Help!

[shen98]

Hello, I don't know what to do about my shoulder pain and neck pain. The first signs of this was around 3 months ago where initially it really was just a dull pain I thought not much of it but it became worse as the weeks went by, so I started to take just some normal Ibrophen for it but it was not helping, stopping pain and stiffness for only 10 minutes or so.

At this stage now my shoulder is terribly sore, stiff, painful, like a muscle pulled. I can't sleep properly at night I'm in too much pain and trying to get up in the mornings I'm just in pain with my shoulder and back of my neck.

So I contacted 111 a few days ago because I was in pain and they arranged an appointment with me at my local walk in clinic. Even though I wasn't seen to by the doctor at all, at any stage.

The receptionist gave me co-drydramol 500/10mg. Does not help at all even though I have been advised to take it.

After walking to accident and emergency in a lot pain with my

Shoulder I was sent to the fracture clinic. I was told to take co-dydramol continously and given exercises to do. Which I do but still the pain does not shift, the exercise gives some pain relief but doesn't help. My shoulders never been seen to properly or x rayed it's not outrightly broken but I no longer know what to do about the pain I'm sitting up sleeping.It almost feels as though the doctors don't want to help me. I don't know why, I've never argued with any of them!! I cannot recall ever injuring it either. Is there any reason why doctors won't look at it to find out what's wrong with it? All they did at accident and emergency was given me some simple arm and shoulder movements to make.

I feel I need to look desperately at alternative therapies but don't where to start or how effective they are, I'm in a lot pain.

[Kaarina]

Hi Shen,

I am sorry to hear that you are in such pain day and night.

Do you have osteoporosis as this is the community for that? If you have osteoarthritis then you would be best to join another community here on HU. There is one community here called Arthritis Action .

There is also a forum called Versus Arthritis community.versusarthritis.org/ In normal times they have a helpline too. Tel: [phone]. You could see if it is up and running at the moment. This is a free service.

I do hope you get some real help soon.

[shen98 in reply to Kaarina]

Thanks Kaarina. I'm really not sure what the problem with the shoulder and neck is. I've heard of osteoporosis but I don't know if it relates to what I have, I'll definetly look into this.

Thanks

[Kaarina in reply to shen98]

If it is something like a frozen shoulder, Shen, this has been discussed on the Versus Arthritis forum. There are quite a few archived postings on this. I had a quick look and one person recommended deep heat and also cortisone injections were mentioned. It appears, like Annie, says IF it is frozen shoulder it really does take time for it to go.

[shen98 in reply to Kaarina]

Thank You

It just feels as though I've pulled the biggest muscle around my shoulder and neck. I'm hoping it does go but in the mean time definitely deep heat might help. Everything else I'm looking in to.

Thanks

[AnnieW55]

I too am sorry you are going through this.

I have no medical training but if Kaarina ’s suggestions don’t apply it could possibly be frozen shoulder. I worked with someone many years ago and hers went away after a few months. Can you get a phone consultation with your GP to explain what has happened? A&E might have sent a discharge letter to your practice, depending on how long ago you were there.

The link below (if it works) should take you to the nhs frozen shoulder page.

nhs.uk/conditions/frozen-sh...

I have also found this as a reliable source of information from the Harvard medical school

health.harvard.edu/pain/how...

I hope you find some relief soon.

[shen98 in reply to AnnieW55]

Thanks Annie

I've made notes on these links and will have look at everything you've suggested.

Take care

[HeronNS]

Please look up the symptoms for polymyalgia rheumatica. This sounds an awful lot like what I was going through for over a year about 5-6 years ago. I also had trouble standing and taking the first couple of steps when I'd been sitting down for even a short time.

[Titian8]

I had really painful shoulder and neck, which turned out to be a rotary cuff injury. No idea how it happened and unfortunately it took about a year to resolve.

I found two physiotherapists tuitions on YouTube called Brad and Bob and the exercises they suggest and show were really helpful. They cover everything including exercises for osteoporosis too.

[Damusi71]

A few years ago, I had this nagging and persistent in the neck and one side of shoulder. I had noticed that this pain used to shift location over a few days. Pain killers would only suppress the pain for some time. Over a period of time I notice this could be due to my practise of watching TV in the lying down position on a couch. Once I stopped/changed the practice the issue vanished slowly. I had acidity issue as well due to the same practise after dinner. I think some of these issues could by the position we lie down, sleep, type and thickness of pillows etc. Try making some changes to see if it helps