Shoulder Pain

Hi All,
I have back pain - Stenosis, Osteoarthritis all levels including tail bone, Scoliosis
and some other things. It's like I have a big pain cross on my back. : (
If my left shoulder was measured, it would probably be 2 inches longer than my
right.

Of Course, I'm considering the Pain Pump but until that time comes to act, I have
a question:

When my left shoulder is in pain, I can't do anything. I'm miserable.
It's good first thing in the morning, after a nap, or after my husband gives me a massage.
It's especially good if my Methadone has kicked in. Anyway it stays good for a couple
of hours and then Wham ... down I go holding the nob of my shoulder. It feels like
my shoulder is almost detaching. (A spasm?)

If I go for an MRI, I couldn't lay still while I was in pain. If I wasn't in pain, would
the problem even show? I've had many MRI's but this is a rather new problem.

I'm going to try asking my doctor tomorrow. However, my doctor is a busy busy
busy man and it is unlikely that he will have time to answer my question. (Any
question) I need a new Pain Doctor.(Not easy to do)

I haven't been reading much. Too much pain. I'll catch up soon. (I hope)
Pamela Shoulderpain aka Pamela Neckpain

Hi Pamela,

I'm so sorry that your shoulder is in pain. I certainly know shoulder pain & how bad it can get as I've had 3 shoulder surgeries from a torn labrum & ligament damage. I had to have both of my shoulders literally tied back into place as they always used to dislocate. They were very painful for years, even after the surgeries, but fortunately they have finally returned to feeling some-what normal. Now they only bother me when I lift something too heavy/do something stupid, or if I don't sleep with my shoulder pillows.

I'm no doctor, so I can't tell you for sure what is going on, but it would definitely be worth getting checked out. You could just have muscle spasms or inflammation, or your shoulder could be sub-luxating (partially popping out of the joint, it usually clicks loudly & feels like it "jumps" if this is happening, but you can also feel some pulling), or you could have even torn something. You definitely need someone to take a look, an orthopedist would be the best.

An MRI would probably show any damage, although they aren't always conclusive. My MRI's never showed my torn labrum, and the ligament damage that I had also cannot be seen by MRI (because they were not torn, only damaged), it has to be determined by exam & history.

You might think about picking up a cheap sling a the pharmacy so that you could put it on when your shoulder is really bothering you & give it a rest. You will be surprised how much gravity alone can influence your shoulder. Ice and heat are also good -- they do make ice packs & heating pads that are meant for shoulders (since shoulders are such an awkward shape). Your husband's massages sound wonderful too! If you sleep on your side, try not to sleep on that shoulder.

Also, if you sleep on the side of your good shoulder, you might want to get a squishy pillow that you can put under your bad arm to support it, and place another pillow in front of you so that you can use it to prop up & rest the hand of your bad shoulder on. I use cylinder shaped pillows with little tiny foam beads in them, as they are very flexible yet supportive. I have had to sleep this way since I first injured my shoulders nearly six years ago, because the force of my hand/arm hanging over the side of my body hurts my shoulders. The pillows really help to take the stress off of the shoulder. I wake up in pain without them.

Good luck with the doctor! I hope you get some answers & some relief!

Skeye

Post Edited (skeye) : 12/3/2008 2:30:12 PM (GMT-7)

Skeye:
At one time I did tie my shoulder back. It wasn't a very good tie. I didn't know
how to do it.
I will look at pillows. I keep walking around in the pillow departments and then
leaving after deciding I can't afford any pillows. My purchase today was a lighted
raindeer for the front lawn and a pack of Christmas cards Maybe I can't afford not
to have some good pillows.
I sleep on my side and at all times during my sleep I hold my shoulder and kind
of massage it with lotion all night. (No wonder I wake up every two hours!)
I think a sling is good idea too. I once tried to make one with my bra.I cut the straps
and tied them in some creative ways. My elbow went in the cup. It worked fairly
well but kept me housebound.
Ice packs and heat pads for the shoulder! I've never seen such things. I balance
a ho***er bottle on my shoulder as I type this. I hate ice but I know it makes
swelling go down.
I don't think it's subluxating because I never hear a pop or crack ... but I do
feel a terrible pulling away.
Ekkorose: From your discription of Bursitis, I sure hope that's what I have but ...
I kinda doubt it.
We'll see. I have to get an internist because mine is quitting. After that I
believe I will get a referral to an orthopedist.
This stuff ain't for sissies!