Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: miagran on July 15, 2014, 07:30:13 AM
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Hi, I've just been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder which could be here for a long long time,the pain's horrendous and I'm off on holiday to Zante for 2 weeks tomorrow morning :-\. I read about a lady who connected this with the menopause and when she was given HRT it was like oiling her shoulder and she felt great. Trouble is I have been on HRT before then taken off after 5 years, which led to a lot more problems. I know it's too late to ask the doc about getting back on HRT before the holiday (if I ever get to see a doc at all) but do you think this would be possible? Also if anyone has had a fs would swimming ease it or make it worse? :'(
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Have you done a search. We had a long running thread on this very thing a few years ago. Sorry I don't have time to look just now but from what I remember I think rest is important.
Honeyb
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Hi
I don't know about the efficacy of HRT in relation to a frozen shoulder but just wanted to offer my sympathies. I had a frozen shoulder four years ago and it was easily the most painful experience I have ever had.
Presumably having been formally diagnosed, you have already seen a doctor about this. Are you planning to see an orthopaedic specialist?
I had my frozen shoulder manipulated under anaesthetic which was non-invasive, provided instant relief and was 100% successful. I've had no similar problems since. The shoulder did have to be fully frozen (i.e. very little movement possible in some directions) before it could be done though, so I had to wait about 4 months to reach this point so that the procedure could then be performed successfully. I survived on prescription-strength painkillers in the meantime. I am glad I secured an early referral to an orthopaedic surgeon in order to get on his list to have this done. His opinion was that there wasn't really anything I could do as regards lifestyle or exercise (whilst waiting for it to fully freeze so that the MUA could be done) to improve mobility or to make the situation worse. So, personally, I don't see why you shouldn't try swimming.
BTW , in my experience, physio was a complete waste of time and, in retrospect, made the problem worse.
I hope that you are able to enjoy your holiday and take steps to get this sorted. You shouldn't have to wait for it to resolve (this can takes years) if there is another solution.
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A visit with a good osteopath or physiotherapist can do wonders for frozen shoulders and the like.
Heat pads can also help. The healing can be slow but whilst HRT can help to keep connective tissue and ligaments healthier a frozen shoulder is not necessarily a good enough reason to go on HRT.
I would keep it warm and avoid too much use of the shoulder for a while. I find it helps to keep things moving a bit through the healing process but don't do things that really hurt.
Local anti inflammatory gels (Ibuleve) can be helpful or just take ibuprofen 2-3 times a day for 3-4 days with food and that will help.
DG x
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The old thread has been bumped so you can get some information about it there.
It's a terribly painful thing. I thought I had a frozen shoulder until I read exactly what it could entail and then decided I had a very stiff shoulder instead.
Honeyb
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Frozen shoulder will heal within 18-22 months - if one doesn't move at all during that time ::) : but of course we breath, yawn, sneeze - so gentle physio and pain relief is important.
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Thanks to all of you for the advice and sympathy, I will try to apply it to my lifestyle. The first day on holiday was horrendous as I was in so much pain, but yesterday I started the prescribed meds and. combined with swiming and gentle exercise had eased it greatly, I everythingn managed to put my hair in a ponytail, painful but I was so chuffed......simple things eh lol Thanks again! <3
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Do some simple exercises every hour to keep the shoulder joint mobile. Stretching forwards whilst swimming is ideal!
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Anyone have any hundred percent movement a year after surgery?How about it coming back in the other shoulder? :o
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I haven't had surgery for frozen shoulder but did have it manipulated under anaesthetic. 100% successful, that was 4 years ago and I still have 100% movement. No sign of it in the other shoulder although I gather one is at risk at any point in the future having had it on one shoulder.
