Recovery time for Frozen Shoulder

[PrinceRainie]

Ive just been diagnosed with having "Frozen Shoulder" and am in absolute agony. The Doc originally prescribed Diclofenac which made no difference to the pain..I went back and another doc perscribed Dihydrocodiene, which again made no difference. Finally been given Co-codamol which seems to relieve some pain but it is still extremely painful.
Does anyone know what can make the pain subside, and what is the average period of recovery as my GP was not really willing to commit himself to a term,, other than it could take several months, if not a year!!!!

[skyep]

Hi Prince - I don't know how long the recovery time is, but it isn't an overnight thing! Pain wise, have you tried those wheat bags that you warm up in the microwave, they are reusable & definately give comfort! Available from most health shops/ Boots ect.. I have also bought a tens machine for 14.99 from my local Lloyds pharmacy - www.lloydspharmacy.com is their web page, if you scroll down it will tell you all about them when you click on the tens machine advert. Hope this helps xx

[PrinceRainie]

thanks SKYEP I will give that a try....anything must be better than this!!!!! feels like I have a 6 inch knife in my shoulder and someone is moving it around for the fun of it!!!!!

If anyone has any more suggestions then please keep them coming.............

[daffy654]

Ask your doctor to refer you for hydrocortisone injection into the affected area,its what all the sportmen have done on strained muscles to enable them to get back into training quicker.

[daffy654]

Just had a thought about the painkillers you've been on. Did the doctor not suggest taking the diclofenac with something like Tramadol? I only ask because that is what I am on for the nerve damage in my chest wall,I also use a TENS machine and have had the cortisone injections.Unfortunately none of this is working for me and I have another pain clinic appointment next week. :-(

[flump1]

hi, mr flump had a frozen shoulder like you have and endured the same agony . After the usual painkillers, and two or three of the injections he was offered physiotherapy and that was the turning point for him. He was given an exercise sheet and at the beginning he could not do very many of them as his shoulder was so very painful. However he was told to work through the pain and he did this slowly and in time the movement became more fluid ,and relieved his pain. One to start with would be to stand with both arms hanging free , then lean forwards letting your arms dangle. Slowly bring the injured one in as much of a circle as you can manage, it seemed to help mr flump. If you can get hold of an exercise sheet from your GP it would give you a head start before physio. Good luck , hope you get some relief soon. Mr flump also pinched my teddy to rest his shoulder on in bed ! !

[WendyS]

I have had this condition - twice - nso I sympathise. Both of mine took 18 months to rectify. I tried acupuncture which helped a little painwise but did nothing to give any extra movement. I also had steroid injections which made little difference. I was told that in severe cases it is sometimes possible to have the shoulder freed under a general anaesthetic but I don't think it is a solution which is generally recommended. Application of heat can sometimes provide temporary relief but to be honest, nothing I tried gave any lasting relief. Very gentle exercising may eventually increase mobility if you can bear the pain. The worst thing seems to be not being able to get a decent night's sleep as every time you move and put pressure on the shoulder, the pain wakes you again. Hope it improves soon.