Shoulder and stiff fingers

[lucy123]

I have been really struggling with a very stiff shoulder and hand for a few months now.

I can move my shoulder forwards and backwards but can't move it upwards (iimagine doing a chicken movement) as it seems to catch and get agonising pain. In the morning it is very stiff and to move it in the chicken movement I have to do it with my other arm. Once I get it past the sharp pain bit its okay.

I also have on the same side, a very stiff hand and very painful in the morning.

I have seen the GP who thinks it is arthritis and has given me slow release tramadol and diclofenac. To start with these seemed to help and I had a couple of morniings where I woke with hardly any discomfort.

Last night I was tossing and turning and yelling out each time I lay on that side and this morning it is the worst it has been.

I have left a message with GP to see if the meds can be reviewed.

The thing is that the pain is very bad morning and night, but during the day does ease off - not totally gone, but almost. I am able to play tennis by medicating myself and I really don't want to have to give tennis up as it really is my life.

Has anyone else had anything similar? What did you do about it - or can anyone offer any further advice?

I have tried icing it but it made no difference.

I am having to type at the moment with my left hand as right is still so stiff.

Also - I know this is silly but could any of this be related to water retention - I take frusemide for this?

 

[cherrypie]

Hi Lucy,

Sounds like afrozen shoulder to me. I have had it in alternate shoulders at different times and I think there is someone here who had it in both shoulders at the same time.😱

I would say that the most difficult thing for me was trying to cope with the pain whilst sleeping and involuntarily laying on the shoulder as you describe. It also made washing, dressing and driving and other everyday tasks very difficult. Can you do your bra up by placing it in situ and putting your arms behind your back to do it up? That to me was the acid test and once I could do this without any pain I knew it was well and truly on the mend.

See if this article sheds any light on what you are experiencing.

http://www.gotosee.co.uk/conditions/Frozen-Shoulder.htm

 

[Caroline]

Have you asked for physiotherapy. Sometimes gentle exercise helps, it jus depends on how much pain you are in.

Hubby has osteoarthritis in his knees, he finds doing a bit then resting helps, but as he is retired he can take his time to do things. When necessary he also takes ibuprofen and paracetemol, although before any one else does this take advice to make sure it is safe for you to do so.

 

[lucy123]

Hi Lucy,

Sounds like afrozen shoulder to me. I have had it in alternate shoulders at different times and I think there is someone here who had it in both shoulders at the same time.😱

I would say that the most difficult thing for me was trying to cope with the pain whilst sleeping and involuntarily laying on the shoulder as you describe. It also made washing, dressing and driving and other everyday tasks very difficult. Can you do your bra up by placing it in situ and putting your arms behind your back to do it up? That to me was the acid test and once I could do this without any pain I knew it was well and truly on the mend.

See if this article sheds any light on what you are experiencing.

http://www.gotosee.co.uk/conditions/Frozen-Shoulder.htm

Thanks Cherrypie for the information. I am not sure it is frozen shoulder though as it is just the chicken movement that is affected. I can put my arm up my back no problem. It also affects the fingers on the same hand.

Last night and today seem the worst they have been - but I do wonder if this is because I have had a nasty sickness/diarrhoea bug for 1 day this week and wonder if I had got rid of the painkillers in the process.

I have been offered physio and have put this off - but may have to look into this further.

GP hjas come back to me already to say the meds given already are very strong so physio may have to be the next step - but she wants to see me tomorrow when she is next in so will see what she says.

Thank you anyway for looking into it for me.🙂

 

[lucy123]

Have you asked for physiotherapy. Sometimes gentle exercise helps, it jus depends on how much pain you are in.

Hubby has osteoarthritis in his knees, he finds doing a bit then resting helps, but as he is retired he can take his time to do things. When necessary he also takes ibuprofen and paracetemol, although before any one else does this take advice to make sure it is safe for you to do so.

Hi Caroline - yes I was offered it but thought I would try the meds first.
I am a bit worried now as GP says i am on the strongest meds she would want me to be on - is there only diclofenac and tramadol for arthritis? I was hoping there was a wonder drug that would make it like new again!🙂

 

[Catwoman76]

I have been really struggling with a very stiff shoulder and hand for a few months now.

I can move my shoulder forwards and backwards but can't move it upwards (iimagine doing a chicken movement) as it seems to catch and get agonising pain. In the morning it is very stiff and to move it in the chicken movement I have to do it with my other arm. Once I get it past the sharp pain bit its okay.

I also have on the same side, a very stiff hand and very painful in the morning.

I have seen the GP who thinks it is arthritis and has given me slow release tramadol and diclofenac. To start with these seemed to help and I had a couple of morniings where I woke with hardly any discomfort.

Last night I was tossing and turning and yelling out each time I lay on that side and this morning it is the worst it has been.

I have left a message with GP to see if the meds can be reviewed.

The thing is that the pain is very bad morning and night, but during the day does ease off - not totally gone, but almost. I am able to play tennis by medicating myself and I really don't want to have to give tennis up as it really is my life.

Has anyone else had anything similar? What did you do about it - or can anyone offer any further advice?

I have tried icing it but it made no difference.

I am having to type at the moment with my left hand as right is still so stiff.

Also - I know this is silly but could any of this be related to water retention - I take frusemide for this?

Oohhh ouch, that does sound painful The shoulder sounds like a frozen shoulder, it's very common in people with Diabetes, especially women. I had a frozen left shoulder about 9 years ago and I have it on the right side now, very painful at times, so glad we only have 2 shoulders. I hope your hand starts to get better with the medication, if it is still causing agony then I think it's best to see dr again. I wish you a good and a relatively pain free day.( sorry, I don't know about the water retention problem) Take care Sheena

 

[Emmaathome]

I had tendonitis in my shoulder. Very painful, couldnt do the "chicken", but also had problems raising my arm above my head too.

Worth asking for physio, although the thing that helped me more was the cortisone injection..... Gave me enough time to try to build the strength back up while keeping the pain at bay. Haven't suffered too much since, although the cold makes it "twinge" a bit.

Good luck back at the docs.

 

[Caroline]

Hi Caroline - yes I was offered it but thought I would try the meds first.
I am a bit worried now as GP says i am on the strongest meds she would want me to be on - is there only diclofenac and tramadol for arthritis? I was hoping there was a wonder drug that would make it like new again!🙂

There are other drugs, but I think it depends on each individual case and how much pain you are in.

 

[AJLang]

Lucy sorry for my delay in replying to this. Is it possible that the shoulder and hand problems are not related i.e. that it might be frozen shoulder and the hand arthritis? Just a thought. Lots sympathy because I know that it is a nightmare not being being able to sleep properly at night because of a painful shoulder. I really, really hope that this doesn't affect you playing tennis. Big hugs and lots of love Amanda xx