone had to stop working or need special accomdations at work to continue working?
July 29th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I haven’t stopped working throughout this horrible ordeal and it’s been three years.
When they freeze, you just can’t put on your coat, or -like when the right one froze, I could not lift my arm very high, and I could not move it backwards very far. So like if my shoulder blade itched, I couldn’t reach up to itch it. Someone else had to wash my back when I would bathe.
Driving hurt, but I could still do it. I was not restricted to any activities.
It was just impossible to lift my hands over my head to put on a pullover sweater. In essence, it was a challenge just to dress myself. The best were button-down-the-front type shirts, and skirts that I could just pull up…rather than pants with zippers and buttons.
You still have a life, it just has to be adjusted.
July 29th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Hi Scott,
Frozen is easy to see.stand in front of mirror with hands to the side.
Slowly raise your arms as if you are making the letter “T” . watch each shoulder if the shoulder itself starts to rise then you are frozen…if the joint actually rotates and the shoulder stays put at 90 degrees you are not ..while freeezing you start to lose the degrees. this is the most painful stage . I started to feel the pain in Feb. I was frozen 5 1/2 months later.
Stretching did not stop the process. Stop stretching when you are at 15 degrees or less.
Sincerely,
Mike
July 29th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Thanks for the feedback.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I’ve stopped all PT and stretching and am only applying heat.
BIG DIFFERENCE.
The pain is subisding and ROM has improved a degree or so. Most importantly, pain is subsiding. The time for PT is obviously not in freezing stage, I guess. My FSS is so bad I have less than 5% ROM, but the important thing: THE FRICKEN’PAIN IS SUBSIDING; I could run naked through the streets I’m so relieved. The immflamation seems to be lessening. Maybe I’m finally in the frozen stage; if so, what a relief. I’ve read PT is for certain stages of the disorder.
The other arm which was threatening to freeze went through weeks where it would begin freezing and then loosen up; stress maybe. It’s doing better and gaining strength.
I want to say its getting better but the whole thing’s been so bloody traumatizing that I’m scared to.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:27 pm
HEY M,
That is Great News!!
5 days of No PT and added heat has changed it all !! thats great.. now you will deal with some waxing and waning of the pain. hang in there!
you were really bummed 5 days ago .
Bedtime may still not be as comfortable as you like but that will soon come .. keep using the arm for normal stuff when possible and yes the occasional reach for a cup in the cupboard .
ouch!
Sincerely,
Mike
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I saw an orthopedic dr. yesterday and he gave an injection in my shoulder .. quite a bit of relief .. I slept last night waking up 3 times, but didn’t have to get up and put heat on or walk around! The dr. encouraged agressive physical therapy. Still kind of believe in pushingas long as there’s not more pain than advisable. Stretchng and holding seems like it should be good. But for sure seems like there has to be a healing process going on too.
“Frozen Shoulder” is not understood. I believe there is more involved .. possibly damage to soft tissues (ligaments or muscles, etc.) that don’t show in an x-ray … just trying to learn and understand this thing!
Lenore
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Hey Mike,
Well, I may have spoken too soon, or maybe too hopefully. It’s just so frozen that it’s alarming; you know? Today I went to the doctor and he said point blank:
Without surgery, you stand have a very slim chance of ever getting your range of motion back.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY? Yes I am shouting. Of course, there’s the chance he might be right.
He said something about ’scraping calcium off’ and ‘the inflammation causes calcium build up which in turn causes more inflammation’.
I was too timid too just come right out and ask ‘So. Have you ever even heard of frozen shoulder?’.
For a 20$ copay I can get an MRI. So I am going to do that. I’m curious. But surgery? What is wrong with the medical community? And to state such a thing without even so much as an MRI? *****WTF****
Despite the lunacy of this visit today, I walked out dejected.
Things are just rough right now.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:48 pm
‘Not understood’ is a huge understatement, Lenore. I think the medical community is so frustrated with it that they end up saying very stupid things to people who suffer from it.
Add that in this age, let’s face it, no one wants to really touch their patients; a lot of PTs don’t even want to invest the time. And therapy requires touching.
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:10 am
I have insomnia. But no pain. So, Scott, my right is frozen. It feels.. well it feels as though its actually glued itself up into my body, It’s locked tight. The pain has decresed (i know that cannot be spelled right, but who cares, eh). Freezing stage is the worst because you’re losing something precious: range of motion, and all the while its happening, the pain can be B A D BAD. Its at this stage that PT just doesn’t help. Well, didn’t help me, but I’ve had/have a very bad case of FSS; severe they call it. I wont do PT just yet but I found some very good exercises which, when I’m actually coherant, I will post. These are great ones that won’t work against first stage freezing, and they were compiled by a man who knows frozen shoulder well.
