Type 1 and Frozen Shoulders

[iHs]

Frozen shoulders are definately very painful in the freezing stage and more so when trying to sleep at night. I ended up seeing a GP to get some help as I was taking co proximal tabs every 4hrs even in the night and going to bed with a hot water bottle underneath my shoulder which needed to be refilled again once the bottle went cold.

I got referred to see an orthopaedic specialist at hospital who then referred me to physio first and then to have MUAs done. My left shoulder was frozen for nearly 4 years and an MUA was done 3 times over 3 years. The best physio I had done which made so much difference, was for the muscles in my back around the shoulder joint and back of the armpit to be massaged with oil so that they loosened up and were able to stretch. This, with also walking up arm up the wall as far as I could stretch and bear the pain, looking at the time, gritting my teeth, enabled me to eventually be able to lift my arm up in the air again. When my right shoulder froze, I had an MUA done once and then got OH to massage the muscles and walk my arm up the wall 2-3 times per day. It eventually sorted itself out but massaging and stretching exercises is the way to go.

 

[Ladybirdy75]

It is a pain, I can get both my arms behind my lower back and that's it, with me I find the more I do the better it is, painting, wallpapering etc. It is difficult at times, but I won't give in to it Have you looked for self help home remedies on line ? as that might be beneficial. Take care RRB

Lol, i can get my left arm to the side of my left bum cheek and my right i can now just about bend to the top of my right bum cheek. Sorry about the description ;-). It is a right old pain. I've looked at so many different remedies RRB I've lost count. One day they'll thaw, in the meantime I'll just have to carry on looking like a wally putting my coat on and not being able to reach shelves in the supermarket

Take care xx

 

[Ladybirdy75]

Im type 2 and have 2 frozen shoulders. The right for about 5 years and the left for less. The left is a lot better than it was and I have most of the movement back though not all. The right is a killer. I can't write more than a sentence or two as my whole arm hurts but I can type. Was very annoying not being able to swim when I was on holiday recently.

I know what you mean Croc :-(. Typing or writing hurts after a minute, goes right down into my biceps and elbow.

 

[Croc]

I know what you mean Croc :-(. Typing or writing hurts after a minute, goes right down into my biceps and elbow.

My forearm and bicep cramp up and I get shooting pains down the back of my shoulder. I do the walking fingertips up the wall and leaning and letting the arm swing. They do help.

 

[Ladybirdy75]

Frozen shoulders are definately very painful in the freezing stage and more so when trying to sleep at night. I ended up seeing a GP to get some help as I was taking co proximal tabs every 4hrs even in the night and going to bed with a hot water bottle underneath my shoulder which needed to be refilled again once the bottle went cold.

I got referred to see an orthopaedic specialist at hospital who then referred me to physio first and then to have MUAs done. My left shoulder was frozen for nearly 4 years and an MUA was done 3 times over 3 years. The best physio I had done which made so much difference, was for the muscles in my back around the shoulder joint and back of the armpit to be massaged with oil so that they loosened up and were able to stretch. This, with also walking up arm up the wall as far as I could stretch and bear the pain, looking at the time, gritting my teeth, enabled me to eventually be able to lift my arm up in the air again. When my right shoulder froze, I had an MUA done once and then got OH to massage the muscles and walk my arm up the wall 2-3 times per day. It eventually sorted itself out but massaging and stretching exercises is the way to go.

iHs totally agree with you there about the massage and stretching. I've carried on with those for the last 4 years which i think has helped from the shoulders locking up even more. My left shoulder gives me the most pain, being in the freezing phase and is most painful at night but I've just learned to live with it as i don't like taking too many pills. Saying that i did take 2 co-codamol ladt night as it was so bad.

It will end, one day .......... lol

 

[Ladybirdy75]

I'm wondering, all you lovely people who have commented, if any of you have heart problems?? I had a heart attack on 19th March and consequently been diagnosed with further coronary heart disease. It is a factor and increases risk for frozen shoulders.

