Thanks for the tip...I will ask my PM doctor if he'll prescribe the 5% patches...Especially as winter approaches here in NY, I will be using them daily.

Insurance won't cover a cortisone injection more than every 3 months and most doctors won't give them any more often then that, and most will only do about 3 total in any joint, but my PM doctor believes with shoulders you should have the injections until they no longer work, as "they" don't have as good a success rate with shoulders as they do with, say hips and knees.
Plus, I had rotator cuff repair on the other shoulder 7 years ago, and that was a 2 years healing process, that I remember all too well, and 2, 15 year old failed hip resurfacings, I'm in no hurry for surgury....BUT I am to the point I am going to have to look for a surgeon soon. I really have to baby this dominant shoulder. No swinging a hammer, or pull start lawn mowers, etc. Usually the injection lasts 1-2 months now, so I do suffer...They use to last sometimes 6-7 months, so my days are numbered.