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I started with a frozen shoulder just over 12 months ago, the movement was bad, and the pain was hindering sleep, i went for x rays and they diagnosed calcification, I was sent for physio, but it did'nt really seem to be working, then in October I woke up one morning with a severe pain which I hadn't had before, as the day progressed it got worse, and by the night I was going out of my mind, I have never known anything that bad (not even childbirth) even breathing hurt, I went to the docs the next day, but wouldn't even let him touch it, he said it had developed into tendonitis, which is usually treated with a cortosone injection, but because I have a clotting disorder I can't have intra muscular injections, so he would refer me to the hospital. My appointment came through for January!!!! I rang and said I may as well cancel this because if the pain continues at this level i won't be here, I will either have done away with myself, or through lack of sleep and pain , killed someone and be in prison lol.
The up shot is, I never got to see anyone at the hospital, over the next 6 months or so it very gradually got less painful. I still don't have full movement, but it is coming back (fingers crossed) I suppose because it's in my right shoulder, and i'm right handed, i'm doing my own physio anyway.
I know how horrid it is, but I promise, with or without treatment it WILL get better, just takes an awful long time. good luck xx
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I've just seen an osteopath because of ongoing back pain. She explained that in the years running up to menopause as our oestrogen levels decline we very gradually lose a degree of flexibility in our joints. This can cause us to start to move in a less-than-ideal fashion particularly if we gain an injury and then try, often unconsciously, to protect the injured joint by moving differently. This way of moving becomes the "new normal" for an individual. When we start HRT and re-introduce the missing oestrogen our joints can start to regain some of the lost flexibility bit by bit (which is good) but things can start to hurt as we regain movement in an area that hasn't moved properly for years. The key is to carefully re-introduce an improved range of movement. Makes sense to me.
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Well another day still a few more days to see surgeon to hopefully try cortisone treatment in other arm. So much pain day and night that you could loss your mind.Sign me up for surgery right now at this point can not take any more pain.
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Swimming they say helps...Right now the best help is heat or ice pack. Have horrible frozen shoulder pain from one arm to next. Doctor associated menopause with frozen shoulder but to me it makes sense. I have a new surgeon so will again Monday August 11 if he thinks it's associated. Hang in there its a long road ahead.
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Oh Hetty, your have my sympathy. Pain from a frozen shoulder is excruciating. I hope the next hospital appointment is a productive one and that some useful suggestions are made by the consultant so that you have some feasible options going forward. Before mine was solved with Manipulation Under Anaesthetic I found that a heat pack applied to the shoulder at night did feel comforting so helped a bit. That and painkillers! I'd never thought about it being associated with the menopause and it was never mentioned as a potential causal factor as, at the time, I was convinced it was a complication of breast surgery. However, the timing fits in as I was plunged into the menopause by chemo in late 2009/early 2010 and then started taking oestrogen-blocking meds in the Spring of 2010 and had a frozen shoulder in the autumn of 2010. Who knows what the cause is? Maybe several factors? All I know is it that it was very painful and such a relief when it was fixed.
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Hi I had a frozen shoulder about 4 years ago which came on suddenly and I can even remember how I did it I don't think it's anything to do with hrt I wasn't on it at the time I had physio that didn't help in the end I had to have a cortisone injection which did the trick I am on hrt now and have it starting again My other shoulder this time when I put my coat or jacket on and bend my arm back it hurts and I can only raise my arm so far behind my back to I.e scratch I can't raise it any further it will not go on its own and yes it's painful if you move your arm or shoulder in a certain way so I would advise. to to prolong the agony and get it looked at ASAP
Js
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Well I will have a ultra sound for my second bout of frozen shoulder. I have did two painful treatments of acupuncture and cupping and terrible bruising but unbelievable but have a little more movement. I want to try pressure point massage I am sure this will help too. Today was the first day with no pain killers. My usual amount of eight pills and heat bag. I use ice pack through the day. Still not enough movement sure hope I can break this calcium in my shoulder. This is the worst pain ever.
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Oh Hetty, sending you my sympathies. Are you scheduled to see the surgeon again anytime soon? It was only the surgeon who was able to fix mine but my mum did get a lot of relief through acupuncture.
