Painful Shoulder

[Eve]

Hi, I have subacromial impingement in both shoulders, had it for years and most recently had steroid injections in both just over a month ago.

One of my shoulders has been extremely painful today (I'm used to pain in them but this seems much more acute and much more painful) and has been getting worse, no obvious injury I can think of and the other one is ok, usually with my rheumatoid arthritis it's both sides. I have a very small and reduced range of movement without a very sharp pain kicking in preventing moving it as much as possible, both upwards and out to the side and it has been very painful and weak when trying to do anything with any weight on it like pouring a kettle and carrying a bag.

I've put some ibuprofen gel on it and have a hot water bottle over it and am on quite a lot of painkillers anyway but they aren't seeming to touch it, am on regular paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine phosphate and Enbrel.

Is there anything else I can do apart from resting it, especially as will cause issues trying to get about with work and with using my walking stick I'm a bit out of hands!

[Sqad]

\\\\I've put some ibuprofen gel on it and have a hot water bottle over it and am on quite a lot of painkillers anyway but they aren't seeming to touch it, am on regular paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine phosphate and Enbrel. \\\

You have summed the treatment up in one paragraph as it sounds like a supraspinatus tendinitis (Rotator cuff problem)

This may take weeks to settle......even months and apart from the above treatment which you have implemented, the only other treatment is an Injection Of cortisone into the joint.

Good luck Eve.

[Tilly2]

Oh, Eve. You have such a rough time. I hope it improves for you soon. xx

[Eve]

Thanks Sqad, and Tilly too, for your advice and best wishes.

Argh, such a pain as I only had them injected recently and it made such a difference. Just recovering from having Shingles (again) on the same arm too! Thankfully I'm right handed though (left shoulder)!

Have prescription diclofenac too, usually reserved for the worse pain given all the other stuff and amount of it I take, so can give that a go as well as it certainly fits that!

Have got heat and cold sprays (and gels, and packs and all sorts of stuff for the RA anyway and some of those heat pads I can stick on. If heat hasn't helped it in a bit I'll try the cold for a bit.

[tonyav]

Any chance of another cortisone jab, Eve ?.

[Eve]

Hi Tony, I'm not sure so soon, only had them done at the beginning of March and the third time I've had them done and have had other ones, general (in the bum, well just above it!) and in my hips so had plenty, tend to be quite spaced out though.

Have a consultant appointment this week to see how my new injections are going, so will ask them but they may not be very interested if it's seen as not being "rheumatology" related and may depend on who I see. Will definitely ask them about it though and see what they say.

[Eve]

Oh, that sounds a bit dodgy! I should say the "in the bum" ones are for general relief (not in a specific joint/bursa) when really bad flare, between meds or meds not working etc... not actually in the bum :O

[tonyav]

LOL It's ok Eve I get the picture ( Bum jabs ).
Whether there interested or not isn't the point though imo, your in pain and the consultant is a doctor it's his job to try and stop this pain that your getting I should have thought, Eve.

[Tilly2]

Eve, I was told by my GP that they have stopped prescribing Diclofenac now because of the side effects. I now have Naproxen. That works as well.

Diclofenac was wonderful. Like a little magic pill. Naproxen is not quite the same.

[Eve]

Ooh, what happened to King Joffrey!

Fingers crossed Tony! Will see what they say tomorrow.

Diclofenac is great, hope they don't stop prescribing it! I heard something about cardiac issues with it. I was on Naproxen but got taken off when the fluid built up in my legs in case it was that causing it but wasn't as the fluid is still there! Didn't find it as good as Diclofenac though.

[Elina]

The only practical idea I can think of Eve ... at least while in the home is reducing the strain on your shoulders. Do you have one of those kettle aids that hold a kettle while filling a cup?

[Elina]

I used to have diclofenac & had it withdrawn Eve?

[Elina]

Eve, no doubt you have tried this ... sleeping with a slimmish pillow under the affected arm. Under the armpit that is !... & the rest lying in a straight line to your body.

[Eve]

Thanks for the tips, will look in to the kettle one as have been struggling and fill it via a lighter measuring jug but still difficult to pour, even before this shoulder issue. Will try the pillow one. Already sleep with one between my knees to help my hips, no idea what I do with it while I'm asleep though as it never seems to be there when I wake up!

I do hope they don't stop it, I have asked for more as and when needed and it is great stuff!

The appointment was very frustrating as there was a language barrier and I just didn't get to discuss things I needed to properly and it felt like a bit of a waste of an appointment. I did try to ask about my shoulder but got nowhere, save having mentioned it then nearly jumping off the bed when she pulled my arm up when testing my joints.

It is more comfortable now, I've been resting it and doing some very light controlled movement and using pain gel and heat so will see how it goes over the weekend. Hoping some good rest will help generally, been a tough week.

[Elina]

Hope you find relief somehow Eve x