SHOULDERS

[AnnaH]

I don't know if this should be in the same thread really, but I did have bad shoulder pain, and I have weakness and loss of muscle tone in my right shoulder . But now the pain has largely gone. Unfortunately, so has a lot of the sensation in my right shoulder - the skin over my shoulder blade and in the top of my arm-pit feels like my mouth when I've been to the dentist. For a while, it itched and I kept scratching it, and did myself a mischief (gauged the skin because I couldn't feel it), but now it just feels dead.

My GP said it was probably a side-effect of Gabapentin, which I'm on for pain, so I've reduced my dose to see if there is any improvement. It feels better (no more burning or itching) but when I touch the area, it is as numb as ever. Meanwhile, without the pain relief, my general pain level is now intolerable so I'm going to increase my dose again (experiment over).

I also get a lot of aching and stiffness in my elbow and hands. The pain is particularly bad when I'm driving. The hands have been bad for years, but I've got noticeable weakness in them, and I sublux fingers easily, so have to be careful lifting things, twisting etc. I can sew, however! (can't knit any more, as that's a twisty motion). This all sounds rather trivial compared to some of your problems, but it does kind of worry me that I'm getting so many symptoms these days, and my doctors seem pretty clueless.

I'm rather out in the wilds of Cambridgeshire, and my mobility isn't great, so it isn't practical to see specialists in London or wherever.

[Lauren]

If you're losing strength in your shoulders then maybe you should ask for physio. Certian exercises can make a big difference.

[AnnaH]

I felt really ill today, so had an emergency appointment. It looks as if it could be my vitamin D levels and parathyroid playing up again, so my GP wants me to nag the endo to see me again ASAP (I have an appointment in March). My endocrine problems cause paresthaesia, weakness, dizziness, muscle pain, brain fog, headaches... general ickiness. It's a bit similar to the symptoms of thyroid deficiency, only for a different reason. No one knows if it's related to my HMS or not.

[Raedmarh]

Info passed by a guest who is reputable! I just hope he meant here!

just had a bit of a peek at the boards cos it's been so long since i did and i found this post
it sounds VERY like calcific tendonitis mate..... it's what i have and it's nasty!
they basically need to go for an ultrasound to see if there is any calcification and to what extent, also she may have to have an mri, i had one and it showed that my shoulder capsules are too tight... basically there's no space in them so the extra calcium phosphate acts like a grinding paste causing swelling, tearing of the tendons, irritation and compression of the nerves and a hell of a lot of pain! if you could post that for me that would be brilliant! i would hate someone to have to go through what i have the past couple of years.

I've just been diagnosed with this along with bursitis. It's been 4 months of shoulder hell yet they say the calcification heals in 1-4 weeks???? Does anyone have experience with this?

[Rosie]

Hi all

We are notorious for slow healing, regardless of the injury. In particular, if an injury is not given the extra time we may need to heal, and it assumed to be ready to resume normal activity, injuries can easily re-occur, and this can prolong and delay healing even more.

Rosie

[lollipop]

I'll agree with Rosie. I gave my shoulder and good whack at the beginning of december and pushed it out. It's still not 100% and I often have to ask my sister to unlock it and get rid of all the knot that have got stuck.

[paw]

My favourite site for ortho info is eOrthopod. Here are the articles for shoulder problems. Read them all and see if any of them apply to your injury or problem. I usually have a combination of several problems at the same time. There are also articles for other joints if you click the menu on the right.

[elka3131]

I have never had any problems with my shoulders before until l Iast night, I was on a night out dancing in a pub. I don't know exactly what I did but it felt like when I moved my arm down itfelt like it carried on moving more that it should have done (if that makes sense). Having dislocated my knees and thumbs before I knew I hadn't fully dislocated my shoulder and it felt like it had back into the right place but it definitely hurt (this was on top of a bit of alcohol). This was around 11pm and at the end of the night at 2am I gave in and went to A&E. They weren't sure what I had done to it but they think I pulled the muscles/ligaments behind my shoulder which I suppose would make sense. It all feels very bruised and stiff today which I hope is normal.

As I said, I have never had problems wih my shoulders before and I thought because I have quite toned upper arms and shoulders I wouldn't but obviously this may not be the case. I'm a little concerned that this may be the start of things.

[Raedmarh]

Alcohol also loosens things up. Your muscles relax and I find I am more prone to injury in this situation. It numbs you but also loosens you. I did my right knee like that. I just went into the kitchen to get something and turned around and out it went. I'm blaming the wine for making me too loose. Takes on a whole new meaning to have alcohol loosen you up!

[Lauren]

Oh dear! Will have to remember that for future reference.

[sheppeyescapee]

The physio I saw said that the wrong muscles are being recruited to hold my shoulder in and I need to work on strengthening my rotator cuff.

[madmum]

I have had problems with my right shoulder which was probably frozen. Now I have found I cannot get my arm behind my back or above my head. It feels like something is blocking it and even the chiropractor felt something locking it. I had physio which did not help. Should I go back to the gp? Seeing hand specialist next week,I am wondering if he would have any idea.

[Raedmarh]

I have the same deal. Been like that for over 4 months. I had an MRI of it and there was a finding of some sort of tear. I am seeing the specialist tomorrow. I'd push for an MRI if I was you.

[trekster]

My right shoulder is really bad at the moment, seems permanently subluxed and is hard to type with
my right hand. i cant sleep on any other side apart from my right so not sure what else i can do to support it?

Could i use tubigrip on my shoulder? Strange thing is my left ankle is more painful tonight for some reason.
i keep trying to put my shoulder back in but it doesnt seem to want to stay in place.

[madmum]

I would suggest you get to casualty as it could restrict your nerves.