Bad arm

[Daffodilia]

Hi All Finally spoke to GP and turns out bad shoulder and arm (pain and lack of movement) is a frozen shoulder. He says it will get better after 6 plus months. Doing a few exercises, changed the heat pad from ice - any thoughts?

[jinasc]

Did he contemplate 'Rotator Cuff' which sometimes happens with PMR?

[Daffodilia in reply to jinasc]

He was very definite it was frozen shoulder

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Could well be, but don't let it go on too long...mine turned out to be GCA!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is a not uncommon part of PMR - many a frozen shoulder is a prelude to PMR or a major flare!

[Daffodilia in reply to PMRpro]

Hope it isn’t a flare - I am on 6 mg - stiff and painful shoulders and legs in morning - reluctant to increase pred

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daffodilia]

Beware - if you are taking even a small amount too little to manage all the inflammation it can build up and lead to a proper flare. Better 1/2mg more now on a low dose now than have to go back to the start.

[Marilyn1959]

Hi Dafodillia. I had a frozen shoulder many years before PMR. I really struggled with it for about 9 months whilst undergoing a course of physio. The physio didn't improve it so nine months later they decided to try a cortisone injection. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't I was told. In my case it worked a treat and I only needed the one injection and it was gone!

I broke my shoulder and had synthetic replacement bones. I haven't healed so further shoulder surgery is on the horizon. However, at most recent appointment, it has been suggested that I try a cortisone injection since trauma (a fall in my case) can cause frozen shoulder symptoms. Here's hoping this is as effective as it was before.

If your symptoms persist perhaps see if an injection might be appropriate care plan? Just a thought. I know how painful and debilitating it can be, so hope it resolves for you soon.

[Daffodilia in reply to Marilyn1959]

I know a couple of people who had that and it worked - didn’t work for my husband - GP said no - may be I will try private

[Marilyn1959 in reply to Daffodilia]

Did GP qualify why he said No to injection? The inequality for accessing medical care, depending on post code, really worries me.

[Louisepenygraig]

I had a frozen shoulder many years ago. I had a cortisone injection at the time I was diagnosed and another one after a short interval at that was that. It had gone and I've never had one since.

[Theziggy]

I had two frozen shoulders before PMR

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Theziggy]

At the same time and in the run-up to the PMR diagnosis?

[Daffodilia in reply to PMRpro]

PMR diagnosed Oct 2018 - frozen shoulder June 2020

[Theziggy in reply to PMRpro]

No, at different times and a good few years before PR onset

[MrsNails]

Hi Daffodilia

Sorry to hear about your frozen shoulder, l had one Post Surgery/Pre PMR.

Warmth is better than ice, ice is really best for a sprain but l could not have bared ice on my shoulder.

Standing in the Shower with the jet directed on your shoulder can be helpful & you can do your stretches/exercises while you’re in there.

Remember to move your arm as far as you can & then bring it back by 10% it’s a very effective way of getting gradual movement.

Mine actually improved PDQ when l was started on the Pred for PMR

Hope it improves soon 🙏🏼

MrsN x

[tangocharlie]

I had frozen shoulders before PMR - confirmed by ultrasound. Somehow they didn't go away but morphed into PMR - I hoe yours doesn't.

[Jan_Noack]

about 6 months before I was diagnosed with PMR (I did have PMR at the time) I couldn't raise my arm, my doc had me xrayed for rotator cuff. it wasn't...and that was that. Finally when on prednsione in December it gradually lifted. It was PMR