Hopefully, all our stories can help each other. Mike’s stories have helped me.
Too tired to go on; time to sleep, surrounded by pillows to prop up my arms to make them feel more comfy — you all know the drill!
heheh
Happy and fast healing, all. We gotta keep on keeping on.
August 4th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Hello,
I have had frozen shoulder in my right shoulder which is now about 85% recovered. My left shoulder started going the same way and is just now going to the freezing stage. PT did nothing for me at all. Time is all that helped my right shoulder and I took pain medicine to get some sleep at night.
One thing you will find is that the medical community knows nothing about frozen shoulder other than it exists. I found it funny that they told me what I had without any tests. Just my my pain and lack of range of motion. They can not show the problem to me on an xray or mri. They just know it happens. Women more than men, obese more than normal, and diabetic more than normal.
I had never heard of it until I had it and it took me a second opinion before I believed them. The pain seems to be different for different people. My right shoulder would be so painful at times it would drop me to my knees. My left shoulder is not as bad.
But I found something that I believe is the cause and cure. A special form of massage therapy that you can do on your own, called ‘trigger point’ therapy or massage. There is a book to be had just google it.
The premise is that muscle fibers can knot up and fail to release. Those knots can be worked out like any knotted muscle. The strange thing is that the problem area is never around the part that is in pain. To see what I mean you can do this quick exercise for some relief. If you do it often enough you will find your range of motion come back.
Take a tennis or racket ball, stand with your back to a wall and place the ball behind your shoulder blade and between you and the wall. Lean into the ball to add pressure and move your body so that it rolls the ball around. You should find up to three points that are very very tender. While you feel that tenderness you will notice that it sends some signals down your arm and shouldeer area. Those are the trigger points that need to be massaged.
There are other trigger points involved as well, but are harder to describe and find. Look the book up. It was cheap from Amazon.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Interesting! Thanks.
August 5th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Hi Folks, well I’m glad I found this site as it is more informative then the Doctor that I have seen 3 times in the past 8 weeks, and having had therapy 11 times during that period. It was on the third trip to the doctor, last week, that he announced that I have FS. I suppose I don’t ask enough questions but that was about the extent of the conversation other than to check back in a month and continue to do the exercises at home.
What I am wondering is if the condition I have will get worse before better. I currently have a problem getting my wallet out of the rear pocket and a very painful movement would be similar to if say you were quickly throwing some ice out of a cup out your window while driving, elbow at side with the hand going up and out to the side.
Thanks and good luck to all.
Paul
August 5th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Hi Paul,
welcome to FS .
Yes, that quick movement you mention, can probably be the most pain you ever felt in your entire life. touching something hot and your reflex movement will do the same. When you get to the frozen stage your “collar bone” clavicle will be your new shoulder pivot point,,,, every way you rotate your shoulder joint is now forcing your clavicle to move instead.. honestly Paul, I don’t think you are there yet. You haven’t mentioned sleeping problems,,,, this is a general problem during the painful stage.
Sincerely,
Mike
August 6th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Update: Had MRI done last week - went in to orthopedic surgeon for “results”. He said left should looks okay (although ROM is not great) and that right shoulder was inflamed.
I asked him about “freezing”, “frozen”, etc. He kinda babbled on that is was frezining and frozen and that it happens together????? He did not make much sense to me.
I told him that I am having terrible pain at night, esp. when I awake sleeping on shoulders. My right side is very painful and I have have some muscle weakness in my shoulder recently. As I pucked up a cup of coffee with my right hand, my shoulder just “fell” and the coffee cup dropped to the table - he did not seem too interested in this.
The most relief I got was taking prednisone for the swelling. He gave me a script for that and 30 Vicodin and 12 PT visits for the next month. He says that while many say heat is good, it also has a tendency to “swell” the area and cold is probably better now.
So, I have had 8 PT sessions in my first 2 months, now in my 4th month I am prescribed 12 more sessions with some pain meds - not a lot mind you - and prednisone and NSAIDS. He says that 97% of people get better with PT alone. Before, he was talking about doing manipulation under general anesthesia, but he said that my ROM was good enough to try PT again.
