• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

frozen shoulder

  • Thread starter Thread starter catherinecherub
  • Start Date Start Date
Jem said:
urgh - another ****** list item ...

I had one years ago (a few years after a motorbike accident) and every day I find more reasons and "likelihoods" that I've been diabetic for more years than I thought!
Click to expand...

Scary isn't it?

I've not actually quite had frozen shoulder yet, or carpal tunnel, but I've come close. High BG over time seems to glycate the tendons and connective tissues which make these things more likely, mine mostly start from some mechanical/RSI type thing and take on a life of their own.

Currently I'm nursing a duff shoulder, God knows what set it off as I woke up with it one morning. Since then it's improved gradually, there's a distinct "knot" still among the tendons about a third of the way out from my neck to which I've been applying ibuprofen ointment. Exercise seems to help as long as I don't overdo it and force it beyond the point where it pains. Currently it's at the point where I go for long periods without feeling it, until I lie down and relax to go to sleep, and I'm having to find some rather inventive sleeping positions. I used to get this a lot, I managed to shift it from one shoulder to the other when I moved offices and had a different desk and computer layout, but it hadn't recurred for a long time.

My current ointment is called "Deep Relief" which also contains menthol. Unfortunately I'm also suffering from a nasty cold cough and sinus infection, and hadn't realised until last night when I shook a whole bunch of crud out of my nostrils that it makes me stink of Vick. Also I whiff of compost from the gardening. Be very glad that this is only a visual medium.
 
There's quite a few posters who describe exactly what a frozen shoulder is. Extreme pain and stiffness. There are a few who are not describing a frozne shoulder. Often GPs and physios will mislable other shoulder conditions as frozen. The commonent being rotator cuff problems (also called supraspinatus tendonitis, subacromial impingement syndrome). In the early phases they can be similar. But not near as severe as a frozen shoulder. Physio and brufen will usually sort out a rotator cuff problem (and helped with a simple non-nasty steroid injection). Frozen shoulder is not helped treatable until the frozen/thawing stage by physio/steroid injection.

After injuries, frozen shoulder can be similar to early post traumatic stiffness. Its all a bit of a diagnostic puzzle in the early stages. I wouldn't have thought statins would cause pain in only one shoulder.

All you poor folks with FzSh out there good luck. You will get there eventually.
 
Went to see my GP again last week with my frozen shoulder but ended up not seeing my usual Doctor, and I have yet again referred me for physio - I'm getting really fed up as this Doctor didn't presribe anypain killers he said that I shouldn't really be taking any thing with my current medication - metformin x 2 daily, Byetta 10mg, Ramiprill, Simvastatin and asprin. I am in a lot of pain, not sleeping properly ad has Hanna has already mentioned in this post have to do the dreaded bra twizzle.

was just wondering if any one else had also been told they would not be prescribed pain killers and if anyone had tried a Tens machine for pain relief.

Jacqueline
 
Hi

Awful isnt it - frozen shoulder. What got me down was not being able to blowdry my hair and do the back of it. I also had to stand on a chair to put stuff away in my kitchen wall units lol.

You could try a tens machine and also a magnetic shoulder wrap (lots of chemists sell these). Feldene gel is good too (ask your pharmacist if you could use it with all your other meds). Other than that, a hot water bottle is good for getting you off to sleep.
 


OH YEAH!

So much to take in at once, I am grateful every day that I found this site! I would have lost my sanity by now if not (or probably karked it from following the *stuff your face with rice* advice)



Have a good day

xox
 
Am surprised that so many people have answered after I posted this one. For anyone who thinks an aching shoulder is frozen shoulder you couldn't be more wrong. A frozen shoulder makes most simple tasks unbearably painful and physio and pain killers do nothing to relieve the pain. What I find surprising is that my blood sugars are well controlled, last HBA1C was 5.7. I am not overweight and yet this condition is described in some literature as being the result of high blood sugars.
 

He may well have refused to prescribe for cost reasons, nothing to stop you buying OTC pills or ointment PLUS you can discuss things with the pharmacist who may be able to advise on med interractions and who might be able to recommend someone more helpful, some osteopaths can be excellent way above some of the NHS physios (others aren't)
 

Check you postprandial numbers, it's possible that you are spiking high after meals but briefly, which won't show in the A1c but may glycate or otherwise damage other things such as connective tissue. No-one is trying to belittle your pain, just pointing out that frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel, trigger finger etc. are all at the far end of a continuum with other commoner and less painful conditions all seemingly connected to poor BG control and excess inflammation.

I was getting peripheral neuropathy and my A1c has never been out of the fives. It's not the be all and end all of measurement!
 
Thanks for all your suggestions - am now sat at my desk leaning on a hot water bottle (doesn't do much for my hot flushes or street cred) the heat really works but am going to go to the chemist to see what my wonderful man there suggests, then going to ring the phsio try bring my appointment forward.