 

[Marling]

Had 2 'bad' shoulders for 20 years or more, never thought it could be due to my diabetes T1! This forum is a revelation! Have not been able to undo /do up my bras at the back all this time, so need to deal with the very unsexy doing it up in front and turning it...as to tight jackets, well...so nice to read I'm not the only struggler! Luckily my shoulders only hurt if I forget and make a wrong movement. Exercise helps, but am a bit lazy :-(

 

[Robinredbreast]

I'm wondering, all you lovely people who have commented, if any of you have heart problems?? I had a heart attack on 19th March and consequently been diagnosed with further coronary heart disease. It is a factor and increases risk for frozen shoulders.

So sorry to hear that Ladybirdy, but I don't have heart problems and I didn't know of the connection. Are you having any treatment for your heart or an operation ? Take good care RRB

 

[Ladybirdy75]

Had 2 'bad' shoulders for 20 years or more, never thought it could be due to my diabetes T1! This forum is a revelation! Have not been able to undo /do up my bras at the back all this time, so need to deal with the very unsexy doing it up in front and turning it...as to tight jackets, well...so nice to read I'm not the only struggler! Luckily my shoulders only hurt if I forget and make a wrong movement. Exercise helps, but am a bit lazy :-(

@Marling. You are not alone Yes, I'm afraid sexiness goes out the window with frozen shoulders. Bra's are a struggle that only "frozen" ladies can understand and i can't tell you how many times I've gotten stuck in tops because i can't manoeuvre my arms to pull them off. Ha ha it's quite funny really

 

[Ladybirdy75]

So sorry to hear that Ladybirdy, but I don't have heart problems and I didn't know of the connection. Are you having any treatment for your heart or an operation ? Take good care RRB

@Robinredbreast. Yes, i had a stent put in on the day of my heart attack, in the artery that had caused the problem and at that same time they saw that i had a "borderline blockage" (70% blocked up to a 100%) in another artery (the LAD) which they left alone for me to have further tests. I went back for a stress echocardiogram on 26th May and had a letter last week to say that it wasn't compromising the blood flow the the front wall of my heart and thus can carry on being treated with all the heart meds I'm on plus the diet and exercise programme I'm having to follow. Came as a bit of a shock i can tell you as I'm only (lol) 45, i don't smoke, I'd been doing slimming world for 18 months before and exercising. Of course the docs used the old line of "it's your T1".

 

[Robinredbreast]

@Robinredbreast. Yes, i had a stent put in on the day of my heart attack, in the artery that had caused the problem and at that same time they saw that i had a "borderline blockage" (70% blocked up to a 100%) in another artery (the LAD) which they left alone for me to have further tests. I went back for a stress echocardiogram on 26th May and had a letter last week to say that it wasn't compromising the blood flow the the front wall of my heart and thus can carry on being treated with all the heart meds I'm on plus the diet and exercise programme I'm having to follow. Came as a bit of a shock i can tell you as I'm only (lol) 45, i don't smoke, I'd been doing slimming world for 18 months before and exercising. Of course the docs used the old line of "it's your T1".

Your GP said that, shakes heads, medical professionals seem to blame everything on our medical conditions or 'getting older' I used to work for a charity called Cardiac Rehab, in the shop and it was one of the best jobs I ever had, but because of costs and overheads it closed, broke my heart But many of the volunteers had had extensive heart surgery and with a change of lifestyle, diet and exercise they flourished, but most were mainly over 60+. It must of been a huge shock to you and your family, but lovely to see you posting on here and wishing you all the best for a happy and a positive future. x

 

[Ladybirdy75]

Your GP said that, shakes heads, medical professionals seem to blame everything on our medical conditions or 'getting older' I used to work for a charity called Cardiac Rehab, in the shop and it was one of the best jobs I ever had, but because of costs and overheads it closed, broke my heart But many of the volunteers had had extensive heart surgery and with a change of lifestyle, diet and exercise they flourished, but most were mainly over 60+. It must of been a huge shock to you and your family, but lovely to see you posting on here and wishing you all the best for a happy and a positive future. x

No it was the cardiologist!!! Guess we get used to hearing it don't we sadly. Well i think i am flourishing and I'm determined to stay that way as my only child leaves school on Friday then goes on to college in Sept (he wants to be a nurse) and I'm sticking around to see him become an SRN and beyond

That's such a shame about your job RRB .

Have a lovely Sunday evening. Xx

 

[MrBrightside]

I just found this thread, my right shoulder has just seized up yesterday and is incredibly painful. The thing is, should i keep moving it?