As Mike said on 7/29 - I can make a T - almost — where my arms extened out are still about 20 degrees from being straight. It is painful to hold in that position. The doc says some can barely move their hands away from their body.
I guess I will give the PT a try again.
The one thing I can’t do — can anyone here do it???? is to touch my elbows together in front of my body. They stop about a foot way from eachother.
Has anyone figured how not to roll over while sleeping?? I asked the doc and he just found it humorus — not even a suggestion. I find that I sleep “better” when I sleep sitting up in a chair and I have little pain, but I don’t think I’m getting a sound sleep.
August 6th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
To Paul:
Unfortunately, there is no formula to calculate how bad it will get, but there are some things to take into consideration. First, how long have you been experiencing your symtpoms? (never mind my typo(s); thanks!) As a general rule, FSS comes in three delightful stages: freezing (6 weeks to 9 months); frozen (anywhere from 7 weeks to a year) and thawing (they say 6 months to 3 years). Those ranges about cover most people, but don’t hold me to those - there is a lot of info out there (which we all should admit is often off the mark; eh?).
It almost sounds like you’re in the pre freezing stage - that is the most painful. Or it was for me anyway. Great inflammation. But if you’re still in the first several months and you’re not totally frozen - then in my opinion (which could possibly just be so wrong) you may have a chance of recovery without the total freeze. If your doc has given you NSAIDS, and your tummy can withstand them - take them. They say use ice. Ice is good for surface swelling but let’s face it, ice cannot get into the core of the shoulder mechanism. I was told ice is good for pain relief but as far as bringing down the inflammation, it doesn’t work well; try pouring cold water on the ground to see if it cools the earths molten core - that’s how effective I’ve found ice. Good for a nice pain relief, though. Someone correct me if they think that’s not correct.
My FSS is primary, meaning it happened to a very healthy woman. However, one thing I can trace it to, or several thngs: bad posture, too much slumping at the computer, and improper use of shoulders. FSS is like a wake up call; it has been a huge wake up call for me. The hardest thing about this has been that I have to change my whole lifestyle and do nicer things for myself. Sounds good, but its hard to change. So watch your posture, and how you sit. Don’t force your arm to reach into your back pocket until that imflammation has gone down. This syndrome requires us to re-do our daily lives. Someone, I think it was Mike, said he excerises his shoulders within his ROM. He could not be more correct. I think that’s key, and very important.
Again, if you can stand NSAIDS - take them. Be patient with yourself. I’ll be honest, this thing isn’t a short term deal. It could go on for some time, but I do remember when it first started for me in Feb this year, and I know, had I listened to my body and gotten care, I’d be far less disabled now - so listen listen listen listen to your body; it speaks.
I am going to post something for you, and everyone, that I found, later tonight or tomorrow. I have found it very helpful. I’d do it now but my shoulder is urging me to get off this computer.
God be with you, Paul. And listen listen listen to your shoulder.
August 6th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
This blog was like finding a drink in the desert. I stumbled upon it while crying at my computer, despondent from weeks and weeks of pain. First came searing sciatica (which continues) and now frozen shoulder, tendonitis, and a bone spur all in my right shoulder. My Doc will give NO pain meds even though there have been times I’ve wanted to put my head through the wall the pain was so intense. I haven’t gotten more than 3 hrs. sleep a night in weeks; sometimes I just stay up into the next day. The cortisone shot (5 days ago) hurt worse than all 70 hours of natural labor I’ve endured combined; I actually screamed in the office. It has done nothing for the pain so far. Two sessions of PT have only aggravated things. I could barely get myself back standing out of their “pendulum swing” position. I’m supposed to go 3X wk. I was a massage therapist before this pain started and had to close my thriving practice. My sanity is my gardening (forget it) and working with clay and all kinds of art mediums in my studio (forget that too) so now I’m fighting depression because life as I know it has come to an end. I’m hearing impaired, so these things gave my life deep meaning without requiring me to be in a ‘hearing world.’ Now I’m confused: shots, no shots? PT, no PT? Ice, heat? My doctor is condescending and brusque. My family doesn’t understand: everything with me is invisible, so not taken as seriously as visible ailments might be. I sometimes wish frozen shoulder required a sling! I’m happy to just read that there are others out there who have this awful thing. Lately when I’ve mentioned it to people I’ve gotten a blank stare or a stupid laugh or worse: “Want me to warm it up for you?” chuckle, chuckle, and the whole thing is minimized.
