shoulder pains

[sophie_1003]

My boyfriend is 20 and every winter for about the past 3 years or so he has had a pain in his left shoulder, it is much worse and more persistent when he is cold (hence it being only in the winter); it also worsens when he drives, it make him unable to lift his arm much above shoulder level. He went to the doctors last year but it wasn't painful when he went and he could move his arm fine so the doctor said there was nothing wrong and told him to take Ibuprofen when it gets bad (which is usually every day). I looked up info on NHS Direct anout frozen shoulder and some of his symptons are there but it doesn't seem quite the same Any idea what it could be?

[1kayvee]

I have had trouble with my shoulder for the last 2 years and have now had 2 ops to sort it out. Did he fall on it or damage it in any way that he can remember? He has some of the same symptoms that I had

[Andyvon]

I have had similar pains in both my shoulders for several years. That has often been termed 'frozen shoulder'. The pain is so bad sometimes that I am in agony and cannot move my arm or shoulder at all. When it is like that, it can take a week or so to ease off. I can't sleep or doing anything much.

Earlier this year, I went to my local A&E at 6 on a Sunday morning as my right shoulder so bad I didn't know what to do. I couldn't wait for the doctor to open the following day. After various checks (injury, heart etc) they explained that it is something they termed 'Impingement Syndrome' (I had never heard of that and neither had my GP). The hospital explained that my muscles spasm and cramp and I could believe it from the pain. They gave me powerful painkillers (Codeine Phosphate) which they said I could mix with Ibuprofen and paracetamol when the pain was very bad. However, be very careful! I prefer not to bother with paracetamol as it is dangerous. It's tempting to take too much when the pain is bad and I make sure I don't.
The A&E told me the condition is just something that comes and goes occasionally and there is not much that can be done. I agreed with that as I have had spasms and cramps since childhood in all parts of my body. I have always suffered stress and it has always been put down to that. I'm 45 now and completely used to it.

I will say that I have yet to recover full movement in my shoulder from the episode this year which lasted about two weeks. I still can't lift my arm above my shoulder but the pain has gone. The GP offered physiotherapy but I didn't bother as things eventually return to normal.

Perhaps your boyfriend's condition is the same Sophie as it certainly sounds familiar. If it is, then it is something that occasionally happens and it goes after about a week. The painkillers are the best help - but please tell him to be careful with them! All the best!

[sophie_1003]

it does come and go but it can be painful for weeks without stopping, he doesnt like taking tablets at all so that wont be a problem! ill try n get him to go to the gp again but last time they were very dismissive so it put him off a bit. kayvee--i dont think hes had any injurys to his shoulder, i think he wouldve mentioned them if he had, ill ask him tho! thanks for all ur help btw!

[beejaybee]

As he does not like taking tablets, how about using a pain relief cream/gel. Voltarol is a good one & is available from any chemist. He could try a natural remedy if he wanted. PHYTORUMA is one I`d try. I use it for arthritis in my hip & knees & it`s excellent.

[sophie_1003]

thanku v much...ill suggest summat like that...maybe deep heat will help as its when his shoulder gets cold!

[beejaybee]

I`d avoid deep heat or any other heat ceam as they can cause skin reaction. Likewise a freeze spray. I used a freeze spray & ended up with a burn on my back. It was really sore & I had to have it dressed every day.

[sophie_1003]

oh rite...dint kno it could cause a reaction