MRI NEWS
Family dr said there are no tears or anything just ARTHRITIS go back to therapy. I told him I CAN'T do therapy because I just move wrong and I go to the floor in tears the pain is so bad!!!!!!! What don't you understand??????????? He told me to hold off on the therapy then til I see the ortho dr Wednesday then see what he says. Maybe he will give me an injection?? GOD help me get through this pain!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, now, Judy, don't panic. This isn't really bad news. I mean it's a good thing that you don't need surgery. I'm sure now that there is a firm diagnosis, they will be able to do something for you. Just keep hanging on, girlfriend. Try to be grateful for the things that it is NOT--not cancer, not surgical, not untreatable, etc. Praying for you!
Judy the only medication that works for my arthritis is Vicodin. I take a 1/2 a dose which is 400mg ....unless it gets worse then a whole one. Not every day if I can help it!!
I also use a tens unit almost daily. I use Bio Freeze to rub into the shoulders. Sometimes that is enough. Of course I take extra strength Tylenol...which is almost useless!
I so hope they can help you soon.
More prayers and lots of love and hugs...connie d
Judy-
So glad that they didn't find anything serious in the shoulder. I know its frustrating that your doctor doesn't seem to understand about the pain. Use the TENS, use heat, use ICE, take what pain meds they've prescribed Pain is a vicious cycle. Muscle spasm, inflamation, pain starts, muscle spasm worse, inflamation gets worse, pain gets worse. I used to have horrible debilitating neck pain. It took months of meds and physical therapy to break the cycle. I went through new pillows, adjustments to my desk layout, adjustments to monitor and keyboard layout but the cycle finally did get broken. If ortho suggests a cortisone injection then give it a try it will reduce the inflamation. Breath deeply and try everything that they suggest it will eventually improve.
Take a serious look at your computer layout. Monitor should be at eye level, you shouldn't be looking down at it. Arms should be at a right angle, not angling up or down. Feet should be flat on floor. Take serious look at sleep positions too. If you sleep on side, look at your arm positions and neck positions.
I use the TENS unit sometimes to break the pain spasms. Doesn't give total relief but does break the cycle. Heat and ice for improved blood flow which breaks the spasm. You do not want the shoulder to freeze up completely.
Most of all breath deeply and try to relax. I know it's frustrating that people don't seem to understand but it will get better. Sending positive vibes your way. Breath breath breath
Cindi
Hi Cindi...I am trying EVERYTHING I can to help me with this pain!!! How can this just happen over night????? One day I am ok and the next its full blown PAIN?????? That is what I do not understand!!! And for those of us that had RNY and can't use any NSAIDS what can we use for pain???? After almost 7 years can we once again start using NSAIDS again????? This pain is now constant not here and there or when weather changes...I hate it!!! I move wrong and I about drop to the floor in pain and cry hard!!! Hopefully this ortho dr will have SOMETHING for me Wednesday!!
HUGSSSSSSSS
Judy,
I have rheumatoid arthritis and what you describe sounds like a rhematoid flare up. My doctor puts me on steroids to fight the inflamation and, of course, I live on prilosec. RA flareups require no cause for the flareup...they just happen. Usually, I end up having the joint that is causing the most pain drained and then injected with steroids. Until then, here are some helpful things you can do at home: alternate heat with ice. I also use those heat patches. they are made out of iron something and when you open them and tape them to your joint, they begin warming the joint up. Now that heat will make you feel better but do not start using it again. Keep it immobilized as much as possible. If you can, make a sling and keep the arm at rest so the shoulder will rest too. Put aspercreame on your neck, your shoulder and upper back so you can start absorbing some of the antiinflammatory benefits of aspirin. Finally, until someone suffers through immense and uncontrollable pain, it is difficult to get them to understand and will just create stress in your life. I am not saying suffer in silence but when the health care folks seem to be clueless, they are and losing it around them will do you more harm than good. Hang in there; the ortho guy will hook you up and until then, try all the things I have suggested and when you get to the ortho guy, be patient...you will get more help from the medical staff if you are patient and kind than if you are impatient and rude...I know you are not rude but resist the temptation to raise your voice or talk down to the staff...they will label you a drug seeker.