August 7th, 2007 at 3:30 am
You are not alone, Donna. There are a lot of people who get this…and there can be a lot of contributing factors.
My doctor told me I have bone spurs, too, but now they’re saying I have a a type 2 hooked acromion. With that, it’s a 50/50 chance of surgery, where they would shave off the hook that’s causing the problem, or just do a workaround with physical therapy.
Unfortunately, the physical therapy alone doesn’t get rid of the pain…which is awful.
August 7th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Donna,
I don’t think any “real” doctor would not supply pain meds. I have found that those who will not have been sued in the past and have litigation issues.
I have told many about my FSS and I have yet to receive anything but sympathy and support from friends and family - it makes a diffrence even when the pain is instense. I agree that a sling would be more comfortable at times! Actually, I am sure there are more people out there with some degree of FSS, but not as bad as ours - it seems that most people I have talked to are experiencing some degree of shoulder soreness. Donna, you being a massage therapist you must have seen many people with stiff tight backs and shoulders??
Last night I sleep with ice packs on my shoulders - not only did they keep me from rolling on my side, but I did not have as much pain - which could be from not sleeping on my side more than the ice packs.
Good Luck!
August 7th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Hi Scott,
Please be careful sleeping with Ice Packs.
Ice should never be applied to any part of the body for more than 15-20 minutes a time.
Falling asleep on 1 on your neck could be worse than any FSS .
Sincerely,
Mike
August 7th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Hi Donna,
I had the same experience with cortizone shot to the back of the shoulder. It seemed to make it worse and gave no relief.
Doctors usually tell patients that if the injection is not just right it will not work.
Sincerely,
Mike
August 7th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Hi Cao,
I know a woman who had that procedure
performed on her shoulder.. She dealt with frozen shoulder symptons for years but would never get better. I believe she said they did it orthiscopically,,, She had excellent results and suffers no more.
Sincerely,
Mike
August 8th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I did keep them well covered — but thanks for the heads up Mike. The prednisone (tablets) really helps me with the pain - since I started using it on Monday I have had significant reduction in pain and better ROM. Unfortunately I was palying with my kids and raised my right arm too swiftly - intense pain for about 5 minutes …
August 9th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Hi Donna,
I am sorry for your disabling pain. I am an artist, and paint with watercolors, and hope you can find someway to do something you like with your hands. Lots of heat, hot showers help, on your shoulders and motrin, if you can take it, Just don’t exceed what it says on the label to take and always take the motrin right after a big meal, or during it. Drink lots of water. Wear loose stretchy tops only. It will slowly get better, and the pain will ease off, just try not to do any sudden movements, or move your arms behind you. You can buy tube filled rice that can go in the microwave to heat up, and lay them accross your shoulder. They can also go in the freezer, so good to alternate heat and ice. Find someone who will have sympathy for you and help you. There are a lot of helpful people in the massage workforce and PT who are very helpful, if you tell them your needs. Judy, with two frozen shoulders.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:31 am
What a relief to find this site. Starting in February I could not reach behind my back with my right arm. When the left arm started 6 weeks later, I knew something other than pulling my right arm was going on. I started PT about a month ago to learn exercises. Great PT who knew all about adhesive capsulitis and she didn’t force positions if it was painful. She went on maternity leave and a young male PT put my arm in a position that was very painful. He said “no pain, no gain.” I haven’t been back. I have learned to sleep surrounded by pillows to keep me from rolling. I was told that doing the stretches during the painful stage will help me not lose range of motion as I enter the frozen stage. Any comments on that?
August 13th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Thanks so much for all this helpful information. My right shoulder seems to be now in the freezing stage (for about the last four months). I’m fortunate that enteric-coated aspirin agrees with me OK, and really seems to help with the pain. I suspect that worrying about how much worse this will get isn’t helping with the “stress” aspect of it.
I’ve had to cut back on computer use. I have to use a computer in my job, so I’ve stopped using the one at home so much. Mouse use seems to be a particular problem for aggravating my pain. Does anyone else have this issue?
Its so nice to hear that there are others out there successfully dealing with this problem. Thanks again for all the great advice.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Hi All
I am giving my own state of the shoulder adress as of today…
Well I was fully Frozen July 7th.
I no longer use any heat rubs for the last 4 days .. I still use a hot water bottle to got to bed with .
No more Advil needed for the last 2 days .
The constant ache is almost non existant.