I think I need to move somewhere dry and warm oh and be able to afford a physio on retainer!!! oh and someone to fasten my bra for me :lol:

Jacqueline
 
I am suffering with 2 frozen shoulders
I still get a lot of pain during the night & also if I am sat watching tv or using the laptop. Apparently holding a bag of frozen peas to the area for 10 minutes twice a day helps with any inflamation. As I am still experiencing psin I am still in the freezing stage but near the frozen stage. It is awful. I was seeing a physiotherapist but am now seeing an Osteopath who is applying the Neil-Asher technique http://www.frozenshoulder.com/ I can't wait for the pain to be gone & to have proper movement of my arms/shoulders & to do simple tasks for myself once again!
 
Hi Willow,
I know exactly what you are going through, it is agony. To have it on both shoulders, ugh!! I am seeing an orthopaedic consultant on Tuesday as nothing has worked for me,( physio, chiropractor, osteopath, injections). I hope he can come up with a solution and I will even accept surgery as it is so limiting in everyday life. I think you adapt to what you are capable of and just have to leave the things you can't do. I miss driving mostly as the buses are so unreliable and taxis cost too much. I have had mine since April and it is constant.
Thinking of you,
Regards, Catherine.
 
Hello Catherine

Think twice before you ask for surgery on your shoulder. The pain that you will get down your arm when you wake up from the anesthetic after a manipulation will be terrible. Much much worse than the pain that you are in now. There's a lot of bone crunching to free up the adhesion

Serously, time is the best healer. Its just that it takes years to right itself.
 
Hi i fully sympathise with your frozen shoulder having suffered myself a few years ago, never would have thought that it could cause so much pain. Luckily i am not a diabetic so dont know how much worse it is for you but it took me a good 9 months of painful exercise and physio and i had to really push at the pain barrier each time, wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. Hope you are better soon.xx
 
I'm a type 1 diabetic and have had two frozen shoulders. The general feeling is that 10-15% of diabetics will suffer because of raised blood sugar levels. The medical profession seems to know little about the condition but they seem to agree that once you've had it, you won't get it again. Cold comfort I'm afraid. This is a miserable sounding reply but there's not much more I can say that won't be depressing . Maggie
 
Saw the orthopaedic consultant today re my frozen shoulder.
He stated that diabetics can suffer this without having had a trauma to their shoulder, unlike non diabetics and regardless of good or bad control of their condition.
He did a series of movements with my arm to see how badly affected it was. He has ordered a CT scan and am going back to see him on 30th Dec. He will offer me keyhole surgery to relieve the tightness if there is no improvement. He does not perform manipulation as complications sometimes arise.
He checked the palms of my hands to see if there were any lumps?? Non evident luckily. He explained that diabetics with Frozen Shoulder often have Dupuytrens (not to be confused with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome). YOU LEARN SOMETHING EVERY DAY.
A very reassuring man who knew his stuff. I looked up his profile on the internet and he specialises in shoulder problems. Feel confident that he will do his best for me.
 
Hi Catherine,
I had both of my shoulders frozen - and ended up having an open release in both. I also had one frozen hip as well, which was sorted with an MUA. My consultant also pointed out my lumpy palms and soles of my feet! (I feel like I need oiling sometimes!!) The consultant told me that it is the excess sugar in my blood (I'm not poorly controlled though) which reacts with the collagen in my joints and turns it into a concrete-like substance. He said that there is a genetic weakness - and is nothing to do with my control - but is still caused by the diabetes. Consequently all of my joints are 'sticky', and bits of me are quite stuck!! I don't know if this explanation helps you at all, but I thought it worth mentioning.
You have my sympathy - it is a very painful condition. I hope it doesn't keep you awake at night - that always used to be the worst thing for me with my shoulders - the pain and lack of sleep. I find that a deep memory foam layer on the mattress helps loads if you are having problems.
Good luck with it all.
Disie
 
Thanks for that Disie,
I spoke to two people in the waiting area who had the keyhole surgery and it was reassuring to know that they were doing well. I know what you mean about the pain, it's dreadful. You have certainly been through the mill.
I shall keep looking for lumps now!!!
Kind regards, Catherine.
 
I've just developed it and been diagnosed at 29 years. Here is a link with info. and exercises for it. However if you are in pain while performing these exercises you should receive physiotherapy at the same time as performing them to make sure you are not doing more damage than good.

http://www.yess.uk.com/patient_informat ... oulder.pdf
 
Well my shoulder is on the mend (yippee)!! However the worst isn't over yet! I still have physio tomorrow (ouch)!! Also it may not be my last session as my neck and back are still hurting and shoulder is still stiff, however I'm so much better than I was before (I still remember the agony I was in as it spread throughout my whole body and I seized up)!! Anyway - the physio I had to pay for myself as I'm still on the waiting list (over a month now) on the NHS - but it was worth it in the end!! If I don't get the frozen shoulder again I'll be very very relieved and happy... it was hell when I seized up. So I live with the knowledge that it can only get better from here.
 
I have had a frozen shoulder since June although i do think it in the thawing stage now as the pain is not as bad the movement is still as limited as ever though.
Frustrating and painful is not the word for it..... :evil:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…