Op pain

[Cp71]

Hello everyone,

I had an operation 4 weeks ago on my shoulder to clean up inside and shave some bone off. I'm not sure if I'm in this much horrendous pain because iv just had the op or it's worse because of the fibro. The pain is bad 24/7, can't sleep and I don't seem to get a break from it even with all the pain meds I'm on (fentalyn patches, oramorph and others). The pain travels from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist. Can anyone please give me any advice, don't see the surgeon for another 2 weeks. Thank you and huge hugs xx

[weathervane]

Hi there

Is it decompression surgery you had? I had it done in right shoulder after years of pain . It was painful afterwards but after physio and then sticking to exercises it was brilliant but it took quite a while. The outcome has lasted i dont have pain in that joint and it was 100% worth going through the pain after the op as it did go away. Please stick with it and i hope you have the same result. Let us know how you get on 😀😀😀😀

[Hidden]

Hi from Nurse Gladys Emanuel (open all hours) if the strength of pain relief you are on is not cutting the mustard, then go to G.P as an urgent-you just might have an infection that is causing the pain and analgesia won,t shift that alone. Did you have keyhole surgery? I suspect your g.p will send you back urgently and will take some bloods for infecftious presence. Don't sit on this for 2 more weeks you could end up sorry..good luck let us know

[Cp71 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you ladies xx yes it was weathervane, but I can truthfully say it's 10 times more sore now than it was before the op. How long did it take you for the pain to ease? Only had one lot of physio so far and back there next Monday. I think iv really over done it. Physio told me to take it out the sling when sat down to rest it so it won't freeze up .... Well to me it was a green light to get back to normal🙄. Hubby said ... See been given an inch and now I think I'm superwoman 😂😂😂. Thank you for your reply xxx

Caz 54, I went to my gp as I really couldn't stand the pain any longer last week. Was a locum I seen and she felt for an infection and said she didn't think there was. She gave me 2 weeks worth of sleeping tabs so I can get some rest as I wasn't sleeping at all with the pain (not that I sleep much anyway). Never took them last night as I hate the way I feel the next day and as u can guess iv been sat up all night 😩😩. Thank you for your reply I'm very greatfull xxx

[Lou1062 in reply to Cp71]

As our Nurse Gladys said do not delay in seeking help, I have had major surgery on both shoulders and only experience mild pain and stiffness in them now, so I would say that what you are experiencing is not usual xxx

[Hidden in reply to Cp71]

I struggle with seeping pills, sometimes I only take half of one and I do get some sleep from that

[weathervane in reply to Cp71]

Hi cp71

I was very sore for quite a while but i think that is normal for this op as it is quite severe. You do need to rest the arm and use lots of ice packs as they really help. You pribably wont be back to normal for quite a while. Check with physio when you see them again next week re exactly what you can and cant do. It will be worth when all settles down , sending you all my very best thoughts xx

[Bambamsnan]

I agree with nurse gladys emanuel go to gp even if it's not the op you need to get it checked out ☺

[Hidden]

Sorry towhead about the intense pain.

I do hope that you feel better soon.

Take care and best wishes.

[TheAuthor]

Hi Cp71

I am so genuinely sorry to read this and I would suggest going to your local walk in centre (if there is one near you?) and explaining your situation there? if you need any tests undertaking they can do these and get the results back much quicker than a GP surgery can. To me, feeling for an infection is not acceptable and it needs further investigating.

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[aristocat143]

If it was keyhole surgery, you should not be in this much pain 4 weeks out. Moving your shoulder as pain allows soon after the procedure is definitely recommended to avoid a frozen shoulder.

You mention pain radiating down to your wrist. Ring the consultant's office and let them know about this symptom soon as possible.

I work for upper limb orthopaedic surgeons.

[countess]

I recently had an arthroscopic decompression on my shoulder & experienced similar issues. Was only in sling for 2-3 days but used a scarf on occasions after that when it was niggling. It's early days & maybe you are using it more than you should? I've had to learn to be more realistic & patient than ever before & after 3 months it's starting to feel more comfortable & the mobility has improved hugely.

Take your time & rest it as much as you can in between the recommended exercises from physio. Take care also not to lift shopping etc using that arm. I know it all sounds obvious but it all helps. When mine flared up badly 1 month after surgery (helping wash hundreds of glasses after a friend's party!!😒) I had to rest it for several days& had some ultrasound from physio which seemed to help.

I was given Pregabalin to help moderate the pain in addition to usual pain relief, used it for approx 1month max & then reduced & stopped using it as I have before.

Hopefully you will be reassured by my experience & make a good recovery.

Take care & good luck,

Suz

[gilford]

I had a similar op last December and it took a good 6 weeks for the discomfort to ease a bit another 6weeks til it was pain free ish My gp gave me Tramadol for the pain which helped a bit and was told I didn't have to wear the sling in bed anymore after the first 6 weeks. Am now feeling great but wish the consultant had told me what a slow drawn out recovery it was. Hope you feel better soon.