In the past 2 weeks I have gone from 5% ROM to 45% ROM as of today.
By staying away from PT I had only 1 month of the frozen stage compared to 4 months on my first Shoulder .. My freezing stage was also cut in half by sticking with my heat regiment. I Plan to have full ROM by October. “I hope” . I will keep you posted.
Be sure to press on those hard cords in the shoulder often and heat heat heat.
Sincerely Loving Life Again ,
Mike
August 13th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Susan,
Your comment, “I was told that doing the stretches during the painful stage will help me not lose range of motion as I enter the frozen stage.” is what my doctor has told me .. but I have read diffent thoughts on this — just go through this blog. I have been doing PT at my pace; I don’t think I am frozen yet and my doc says you freeze and unfreeze during the whole process - who knows??
I still have pain on both shoulders when I sleep, but during the day it seems better. I am noticing that wearing polo shirts — it’s a bit more painful to take off and put on.
Good luck to all!
August 13th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
That’s great news Mike - maybe no PT is the way to go??
August 13th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
That rocks, Mike!
I too just went frozen and it’s such relief I can’t even tell you. The almost nearly constant throbbing hot pain in the shoulder went away mostly. Three days of rest may have done it but I think it was just God showing me some mercy, that and not doing the PT. Left shoulder has tendonitis and not frozen. I keep it from freezing by using it without tweaking it. Having been through this already, I know what to avoid. I remember when this first started. I was in such major denial about it that I’d go hiking with my camera gear and tripod, carrying that big ol tripod with the freezing shoulder because, god forbid, I should have a problem. This made it terribly worse. The trigger point stuff seems a lot more useful than stretching. I do no stretching. My ROM severely limited and I can’t raise my arm out to a T. But that horrible raw constant angry pain has lessoned so greatly that I feel almost normal. Hardly any pain when I sleep though very sore when I rise out of bed.
Susan, I don’t know about stretching. My left shoulder is threatening to go south. I stop it from doing so by using it within its range of motion without tweaking it. You’ll know you’re tweaking it when you feel a pain you know is not normal. Listen to your shoulder.
And Pati, I switched hands for the mouse. I’m left handed but used my right hand for everything but painting or drawing. I switched mouse to my left hand. Helped a lot. I can’t say enough about listening to our bodies.
August 13th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Hi Pati,
M is on the money when it comes to switching mouse from right to left .
I am a programmer/3dModler/animator.
I , for myself, coded custom speech recognition applications for use with 2 of the application I use most. 1 word could trigger as many mouse/key moves needed.
When I was in freezing stage I also used 2 mice 1 on each side to switch back and forth.. the new mouse hand gets tired easyily while its learning to be efficient.
Sincerely,
Mike
August 13th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Scott, I dunno about the freezing and unfreezing thing. I do know the left arm, which isn’t frozen yet, sometimes feels as though its freezing, and then the next day, it’s not frozen at all, just painful. Is that what your doc is referring to?
August 13th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
M-
That is how he explained it to me - he states that it is a process but not simply : freezing, frozen, thawing. He said it goes back and forth then it heals … and hopfully with a full ROM.
I am still trying to get my arms around the whole thing … too many stories, pain, no pain
S-
August 13th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I was in such amazing denial that it took me 3 months to finally switch my mouse. Every day I’d think ‘do this’. My denial about FSS was so deep because I’d never had a single physical issue in my life. Now I realize that I might have avoided the severity of this. Live and learn I guess. What I’ve learned most by reading you all is that everyone is different, but the body usually guides us to what we need, if we listen. What a journey.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Scott,
Yeah you’re right; too many stories. Seems for every doctor and therapist, there’s a completely different way of treating this. I’ve found more help here on this blog than I have anyplace else. If someone’s story resonates with me, I try their way, as I did with Mikes thought: No PT. For me, PT was counterproductive because I was still freezing. So I laid off and the pain greatly subsided, strength is coming back, and ROM is slowly improving. I’ve been thinking about putting together a web site where people can post their stories. I have all these domains and they do nothing. I’ve never been afflicted with anything, so this has been big for me. I think there’s more power and wisdom here on this blog than we can imagine.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
You might have something there…I put this up in March…and the comments are still going strong. It seems that there aren’t too many places where people can go to talk about this, and there are a lot of people out there who are suffering with it.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
M-
That would be great - having it is different than telling people what to do with FSS. My doc could not even suggest that I place pillows around me so I would not roll over when I asked him! He sure wants to rack up the PT $$$ and shots and in the end he’d be more than happy to do surgery, but that simple question … he just could not answer.
