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