Beauty

[Irishrose136]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences. That's so truly kind of you!

Guess I'll be calling my PCP for the initial eval. I get that specialists aren't thrilled to have patients who are self-referred.

I just hope some cortisone and PT will solve all this. I have a pretty good pain tolerance because I have chronic pain/fibromyalgia. But this has finally cracked my tolerance ceiling.

Thank you all!

[Bestdressed]

Can you put your arm behind your back and raise your hand to back of your bra area? I had a frozen shoulder and it was very painful. I couldn't raise my arm above my head or behind my back.

It took 3 months of PT and painful exercises & it is much better. Still not 100% but at least I can blow dry my hair and put a coat on. I thought I would never get better, my PT told me the PT & exercises would correct it. She also said this is common in women is there 50's & 60's.

[Chardie]

On 6/11/2014 Bestdressed said:

Can you put your arm behind your back and raise your hand to back of your bra area? I had a frozen shoulder and it was very painful. I couldn't raise my arm above my head or behind my back.

It took 3 months of PT and painful exercises & it is much better. Still not 100% but at least I can blow dry my hair and put a coat on. I thought I would never get better, my PT told me the PT & exercises would correct it. She also said this is common in women is there 50's & 60's.

I had this several years ago in my mid 40s. It took severals months of therapy to get my range of motion back. The PT said it's also common in diabetics (which I'm not), and I've also read it can be common in people with thyroid problems (I'm hypothyroid). I also felt like it would never get better, but it finally did.

[susielong]

On 6/11/2014 cassiem said:

I had the exact same type of shoulder pain and it actually ended up being caused by a deteriorating disc in my neck! This was discovered after several months of physical therapy on my shoulder did nothing to alleviate the pain and the therapist said she thought it was actually my neck that was the issue. My doctor ordered X-rays and nothing showed up in my shoulder, but they could clearly see the issue in my neck. Apparently neck issues can cause shoulder pain. I went through physical therapy for my neck, which helped tremendously, especially traction and improving my posture.

If I spend lots of time on the computer, the pain will come back because of the pressure on my neck as I look at the screen. It helps if I take breaks to stretch my neck.

This is exactly what was causing my pain.. I also thought it was my shoulder, Dr. MRI'd and said herniated/deteriorating disc in neck. Did the PT, it helped somewhat but after a couple of years of dealing with the pain, I opted and had fusion cervical surgery. That worked and took care of the problem.

[graceannesmom]

On 6/11/2014 SusieLong said:

On 6/11/2014 cassiem said:

I had the exact same type of shoulder pain and it actually ended up being caused by a deteriorating disc in my neck! This was discovered after several months of physical therapy on my shoulder did nothing to alleviate the pain and the therapist said she thought it was actually my neck that was the issue. My doctor ordered X-rays and nothing showed up in my shoulder, but they could clearly see the issue in my neck. Apparently neck issues can cause shoulder pain. I went through physical therapy for my neck, which helped tremendously, especially traction and improving my posture.

If I spend lots of time on the computer, the pain will come back because of the pressure on my neck as I look at the screen. It helps if I take breaks to stretch my neck.

This is exactly what was causing my pain.. I also thought it was my shoulder, Dr. MRI'd and said herniated/deteriorating disc in neck. Did the PT, it helped somewhat but after a couple of years of dealing with the pain, I opted and had fusion cervical surgery. That worked and took care of the problem.

These ladies posted EXACTLY what I was going to say. I am an RN and even my Dr. was convinced it was my shoulder and wanted to send me for expensive MRIs, etc. I only had subluxation of a few discs in my cervical spine (neck) but it (the pain) went down my shoulder and arm just as you described and was excruciating. I just needed some adjustments from the chiropractor and the problem was GONE. Whatever you decide definitely seek medical help sooner rather than later because the inflammation will continue to increase and your recovery time will also increase especially since you can't take NSAIDS. Good luck and I'll be sending prayers your way!!

[Christine16]

I would go with the Orthopedist. I have had two open rotator cuff surgeries and they really couldnt tell how bad the damage was until I had an MRI. I know an MRI is not always indicated. Maybe they would want to do a steroid injection - Ive had these too and they really do help with the pain. I would just make sure you have a reputable Ortho doctor. Since this pain is new maybe its more of a minor thing that can be taken care of without surgery. I know ice helped with my pain and you may want to try that to alleviate pain in the meantime. Good luck to you and I hope this clears up soon for you. :J)

[terrier3]

Take a 2 liter bottle of soda...hold it in your hand, hanging straight down on your bad side.

Make VERY little circular movements. Do this for 3-5 minutes, 3x a day.

After a day or two, your should muscle spasm should stop and you'll feel better.

My doctor had me do this and it worked.

He is young, but he said the old methods sometimes are easiest and best!

[depglass]

GP's go to medical school and have basic information on all symptoms and specialties. He/she will be able to refer you to correct specialist if you need one. Unless you have good insurance or an unlimited amount of money, skip the doctor roulette.

[TootyJane]

I'd skip your PCP and go directly to the orthopedist unless, of course, your insurance requires you do get a referral in order to see a specialist. An orthopedist specializes in skeletal (bones) issues whether it's your spine, your shoulder, etc. He/she can order an MRI or other test just as easily as a PCP. Why go to one doctor only to be told to go to a specialist? Sorry it just seems like a waste of an appointment. JHMO

[Irishrose136]

On 6/11/2014 Chardie said:

On 6/11/2014 Bestdressed said:

Can you put your arm behind your back and raise your hand to back of your bra area? I had a frozen shoulder and it was very painful. I couldn't raise my arm above my head or behind my back.

It took 3 months of PT and painful exercises & it is much better. Still not 100% but at least I can blow dry my hair and put a coat on. I thought I would never get better, my PT told me the PT & exercises would correct it. She also said this is common in women is there 50's & 60's.

I had this several years ago in my mid 40s. It took severals months of therapy to get my range of motion back. The PT said it's also common in diabetics (which I'm not), and I've also read it can be common in people with thyroid problems (I'm hypothyroid). I also felt like it would never get better, but it finally did.

Diabetic..........check

Hypothyroid.................check