There is a time and place for everthing - fortunately for us, we have found this blog — it has really helped me in knowing and understanding all the possibilities that I should be asking about.
S-
August 13th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Cao,
I realized what was happening here after I followed Mike’s lead. It hit me: there is power in the wisdom of many stories. We can take what works and leave the rest and what works for me may not work for you, etc. If this wasn’t such a crippling, painful syndrome, I might have just gotten better and ignored those in pain. Now, I know I’ll never be able to do that. And it’s not just the physical pain; the mental anguish is deep sometimes.
All these people here because you posted your story. And people are being helped by reading others’ stories and then wisely choosing their own healing process. The medical profession won’t address this aspect. Guess we need to.
August 13th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
It’s been a healing thing for me-just seeing these comments dribble in…comforting to know that I’m not alone in this…thanks, M.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Thanks to all for the info. Two weeks since I’ve seen a PT and pain has subsided somewhat. I now stretch just until it doesn’t feel like normal pain and stop. I still have to sleep on back. Pain has been going on since February, so I’m looking forward to the frozen stage. This site has been encouraging.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Reading this has been incredibly helpful. I’d never even heard of Capzasin before. But I started using it yesterday. Maybe you can help me, though–do folks use both capzasin and icy/hot and bengay? Do you alternate? What do you find works the best. How often do you usually apply. I got about 6 hrs of sleep last night, but then had to use some heat. I was careful, though. Also, massage therapy is helping some, but I don’t want to have cream on when I got for it because I don’t want my talented therapist to get the stuff on her hands. Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Hello again everyone, and many thanks to CAO for this great blog. I added a few comments on #61 which was about 9 days ago. My condition isn’t really improving but it isn’t getting worse either. I stopped therapy over 2 weeks ago and continue to do some of the rubber band pulls etc at home. I also started walking 1 to 2 miles every evening which gets the arms swinging.
I feel having the therapist do the manipulations with the arm and shoulder (which really hurt) was making it more flared up. The aching has gone away and hasnt bothered me for at least a week even at work where as before it was a constant dull ache as so many have described.
I have a little better motion in some ways like being able to get a bar of soap under my right arm when showering and I couldnt even do that 2 weeks ago. I also had trouble sleeping before I went to the doctor and during the 6 weeks of therapy, but now with 2 pillows under my head I can sleep fine on that side if I want to and though I toss and turn most nights it rarely wakes me up. I take it easy in doing things that I have learned will really hurt and feel fortunate it isnt as bad as a lot of the above contributors are saying theirs is.
Thanks for all the info. I check this every other day so it really helps.
Paul
August 14th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Hi Maggie,
When in the freezing stage, I say, use as needed. I used the Capsazin when around public and social events.. I used the minty stuff for home. I Used the icyhot and bengay 4:1 to Capzasin.
Capzasin is expensive.
No name brand extra strength begay is the best bang for the buck.
Icy-hot is inexpensive to use and I stick to the name brand on that one.
Sincerely,
Mike
August 15th, 2007 at 8:39 am
Paul, I understand that “soap” problem. Forgot this morning and pain brought me to my knees. I have found that if I let the hot shower pound on my shoulder for a while and then gently stretch, I can reach a little better. Hope this helps.
August 16th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Has anyone here ever had one of those cortisone shots? My left shoulder is raw and imflammed, but not freezing; yet. I don’t know that it will freeze. But its so sore and its a bit stiff. Ican barely drive a car and barely dress myself let alone cook food. Its getting discouraging. Today I saw an ortho, who told me exactly what I already know. I will give him credit; he didn’t recommend surgery and said that this *will all go away* but will take up to a year. But he did offer a shot. I took one look at that needle and saw the pain, then said no. BTW, this surgeon also confirmed what we all hopefully know, that PT during the freezing stage can be very harmful. Anyway, I can deal with needles. What I can’t deal with is another dead.
August 16th, 2007 at 12:38 am
My sentence was cut off.
It should read: what i can’t deal with is another dead end. sorry.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:28 am
M —
I have bilateral FSS and tried the shots - one in each shoulder - it was not very effective for me (also note that my insurance considered this outpatient “surgery” - the shots were billed at $10.00 each, but the procedure was $500.00!). Insurance considered this a surgical procedure since he had to “know specifically where to inject”.
