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Frozen shoulder

lizdeluz

lizdeluz

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,306
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Can anyone give advice on this condition? I've had two frozen shoulders for years, the right worse than the left. Visits to an osteopath and a chiropractor and to consultant at my local hospital had no effect. I've learned to live with it: it can be embarrassing trying to put on a jacket, and it can be excruciating if I accidentally tug my arm too high or too far back. Does anyone have any info on this or on why, apparently, diabetics are more prone to frozen shoulder than the general population. Will I ever get my shoulders back? I can still swim freestyle, but my arm movement is laboured.
 
I suffered from frozen shoulders for a while, in both shoulders. Very painful and I needed help to dress. At the start of diabetic diagnosis. When I got BG numbers to non diabetic it went. What sort of numbers are you running?

FB
 
I had frozen shoulders back in the 90s. I was given physio to do at home and they took about 2 years to clear up. I now have full mobility in my left and almost full in my right, but no pain. I think it's something to do with high sugar levels causing glycation of the tendons damaging the collagen, making it less elastic.
 
"I think it's something to do with high sugar levels causing glycation of the tendons damaging the collagen, making it less elastic."

No argument from me.

FB
 
I am suffering from frozen shoulder at the moment it is so painful. I can't dress my self properly without help. I am going to doctors tomorrow to ask about having a cortisone injection as the pain killers are not working. I never realized it was another thing diabetics are prone to.


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Hi. My wife had frozen shoulders for a couple of years. First one then the other then the first came back. She isn't diabetic. There is really no treatment. If it's genuine frozen shoulder then cortisone treatment will be of no help at all so don't be tempted by the GP. My wife's consultant said in some cases he uses cortisone to differentiate between shoulder muscle type problems where steroids can help. If it doesn't then it is 'capsulitis' (frozen shoulder). He prescribed amitriptyline, normally an anti-depressant, but in very small doses is an ideal nerve pain killer. It worked very well for my wife whilst she waited for the shoulder to sort itself out.
 
I have been taking oxycodone pain killers for pain in my leg whilst waiting for a hip replacement. I am on a strong dose and it does not help with the pain in my shoulder one bit. I thought the cortisone might help .


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I had this once, but found a suitable exercise class. It got my shoulder moving and now that I keep my bg LOW, It hasn't recurred. The execise class was at my local sports centre with a qualified sports therapist.
Hana
 
Hi unfortunately it affects far more women than men I'm afraid. Cortisone injections don't seem to be long term and its painful as well physio can help and keeping it active and in use is beneficial if you can manage it. I hope you can get some relief very soon.
 
Thanks for your comments. I am feeling a bit sorry for myself at the moment waiting for the hip replacement then the shoulder and not to mention the call back after the retina check which I have to go to on the 16th December ! Happy days !!!


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Many thanks to everyone for your comments and advice. It has given me determination to work really hard on my control and to keep moving!
I was sorry to hear, Connie, that you are troubled by your shoulder and some other problems and I hope you feel better really soon.
 
I know only too well what its like to have frozen shoulders. My right shoulder was frozen for a long time even with MUA being done.

What made it go...... time and painkillers at night with hot water bottle ....... and having a really good hospital physio from NZ. He started to massage all the muscles in my back around the shoulder joint and at the bottom/back of my arm pit as they had lost their elastic ability and once they were massaged every day at home, the elastic come back in them and enabled me to be able to stretch my arm (gritting my teeth though) up the wall and do other exercise stuff.... All that's needed is some plain basic vegetable oil and warm hands to massage it in...
 
Connie104. cortisone injection is painfull and does not last long.If you have not got one get an infra red heat lamp.
and try that should be able to get one from Boots, Lloyds or Amerzon. Its deap heat treatment and gets thre circulation going.
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I went to doctors and she was quite willing for me to have a cortisone injection but I had to go to traumatology at hospital for it ( I live in Spain ) and it's a 6 week wait for an appointment so I declined and will go with the heat treatment and hope I am nearly past the first stage as I have had it for 3 months or so . Thanks for your replies


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