Hi Teri:
Some advice based on my experience:
!. Have the surgery. The pain will eventually get unbearable.
2. If you have no heart/kidney problems, ask your doc to put you on Celebrex 200mg. a day to start, up to 400 mg. if needed, and trash the ibuprofen/tylenol. I can't imagine life without it the last 25 years! I've also had finger joints replaced and have arthritis in my back, wrists and fingers. Not good for a guitar player!
3. Ask about Reclast rather than Fosamax, Fosamax is really hard on your stomach, especially taken with ibuprofen. Additionally, if it's causing bone loss it's doing exactly the opposite of it's purpose!
4. Ask your doc about Voltaren emugel gel 2.3grm. I use it on my hands/fingers. You can only get it in that strength from Amazon through Germany or Canada.
PS- If your rotator cuff is indeed intact, you might be a candidate for a conventional shoulder replacement rather than a reverse. Ask.
Good luck,
hamilton50