CHRONIC SHOULDER /ARM PAIN

Have you been to an orthopedic doctor? Mine has helped me tremendously.

My onset of left frozen shoulder pain was 26 years ago and then it went to the right shoulder 2 years later. I had to have surgery for both....2 years apart. Then 3 months of PT for each. I was so glad I had the surgery. I had trouble sleeping and I had lost my range of motion before the surgery. I stayed in pain and it hurt to move. Cortisone injections did not help, PT & chiropractic care didn't either. The shoulder pain caused referred pain down both arms.

4 years ago, I developed osteoarthritis in both shoulders. It is painful. I use heat & Voltaren gel. I get cortisone injections in both shoulders which gives me great relief. It lasts for about 12 weeks.

I am praying for you to get relief. I empathize. Shoulder pain affects your neck and can cause headaches. God Bless You. Hugs & Prayers.....

I had my shoulder done a few years ago and the doctor didn't want to perform surgery because my left shoulder films, "didn't look bad", I told him I think this was a birth defect and the pain was hell. I appealed to him and before surgery he sent me for a test that numbed the side in stages. There had to be a doctor present when they put the scope in and explored the shoulder. Turns out the top image still looked good, but the image beyond that showed a serious malformation of the under part of the shoulder socket. Had the operation and it was like a miracle, when healed could lift my arm straight up, before I could only raise it 4-6 inches. Hang in there!

Yes, I had chronic shoulder pain & my shoulder blades hurt me a lot. After many many years a physical therapist said"I don't think it's your houlders. I think it is your neck." I had 2 cervical discs removed July 30th, I am still having pain but not in the shoulders. So relieved! Hang in there.

Hey there @antiquetx , so sorry to hear of your suffering. Have any of your Dr's considered CRPS? I've been dealing with it for years and your situation sounds all too similar, unfortunately. Best wishes to you!

@antiquetx I looked back at your profile, and it looks like both shoulders have been replaced, but you still have pain. How did the PT go after each surgery?

When I read about how long this has been going on, that "It moves around on a day to day basis... " and you also have fibromyalgia, you meet the definition of chronic pain. Has anyone ever suggested a "Pain Rehabilitation Program" to you? This is not a pain doctor who prescribes opioids...it is a way to get your life back. There are many in-patient and outpatient programs available around the country.

Here is a brief overview of the Pain Rehabilitation Center 3-week residential program at Mayo clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691
I attended a different type of Pain Rehab - as an outpatient in my Clinic System, where I worked with a Pain Management Specialist, a Psychologist, a Physical Therapist and a Pharmacist to "unlearn" pain behaviors and focus on what I can do, use tools like meditation and self-hypnosis to improve my sleep and outlook, learned to manage my activities to avoid "crashes", and with the PT to release many tight muscles and regain strength. After 4 years, I still have periodic check-ins with them, and work with the PT every two weeks to manage pain "hot spots" and adjust my stretching and exercises as my several ailments ebb and flow. I learned that my ongoing health and well-being are 90% in my hands, and 10% in the hands of medical professionals. And that I will always have pain - how I choose to deal with it is up to me.

Has a Pian Rehabilitation program been recommended to you?
Do you do ongoing exercises and PT to help the movement in your shoulders and arms?

@antiquetx you need to see a physical therapist which is where the docs should have sent you in the beginning. A good evaluation and therapy program for your neck and upper body will do you wonders. In some states you can go to the therapist first and then obtain a referral from your doc afterwards.