Stiff shoulder and neck pain

[Anniewoz1]

I Posted a while ago about this debilitating pain in my shoulders and neck.I’ve had a 6 week physio course and pay privately from massage, acupuncture, guy sha and magnet therapy.

Although both these help, I’m now in such pain it’s affecting my day to day life, not to mention my mood.

Since subclinical hypothyroidism diagnosis early May, I take 50mg levothyroxine- revue with more blood tests due in early July.

Has anyone any advice ...... please !

Many thanks

Anne

[bantam12]

Have you got a diagnosis for the shoulder stiffness ? If it's a frozen shoulder then physio is the last thing you need.

[Anniewoz1 in reply to bantam12]

No diagnosis 😞

[Peanut31]

Hi

This was one of the Thyroid symptoms I had, that caused me major issues, neck stiffness.

I struggled moving my neck, physio, chrio didn’t help at all. In the fact the physio asked if I had been in a road traffic accident, which I hadn’t.

As my dosage is increased, I’m currently on 100mcg Levothyroxine, it is going but, slowly.

Someone recommended coconut oil to massage around the neck which helps inflammation.

Lactic acid has also been mentioned as well, there is a connection with thyroid and this. I’ve also got Hashimoto’s too, which doesn’t help.

I’ve been having massages, and I’ve got lots of knots near my shoulders and neck.

I’ve noticed it gives me some relief, but then I feel stiff as the days pass.

I can absolutely sympathise with you, but like I say mine is getting better (slightly) the more I increase dosage.

I don’t know if NDT would help it, better than Levothyroxine. I’ve mentioned my neck stiffness to my GP (again) but he’s not sure what is causing it.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Anniewoz1 in reply to Peanut31]

Thanks for your reply peanut,

I can tolerate this if I know there’s a hope, once the levo is sorted, it’ll start to ease

Can yo point me in the right direction for info on NDT...... perhaps I need to read up on this !

Thanks again 😊

[bantam12 in reply to Anniewoz1]

Don't assume it's to do with Levo dose or indeed thyroid related, its a very common problem. I have had a frozen shoulder for over a year, I've been stable on Levo for years and my levels are good yet I still got the frozen shoulder. It does resolve on its own over time but can take up to 5 years but you need a proper diagnosis with scans and X-rays in case it's something that needs to be fixed.

[Peanut31 in reply to bantam12]

Peanut31

Hi bantam12

I’ve had scans and nothing shows up.

It’s muscular for me.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Anniewoz1]

Thanks really fed up,

If I know it’s thyroid related I can tolerate the pain, knowing, hopefully it’ll be resolved once meds are right !

[Supul]

Hi Anniewoz1

Sorry about your pain. If it is a frozen shoulder, it is excruciating pain! Be kind to yourself, and take regular pain relief.

I suffered a frozen shoulder a few years ago. The pain was worse than having my 3 babies, natural birth, pain relief/gas and air free!

So, at the time of FS, I was working. I saw an orthopaedic consultant who diagnosed and gave me a steroid injection into shoulder. It did help for a few months. Then, the pain returned with a vengeance. I got a second injection. When the pain returned again, I took sick time from work. My manager needed me back at work, so I had a 'manipulation of the shoulder under anaesthetic op'. The pain improved enough for me to return to work. I worked until I was 64.

What did I learn?

1) I agree with a response you got, physiotherapy was not conducive to recovery. Physiotherapy was agony with FS

2) FS does eventually resolve without intervention. The consultant told me this. I had the op because I was harrassed by a work manager.

3) I would not have had the op. Rather, I would have given up my job. My shoulder, neck and head are a constant source of pain years after op.

4) I would not have had injections. The skin is very thin where steroid injections went.

To conclude, my body was giving me cause to stop, listen, take stock of my life. Waiting for the FS to resolve naturally, through resting, and taking care of myself, (despite the possibility of losing my job), may have opened better life opportunities for me, that I will never now know.

You may not have FS, though you are suffering. I urge you to take stock of your life.

I understand that you may not be in a financial position to leave a job, if you work, I purely, reflect on and share my experience.

Having pushed myself, as a wife, mother, employee, even during times of ill health, I am unable to fully enjoy retirement because my body stored ill health issues galore, because I did not pay enough attention to it.

I would prefer to be cash poor and good health rich.

Sorry, I'm not meaning to have a go at you, or anyone else here. I just want you to value your body more than I did.

[Anniewoz1 in reply to Supul]

Good morning Supul

What an inspirational reply, thank you 😊

I’m now retired and do to ailments over the past few years, I talk quite regularly to a lady inspired by eastern medicine.

The more we chat, the more I listen to my body.

This, along with advice from HealthUnlocked, I’m hoping will get me “back on track”

Thanks again Supul 🤞🏻

[Supul]

I'm so pleased that you are on the right path to recovery now.

Every Blessing!

Any inspiration you gathered from my reply is what these caring, sharing, communities are all about. We just pass on the inspiration we have received.

Isn't that wonderful for a healthcare system?!!!

A healthcare system that truly treats individuals holistically is, and always has been, my idea of utopia!

And, I am a retired NHS RGN! Often being advised by managers/some colleagues, I would get more job satisfaction in the private care setting because I over-cared... beggars belief doesn't it!

Anyway, in my own way, I got lots of satisfaction doing my best, for each, and every patient I saw, despite some colleagues getting frustrated with my caring approach.

By the way, I received a 'giving extra care award' (patient experience), and my colleagues asked me how?! often telling me, they would like me to care for them, if they got ill... says it all really, doesn't it?

Be good to yourself. Xx

[Anniewoz1 in reply to Supul]

A much deserved reward Supul,

Well done 👍