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Thanks Tiger 74. I will see my surgeon again first week in November but he thinks my rotator cuff is also ripped. I have had constant shoulder pain now for over three years now but this right side has been ten times more rotting. Yes I will take surgery as soon as I get a date. No waiting.
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I too have a frozen shoulder, had it since 1987, well that's what the g.p said, sent for physio, pain relief, and it still hurts today.
I don't know what it is anymore feels like clicking and locks sometimes and travels up my neck,
I will not be visiting my gp with that, she will just look at me and say it's part of the menopause.
Sorry not much help.
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I have already posted on this subject but frozen shoulder is where you cannot raise you arms above your head and can only move it so far behind your back but I didn't get too much pain with mine I had physio but no good had to have cortisone that worked. Now I have an impingement in my shoulder which I would say is worse than frozen shoulder as the pain in putting coat on or putting on seat belt just can't do it trying to brush my hair is not good either and when you jerk your arm the pain is so bad it goes up your neck and all the way down your arm it takes your breath away in fact I have to concentrate to take deep,breaths and then You have to wait until the pain goes again I had cortisone but that didn't work now having physio but up to now not made any difference if that doesn't work then it's an operation. I won't be told it's due to hrt as I know men in their 50s who have it , so what with that, having hot flushes, migraines I just want to get on with my life and so anything that makes us women more comfortable through these years then bring it on
Js
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To the post on October 20,2014 about frozen shoulder...it is probably calcification. That is hell and back pain. Had it in left shoulder and now right one and the only relief is acupuncture just to give you a little movement. I can not put a pony tail in my hair let alone color my own hair and putting on shirts is awful painful .Physio is painful and torture and only irritates the shoulder and cortisone never has did anything. I use heat and tramadol medication for severe pain from doctor. Oh it is a grain bag not heating pad not the same heat. Have not slept the a night since January I am up in pain heating the bag and usually four pills to get through the night. Get a shoulder ultrasound to see what is going on.I am waiting for my second surgery. Good luck.
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Best of luck with the ultrasound and surgery, Hetty.
Physio did not help my frozen shoulder (and, in retrospect, probably made it worse) and I didn't bother with cortisone injections as, in the opinion of the orthopaedic surgeon, they were so unlikely to touch the problem.
I'm no medical expert and I still don't understand how menopause (when ovaries become unable to produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone) can cause adhesive capsulitis. Personally I think too many GPs (and patients) blame the menopause for conditions which may be totally unrelated and this is a good example.
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Okay does anyone remember what a thawing shoulder feel like? I know my right shoulder will fix itself because of large calcium deposit but I have hope. It sometimes cracks and pops. No acute pain since Christmas but better have it checked. Any ideas????
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Hi ladies
I had the capsular release op in December but hasn't worked seeing consultant in 2 weeks to see what to do next still doing exercises but just can't get past the raising of my arms and still the same can't dress properly do hair, etc disappointed that it hasn't worked but is the MUA different and how would it work that's if I can have it done when I have already had the operation any advice please keeping me awake at night also with ache in shoulder had frozen shoulder now since July 2014 I know it can take up to 2 years but don't think I will be here in 2 years if I can't move my shoulder it's so debilitating you have to rely on the other arm to do things that your used to doing with my right but you are supposed to keep using the shoulder and not rest it otherwise it will freeze up again well I don't think its unfrozen yet anyway
Js
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Make a list to talk through with the Consultant. Have you been shown physio exercises yet?
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I have been doing regular daily exercies that physio gave me to do since having op but they don't seem to be helping either I know I have to keep trying and doing them but I feel it's not doing any good and give up but I know I can't but it's so frustrating I just can't get my arm to do what I wanted to do it would be really ice to have a good night sleep without the ache In shoulder I tried taking paracetamol,s before going to bed bit during the night the pain comes back I despair.
Js