On the other had, i have had tremendous success with PREDNISONE - it’s a dose pack that you take for 6 days. My shoulders actually stopped hurting completly — and I have been using ice to keep the swelling down. Heat I use to get moving. Unfortunately, you can not stay on prednisone for long periods and some people may not be able to take it at all.
Hope this helps ….
August 16th, 2007 at 8:36 am
M —
BTY, those are tablets.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:04 am
M —
I am curious about this statement, “BTW, this surgeon also confirmed what we all hopefully know, that PT during the freezing stage can be very harmful.” It is actually opposite of what my ortho says. He say’s during freezing it is best to do PT so that when “frozen” you have increased ROM. I am “freezing” and doing PT, but only to the point that I am comfortable with and my ROM has increased so has the pain, but if when frozen the pain stops anyway, then it stands to reason that my ROM will be better because I was streching (PT) while I could.
There are obviously losts of stories and ways people are treating this .. it is confusing to say the least.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Hi Scott,
Yes, he said that; that is can be. I’m so thoroughly confused at this point that I can’t even believe it. All I know is they’d have to do tremendous amounts of study to prove or disprove that statement. How am I to know that all the PT in the right shoulder actually didn’t help and that I’d be worse off now had I not had it? I don’t know - and neither do the doctors.
How long has your shoulder been in the freezing stage, Scott? It took my right shoulder about, oh, 4 solid months to freeze up.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Both have been freezing for about 4 months - I have done the prednisone 2 times and it has help keep the swelling down and me able to do some exercises. I still have not reached the frozen stage.
Scott
August 16th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Hi,
I stretched my arm with bungi cords this time until I was at 5% and the searing pain started. My 1st time I did nothing. I lost less muscle mass on my deltiod this time and my thawing arm still has more stamina then my healed fss shoulder of 4 years ago.
So I say Pt to the point of frozen+ the 24/7 ache. this is the time to stop. the clavical and scapula are ready to take over for the humurous. and because you stretched you will have more mobility when frozen because of the PT before .
After being frozen and the pain finally lets go this is also a sign to start doing more
with the arm.. reach up for things . push your ROM a little more each week by doing everyday things a little more extended then needed. I increased my ROM 10% in 2 days by
removing a carpet and Shoveling some loam.
went from 45% to 55%
I had to take some advil and even some heat rub but the shocking pain of quick movents is all but gone. its the kind of pain that is easily managed.
Sincerely,
Mike
August 16th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Scott,
It’s been 2/3 months of just catching pain, or throbbing pain, in the left shoulder. The right one’s been ‘frozen’ for a month. I get weird pain in both shoulders in the same spot at the same time. And it moves around. The doc says ‘that’s unusual’. I just thought: Whatever. 4 months of pain for you; that’s a lot. Do they have any idea what’s causing it? I’m glad you’re not freezing. Hope you don’t. Hope you recover 100% asap.
Mike, I don’t think even my frozen shoulder is ready for too much. I’m getting weird pains, too. Sometimes I wonder if these other pains might be in my head. I was reading someone’s story early this morning, a woman, who said she also had strange ‘fibromyalgia-like’ pain. She went on to say that passed as her shoulders healed. Anyway, your story more than anyone’s has helped, and I’d probably still be toughing it out with PT had I not stumbled upon this blog and read your story.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
My pain “moves around” too. Sometimes in radiates to my elbow down my bicep and tricep. In my past when I have had pain(s) they also moved - I thnk that because the shoulder is such a large area of the arm and upper body it would be common for the pain to move or change places depending on what you are doing or have done. I always take my streching to the point of almost pain - but never to the point of being in pain as that is/will surely cause swelling and more pain.
I hope I don’t freeze … maybe I could say that it was a shoulder injury?? and not FSS - although all of my symptoms are pretty much the same as everyone else’s.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Hi M,
No , they are not in your head. That’s the trouble with this fss…. the pain is always nomadic and in very strange in its patterns
when frozen. my main pains are .. shoulder blade, shoulder, bicep, forearm ,wrist, thumb and index finger 1st joints
Sincerely,
Mike
August 18th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Hi Mike & Scott,
I’ve found some relief (and ROM) by using that capasain (sp?) cream, limiting my movements within my ROM, and resting. The cap cream burns and I can see brown skin from the burn - but I don’t care. It works. I’m going to get the other thing you yourself are using, Mike. I have a feeling PT won’t work for me until my shoulder is well into the thawing stage. For now I’m using it to the point of almost pain. ROM has increased from cautious use and creams. Happy day.
