Calling all those with shoulder problems

how is your pain level today while taking the darvocet?

also, you might find that taking it around the clock...whether it be every 8 hours or every 4 hours; will help the pain more than taking it just when needed.

personally, i have dilaudud 4mg tabs. and when my jointpain is bad, even THEY don't really get a grip on the pain! in the ER when they give dilaudud IV, that works much better.  i end up having to take prednisone and or tylenol with it as well.

i would also use some heat/ice whatever feels better on the arm.  when my shoulders got real bad in the summer...it sounds so simple but ice was the only thing that stopped the swelling and throbbing.

this sounds like you're going to have to go through quite a few medicine combos until you find something that controls this pain.

the virus you had could definitely have left you with extreme muscle pain in your arms and back. takes a while to disipate.

in the meantime...try not to move the arm around too much or aggravate the joint. stretch lightly if it feels tight, try to hold on till monday...if you're not content w/ the Darvocet the doc has to listen to you! perhaps then he'll order a dilaudid to test out. (it is short acting though! wears off after 2 or 3 hours).

{{{{{{{{{ big hugs to nic }}}}}}}}}}}}}}  i'm wishing your pain away right now.        {{{{ go away, go away, go away!}}}}}}}}}

Hmmmm?...I think I know the 'prednisone induced something or another"...has to to with the ligaments and sockets and stuff; but when I get home & have access to my books I will certainly look it up. 

That's a good doseage of the Darvocet.  Take the 2 pills at each time if that's what it takes to get you a little more comfortable.

Remeber, you can always call him back over the phone & have him reiterate what he said. A simple, "can you explain again about the prednisone issue you were speaking of" & tell em' about the fever too. Maybe you can accomplish a little via telephone. 

How's Erin?  She's got a pulse...so I'm not gonna complain.

  Hey NicNac,

How are you doing with the shoulder? Any better/worse/same?

In my neck of the woods the docs & offices are the same.  Very rarely do you get the actually M.D. call back (unless it is high complexity) but some MA's (medical assistants) are very skilled and they are just as good at relaying the docs messages. (Hey I was one!) But true...playing telephone?...ya do tend to get lost in the run around with receptionists, lost messages....etc.

My GI actually is great. I've had many phone appts with him! hah. And he calls you back within like 15 minutes. He also schedules his own appointments with you on the phone.  In Manhattan, my rheumatologist corresponded with me via email, which was very cool.  My rheummy in NJ...I usually get the receptionist. So I guess it's a crap shoot.

Ok, now with the steroid thing. Correct me if I am wrong, but you recieved the cortisone through injection in the shoulder?  This form can cause very bad muscle pain and if it was given too close to the radial nerve in your arm...it could be causing a lot of pain that way too.  If the shot was given intra-articularly (into the shoulder joint) there could be a risk for infection...which would show up in an XRAY or MRI and even blood work (elevated WBCs).

Another thing I can think of, if you are on any medicines that have fluoroquinolone ingredients: (antibiotics like Cipro/Levaquin/Penetrex/Tequin/Floxin/Trovan...) there runs a risk of tendons rupturing when given steroids. This also you would need films taken to see.

 It is written in my Drug reference guide : Patients should report promptly unusual swelling and bone pain.

Well Nic, I sure hope you got a hold of someone today or at least your MRI results. If there is anything I can look up for you or you want to know...just let me know. Be more than happy to...I've forgotten a lot of steroid information so you'll be a good refresher course. You take care & let me know how you are doing. (Gee I wish I had a jet. I'de make house calls...nation wide.LOL ) Erin

Awe Nic thanx.  You know, being away from nursing & not being to be able to do bedside and unit care/work; this here & what I do studying while taking a grad course online is like my only connection to nursing.  I'm really disapointed...watching all my girlfriends that have graduated and are all off working and I wish I was doing that. In fact, my one friend (she'll be graduating in a few weeks) she was so nervous and all and I would always calm her down when having to do a procedure or if she didn't know how to hang an IV right....AND NOW she's having so much fun and doing great...I guess I just miss everything and everyone.

My boyfriend is wonderful & supportive, but again I hate for him to have to watch me like this.

Yesterday was a good day. We went grocery shopping & I cooked a real kickin' dinner. That makes him happy.  I go a little nuts...I like ambience and table settings and candles. We light up our palm tree (in christmas lights!), put some Dylan on...plenty of vino! LOL.

And when I accomplish something like that (which is far & few between) I feel real good about it.

I wish I had consistant days. Disapointed too in that my joints have got worse & not better despite treatment. But am pushing forward within the next month with my rheummy. He needs to start getting as aggressive as my GI, then I think I will be getting more results.

Today I was content and happy I walked for about 5 minutes outside. Twice! So that's 10! Never losing hope.

Thanks for listening. And I am happy you found out what is going on with your arm. You'll be in my prayers that the pain dissipates as the week goes on.

Nighty night.