 

[Ladybirdy75]

I just found this thread, my right shoulder has just seized up yesterday and is incredibly painful. The thing is, should i keep moving it?

Well @MrBrightside physio's would tell you yes. They would give you a specific set of exercises (such as walking you're fingers up the wall, etc). There are other articles out there on the net that disagree with that. From my own personal experience (of over 4 years my right being frozen and 1 year of my left being in the horrible freezing stage) i found that the more aggressive physio of physical manipulation actually made things worse so i now do my own kinder sort like prancing around the living room waving my arms around as much as i can and walking fingers up the wall lol. It's interesting that yours just seized up, mine was a gradual tightening and stiffness with much pain for my right, with my left going through that same process now. I don't know how other commenters had theirs happen. I'm wondering if for you it might be something else like a badly trapped nerve? Have you been to your GP with it?

 

[Ladybirdy75]

Ha ha @MrBrightside I've just seen you're a carbivore . Love it

 

[himtoo]

Hi Ladybird75
don't have actual confirmed heart problems yet but due to an "incident" last september when i went to A&E with chest pains ( subsequently found to be gastric) I have been seen by the cardio unit at my hospital.

first was a ct scan on the 10th february and while awaiting the results broke my shoulder -- this has delayed the most recent scan i just had done last monday the 8th june ( could not raise both arms above my head in april when it was first scheduled.
I am awaiting the results on that one but results of the first scan showed some blockages that required further investigation.

so just awaiting results right now

 

[MrBrightside]

I haven't been to the GP yet. It came on after football but there was no impact on my shoulder, it could just be a trapped nerve... I'll give it a few days and see if it gets better /worse. I'll try to keep moving in the meantime. Thanks @Ladybirdy75

 

[Ladybirdy75]

I haven't been to the GP yet. It came on after football but there was no impact on my shoulder, it could just be a trapped nerve... I'll give it a few days and see if it gets better /worse. I'll try to keep moving in the meantime. Thanks @Ladybirdy75

Ooh hope you get it sorted out MrBrightside let us know how you get on.

 

[Ladybirdy75]

Hi Ladybird75
don't have actual confirmed heart problems yet but due to an "incident" last september when i went to A&E with chest pains ( subsequently found to be gastric) I have been seen by the cardio unit at my hospital.

first was a ct scan on the 10th february and while awaiting the results broke my shoulder -- this has delayed the most recent scan i just had done last monday the 8th june ( could not raise both arms above my head in april when it was first scheduled.
I am awaiting the results on that one but results of the first scan showed some blockages that required further investigation.

so just awaiting results right now

Oh himtoo, I'm really sorry to hear that. I've just been through the same thing blockage wise so i know how worrying that is. Let us know how you get on. I hope your shoulder heals quickly.

 

[Ledzeptt]

I've had a frozen shoulder since February. It wasn't too bad for for the first two months: moderately painful and it didn't seem to limit my movement. I thought I'd just pulled a muscle.

Then, my arm did "freeze" and I lost the ability to reach up or outwards. Luckily I have a desk job, but as others have said, everyday activities like getting dressed or getting tokens from multi-storey parking meters are now very awkward.

My GP didn't blame diabetes, but my original stay in intensive care (which resulted in diabetes) during which time I was immobile for two months. I've been having (painful) physiotherapy for the past 4 weeks, twice daily exercises, plus a steroid injection which made no difference. I was prescribed Co-codamol, but it doesn't really help (particularly at night when I can't sleep). My physio also recommended that I apply heat as much as possible e.g. a hot water bottle or wheat bag.

I recently saw an orthopaedic surgeon and was given a 'hydrodilatation' procedure yesterday that seems to have helped a little. I was advised to allow three weeks for full improvement, but it only works in 70% of cases. Basically a mix of anaesthetic, steroid and saline is accurately injected by a radiologist using x-Rays, so it's safer and less painful than surgery. (I'm not fit enough for surgery at present anyway.)

The orthopaedic surgeon told me that the frozen shoulder was caused by diabetes, not my intensive care stay, even though I've only been T1 since November (odd).

Anyway, I re-start physio tomorrow (also known as torture!).