Shoulder Pain.....

[yelenots]

End of last year my Dr thought I had impringement syndrome and referred me back to the hospital. I have been having physio since the end jan (already had 2 cortisone inj) it did seem to improve slightly a few weeks ago but now its just as painful as ever. I am not sleeping because of the pain and I've just had enough of it! My Dr has prescribed me Ibuprofen 600mg and Naproxen 500mg but they just dont seem to work! How long should I keep having the physio for or should I insist on being referred to a specialist? Thanks :)

[bednobs]

hiya - sorry don't know the answer but you shouldn't take those meds together - you would be better off substituting one of them for paracetamol, or going back for stronger ones

[Sqad]

6months and no improvement eh?
You need to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon who will arrange an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis.
If the diagnosis is confirmed and after 6 months conservative treatment, then surgery will need to be considered.

[Sqad]

bednobs.....Naproxen and Ibuprofen.....can't see the problem.

[yelenots]

Oh right, why not? Which one of the 2 is the better to take bearing in mind neither of them seem to work!!

[bednobs]

i am surprised to hear you say that sqad. They are both the same class of drug aren't they? Both nsaids? isn't it a bit like saying take diclofenac and naproxen?
or have i got the wrong end of the stick?

[Sqad]

bednobs........no, no, you are perfectly correct, they are both NSAID's but no reason not to use them together, but your point is well taken.

[yelenots]

Squad....you seemed surprised it hasnt improved with the physio? Should it be?!!

[Sqad]

yel....very surprised.........physio and steroid injections work in the majority of cases.

[bednobs]

sqad i don't really understand what you mean. surely if you are taking a full dose of one nsaid and a full dose of another nsaid, you are much more at risk of getting stomach ulcers for example and other associated side effects?

[Sqad]

bednobs....not necessarily and I think this "G.I" bleeding with NSAIDS is overstated.

[ladyalex]

I found that my shoulder pain was helped a bit when I took to sleeping with a pillow under the affected arm.

I'm sure that doing Tai Chi has helped also.

It is miserable to be in pain like this, but shoulders usually do get better eventually, try not to despair.

[bednobs]

hmm, well you might, but having had one from taking indomethacin, i don't.
it really was the pits!

[yelenots]

Squad.....The first cortisone inj worked for approx 5 months and it was brilliant! The 2nd one didnt work at all hence being referred back to the hosp. Somedays it doesnt bother me at all but i find I am in alot of pain after doing just normal things i.e ironing, hoovering or carrying the shopping. I want to do the gardening but cant coz it hurts!! The physio told me to try and not to use my arm but....how can I? Its my right shoulder!

[Sqad]

yel....difficult to comment further without an MRI scan.

[yelenots]

Ok thanks :)

[China Doll]

I had a hip impingement which had been going on for over six months and I had surgery for that. Personally, after six months and little improvement, I would already be asking to see a specialist.

[yelenots]

ChinaDoll......how was the op? I seem to recall when I posted a question related to this that you said you may be off work for 6 weeks?
Ladyalex.....I'll try a pillow tonight-see if I can get some sleep!
Thanks

[China Doll]

It went well as far as I can tell yelenots, I was off work for five weeks in the end, was on crutches for three and a half weeks and then down to one crutch which I've only really stopped using just over a week a go. I've still got a bit of pain and stiffness but I think that's all to do with strengthening (which I admit I've been useless wtih my physio recently and shall be inserting a rocket up my arse this week); certainly I think it has worked in that my hip no longer seems to be locking and I don't have the discomfort/pain I had before the surgery. I was under a chap call Mr Whit who I can't recommend highly enough but he is obviously london based like me and I'm not sure where you are.

[prendi]

my husband has the same pain in his left shoulder,the doc gave him tramadol tablets but they havent touched it.he told him to take paracetemol with it,but that hasnt worked either.he thinks it is a trapped nerve,and has referred him to the orthopods.that is in 2 weeks time but he is thinking it is something more sinister as the pain is persisting.

[welshlibranr]

I would insist now!...............yelenots, enough is enough!...................