Shoulder Replacement: Still having pain

@martydav, Since you mentioned it has only been a little over a month since your surgery (shoulder replacement?), I was wondering if the surgeon sent you home with any instructions? If not, you might find the following helpful - Shoulder Replacement: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery (PDF): http://rebalancemd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Shoulder-Replacement-Recovery-Guide.pdf.

@artscaping may have some suggestions for helping with the pain without using opioids.

I found many places on you tube with information and demonstrations related to shoulder replacement surgery recovery. John's link is also a valuable resource.

Suggestions

@martydav - Here are a few YouTube videos...

- Top ten tips for post-shoulder surgery: life after shoulder surgery - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAlQZtOOnqA
- Tips after shoulder surgery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nWQqb9thqo
- Post-op shoulder surgery-Sleeping with a sling! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nWQqb9thqo
- Sleeping Positions after shoulder surgery or injury - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js6VmeECE0A

Good afternoon @martydav Welcome to Connect from someone who has had a few shoulder surgeries and an elbow with several fractures as the result of a fall down the mountain. I ended up having a reverse shoulder replacement on my dominant shoulder because the shoulder bone came out of the socket and the rotator cuff was destroyed....meaning that it would not support a shoulder replacement that was dependent on a healthy rotator cuff.

You also mention that pain meds tear up your stomach. I have been down that path also and had to make a U-turn because my intolerance was a major factor in the issues surrounding my recovery from the transplant surgery.

And now...here is the surprise. I have two nurse friends who watched me struggle. They asked, "what do you do in the middle of the night when the pain keeps you awake?. I responded.....”I just sit on the edge of the bed and cry.”

Immediately, I was introduced to medical cannabis. Slowly, with their guidance, and knowledge, folks in the dispensaries helped me make choices about more than just freedom from pain. That was several years ago and I am still walking the same pain relief path. The options have increased and the quality of the products has risen consistently. If you are interested in more information about managing your pain in this manner, please just reply with a positive message and I will do whatever I can to help you.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

The Shoulder Replacement: A Guide to Recovery After Surgery is an excellent article. Most of the information provided was also provided to me by my surgeon. I just wish I could have read this prior to my surgery.
Carol

Thank you !

Yes. Six weeks from surgery. I had three broken
Places on my dominant right arm. Plates and screws
Were put in elbow , wrist to heal on it’s own,
Total reverse on shoulder. Therapy is brutal and
The pain never stops .

Good morning @martydav, I can hear the sighs and even the sobs in your messages to us. If I were to summarize where you are....it is anxious and maybe fearful. You want better control of your pain. And remember you have a lot going on with the elbow and wrist as well as a reverse shoulder replacement.

And I can hear your disappointment when temporary treatments like ice don't meet your expectations. Ice comes in different ways. Do you have a home care aide who helps you with devices and bandages? There are special ice "harnesses" that fit around your entire shoulder back and front. If you have an ice machine or can get one on loan from your PT that helps. Any time you feel you need release just put it on and relax. I actually put frozen soda bottles in the icebox because they don't melt as fast as the ice cubes.

The bottom line for greater comfort during my recovery was and still is medical cannabis. Last spring I helped load all the fallen tree brush in the pickups. Oh did I pay a price for that! Another time I jumped ahead of schedule and doubled my weight for the arm lifts. My new shoulder didn't like that either. Our bodies try to carry on an accurate conversation with us.......we just need to listen.

You say therapy is brutal. It sure can be. Your therapist can use ice and stimulation at the beginning of a PT session. That always made it easier to do the more strenuous exercises for me. Later, I rode the stationary bicycle to make sure my legs stayed strong. There is a "Mindfulness" message that I learned to say ........Right now, this is the way it is.........

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Thank you for your advice. Going to therapy
Three times a week. Heating pad and ice are being
Used, but the PT remains almost unbearable.
Was thinking about Cannabis.
What should I use ?
Appreciate you very much for responding.