Lupus and frozen shoulder?

[ShannonB]

After three months of excruciating pain I have finally gotten an MRI and diagnosis of frozen shoulder. No known reason I would have this. Is it common with lupus? Anyone else have it?

[miccika1]

I had it. From what i understand it's not connected to lupus but if you don't move the shoulder enough or excercise it happens sometimes. It takes a year to heal. What helped me was two steroid shots in the shoulder and immidiately after that physical therapy. However you get better only after one full year. You need to move it as much as yoi can and do physical excercise streching that your therapist shows you (or look for stretches online there are three different ones) you need to do that every day otherwise it gets really painful and takes longer to unfreeze. Good luck. It will pass don't worry. Also the sooner you get the shots and start streching the better and sooner you will heal

[ShannonB in reply to miccika1]

Thank you for the encouragement. Very very painful right now.

[Blondiejayjay in reply to miccika1]

I have just been diagnosed with frozen shoulder even though I exercise regularly. Walking, swimming, weights and circuit training, tennis, I’ve always been really fit. But Gradually over the course of the year I got more and more pain in my shoulder. I now have lost 80% of mobility in my shoulder, chronic pain all down my arm and into my hand and mid I move my arm in the wrong direction the pain is excruciating. I can’t dress myself or wash my hair. Ultrasound is normal X-ray normal and MRI on neck c1-c7 normal. It’s very worrying and debilitating for me

[ShannonB in reply to Blondiejayjay]

I really can relate - I am fit and active too. I’m still struggling but the steroid injection and acupuncture really helped before lockdown. Hope you get some relief.

[sarahalice]

Hi. I use to do this thing when sitting on the sofa, were I would stretch both arms along the tops of the sofa cushions. (Jesus on the cross pose). The next day I would have frozen shoulders and lack of movement in my arms, this would last for a few days to weeks. It was definitely this stretch/ move i was doing triggering it off. There might be something your doing that you don't realise that's doing it. There are a few stretches I do that can result in over the top pain and lack of movement. My gp att said it was most likely lupus related.

Hope this helps x

[chrisj]

Is a frozen shoulder the same or similar to tendonitis? I've had pain in one shoulder for months and rheumatology said it was "probably" tendonitis. I'd have preferrred a definite diagnosis but thats what I've gone along with. An x ray showed no arthritis and it wasn't connected to Lupus as far as I can remember.

Sent for physio and exercises. Looking back its improved slightly but I still can't lift the kettle or put it down without pain, I tend to use both hands and sometimes it aches.

[ShannonB in reply to chrisj]

Hi Chrisj - Have a look online at frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis. They found mine in an MRI. I’m also being sent for physio and exercises - looks like it takes average of 30 months to improve and even then can have residual issues. Ugh. I had never heard of it but the description is exactly what I’ve complained of.

Very sorry you’re still struggling.

[chrisj in reply to ShannonB]

Thanks Shannon. I had a look online and know it takes a while to get better but didn't anticipate it going on for so long. I've pretty much decided I'll have to live with it.

Had an aunty who had a frozen shoulder years ago and eventually she couldn't lift her arm at all mainly because she wouldn't do the exercises the hospital had given her. Made my mother so cross....

[ShannonB in reply to chrisj]

I’m sorry. That’s a good lesson for both of us though. ☹️

[julsz]

I too suffered from an extremely painful frozen shoulder but I think it was from swimming front crawl and over using it. Physio helped to an extent, but I've found pilates to be the best thing since sliced bread for me! Helps with all the muscle aches etc. And has helped to strengthen my shoulders.

[ShannonB in reply to julsz]

Good to know. I don’t know what brought mine on.

[MichelleHarris]

If you get a frozen shoulder you should always get your Thyroid function checked. Thats to say TSH, T4 and importantly T3 x

[ShannonB in reply to MichelleHarris]

Thank you for this reminder. I have an appt today so will request this.

[DRunnerchick]

I had FS/AC in my left shoulder in 2016. My GP is also board certified in sports Med so I got a glenohumeral injection and sent to PT within 24 hours It took about 15 months for it to be fully back but I have 98% back including touching my hair behind my back. I do have a pop/click in my shoulder when I roll over in bed. Not painful 🤷‍♀️,

I got FS in my R shoulder in 2018 repeat all, my PT was a little different or maybe I knew how much work/pain it was going to take and I plowed through faster. Not sure, but I progressed to about 95% at 5 months and have full movement now..

There does seem to be a connection to diabetes and thyroid disease and FS. I don’t have either but I have other conditions/AI that also have high comobiidity rates so it’s probably only a matter of time before. It catches up with me 🙀😿That’s just my experience. Wish you the best. It’s pure hellfire in the joint. Move it!!!!!

D🏃🏽‍♀️

[ShannonB in reply to DRunnerchick]

Thank you for sharing. My rheumatologist put through an urgent appt for a guided steroid injection so that’s happening Friday. So painful, really hope my experience is similar to yours.

[DRunnerchick in reply to ShannonB]

Good good good! Do the work and it will come back faster. The point that f the injection is to ‘unfreeze’ it by using the anti-inflammatory of the steroid and the movement combination. Consistency will get it done. In this instance, No pain really is no gain but it has to be the right , and by that, I mean guided therapeutic exercises, to get it done. I know you can do it!! 😘🍀💪🏽😀

D🏃🏽‍♀️