The nomadic pain is a bother. Always makes me feel like I’m inventing some of this with my head. Scott, sounds like you have bad tendonitis; has your doctor made any kind of diagnosis?Tendonitis can precede FSS, as it did with me. So be cautious. I know you are. Whether you have FSS or not, you’re now a part of the club.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
My right shoulder started freezing about six weeks before left. My right clavicle is very painful, does that mean my right side is now in the frozen stage? Thanks.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I thought I posted something here about ULTRA-SOUND and if anyone has used it, as I have read and was told that it is helpful for swelling and “deep pain”.
I asked my PT to do ultra sound on both of my shoulders on Monday - Tueasday had some stiffness, nbut pain was less - today I woke up with NO PAIN! After 4 months I had none. I had anothe PT today and they did ultra sound again - — maybe it does work? Maybe I just had a couple of good nights.
Has anyone else done ultra sound?? What results have you had?
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I haven’t used ultrasound for this. I had it done after a motorcycle accident to aid the healing of soft tissue damage. So it makes sense that it would help you. Ultrasound hasn’t been suggested to me.
But then I have Kaiser.
My experience with Kaiser says: They are stupid and the suck
However, I’m going to go proactive on them and they’d better ******’ pay attention.
Glad you are feeling better, Scott - that’s great.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Susan,
I think someone addressed your question before you’d even asked. Read through the replies and you’ll find something about the clavicle. I think Mike said somethng about it. I’ve had FS for about 6 months, and to be honest, I still have no idea at what stage I’m at, exactly.
Both my shoulders are frozen, too. I’m young. I wonder why this has to happen. On the other hand, hopefully I’m just getting it out of the way and over with.
BTW, (all), I’ve been reading about the use of flax seed oil and glucosomine chontroiin (sp?) to help with inflammation. NSAIDS have no effect on me. Weird, because normally they would help me with other things - but not this. So I’m trying the natural approach.
FSS is like the tenant no one wants: they move in, don’t pay rent, trash the place, and leave a huge mess.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 am
M-
You know Kaiser is the Granddad of HMO’s and they really should pay since it does work.
I did ultra sound again yesterday and today very little pain - it really is helping me - more than anything except the prednisone when I took it to stop the swelling.
Good luck with Kaiser.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:28 am
M - It is a huge mess and I’m thinking 7 months is enough of this and now I’m reading that it’s up to two years. I’m in a stage that when I wake up in the morning my ROM is very limited. By the end of coffee, it’s better and then I stretch after shower. Can’t reach behind at all and putting on jacket is difficult. I’m afraid that when I wake I won’t be able to move my arms at all. The intense pain is managable if I don’t go past ROM and don’t have sudden movements, but I’m hoping the constant throbbing goes away SOON. Needed to vent.
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Hi Susan,
Vent all you need. Try capsaicin cream for pain. I dilute it down with a good lotion and then beg someone to rub it into the sore places. It can burn. So have the person rubbing it in use surgical gloves. You should feel a reasonable burn; it might seem weird at first. It helps me with the pain.
I did this today:
Re-positioning the shoulders
The following Alexander Technique exercise may be useful in re-setting the shoulder posture. Ideally you should do it every day. Failing that, try to aim for five days out of seven. It can be uncomfortable at first, but should not be unbearable. If you cannot lie on the floor without severe pain then wait a week before giving it another go.
• Place a duvet or thick towel on the floor and lie on it, face up.
• Place pillows under both elbows and forearms.
• Rest your hands on your stomach, face down — if that’s not possible just rest them on the pillows.
• Stay in this position for twenty minutes. (Listen to the radio).
• Very slowly the muscles at the front of your chest should relax — allowing the shoulders to drop backwards, towards the floor.
This tip comes from an email I recieved. I thought there was no way I’d be able to tolerate doing it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was really relaxing and felt good.
It is a huge mess. I’m at 7months, too. I hear you. But we have no other choice but to get better. Really.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:44 am
M - many thanks for the boost/suggestions. Capsaicin helped. The Alexander Technique is a good, slow stretch and, yes, a little painful, but not a searing pain that says you shouldn’t go there. I think my body is compensating by using muscles in the clavicle area, so it’s just a new pain. With that said, more positive thinking will help. This WILL eventually resolve.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Hi Susan,
Another tip for pain. Stand with your shoulder and back against the corner of a door jam, and rub your shoulders a