NSBR: Anyone ever had frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)?

[Donna Rafferty]

I have had extreme shoulder/arm pain and stiffness now for 7 weeks. It's such a bummer. It's my right arm so I am pretty limited in how much I can do (right handed) especially on the computer for any length of time. And from what I have read this can take a year or more to re-gain motion.

Today the orthopedic doctor gave me a cortisone shot and told me to begin exercises, and I go back to see him in a week. The pain meds just make me nauseous so I am just taking motrin or tylenol.

So I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this and how long it took to recover - or at least a reduction in the pain.

Thanks

PS this is also why I have only been posting sporadically - typing is hard and my arm gets very tired.

[robinforman]

My mom had this- it was quite painful for a long time, and still bothers her during changes in weather. She found that keeping the shoulder warm helped her a lot, so she wore a lot of cardigans, etc, that kept that area warm.

[eilana]

I had it a several years ago. I'm left handed and it was my left shoulder. I didn't have extreme pain, just very uncomfortable. I did try a cortisone shot but that didn't help at all. Mine lasted for about nine months. I was glad it didn't last as long as the orthopedist said it could (a year). I'm also glad it has never come back (knock on wood). I don't remember doing any exercises - just taking an advil once in a while. Hope yours gets better soon. It's no fun. I know.

[Sunni]

Most chiropractors can help this. The chiro I worked for at the time was a little too "rough" in his technique to suit me so I sought out a different chiropractor who used different methods. He used gentle stretching, ultrasound and acupuncture. He recommended against exercise but did have me do some stretching. In about a month things were back to normal and I could reach behind my back again and was no longer in pain at night if I slept on that shoulder. Hope you find someone who can help because the longer it exists, the harder it is to correct because of the adhesions that form in there.

[Donna Rafferty]

Thank you ladies for all the stories and advice - From what I read on the internet this could last for up to two years!

I was in agony last night after the novocaine in the shot wore off, but today the cortisone must be helping cause it feels a tiny bit better. I have also been reaching and stretching as much as possible, and while the stretching hurts, it feels better at the overall resting position. I switched from Motrin to Aleeve which also seems to control the pain a little better. I feel SO bad for anyone else who has been thru this!

I hope I am able to to some scrapping soon - I miss my hobby!

[kryss]

I am having the same problem with my right arm...been having pain and numbness since august! Hurts more at night than anything, but you should see me making a pot of coffee...my hand shakes so bad while I'm trying to pour the water in! lol. Hopefully it will get better soon! I have a chiropractor friend...I may have to go and visit him!