Saturday, November 15, 2014

Frozen....

...shoulder, that is.

I know you maybe thought I was going to talk about the CRAZY frigid weather that has hit the south, but I am trying to ignore that.

No, what I'd like to share today is what I have learned about a frozen shoulder....and if I can help even  one person out there, then I will be so happy.

My story:

I started having pain in my shoulder in August.  It first started with sharp pain when closing my car door and other movements.  I also noticed that it was very painful in that shoulder when I tried to unsnap my bra.  I ignored it for a while and then I did some research and decided I might have bicep tendonitis...so I started using some Essential Oils that help with inflammation and it seemed I was getting some relief. 

During this time, my husband and I were driving back and forth to his mother's to take care of her and  so I put off going to the doctor....bad choice.

When I finally made it to a doctor, I could no longer unsnap my bra....too painful and I was not able to use that arm for many daily functions without horrible pain.

The doctor diagnosed me with rotator cuff tendonitis and injected my shoulder.  The pain got worse before it started getting better, but it did start getting better so I thought I was on the road to recovery......however, 4 weeks after the injection my shoulder started getting worse again.

After more research and tests, the conclusion is that I have a frozen shoulder.

The good news is that you can cure a frozen shoulder through exercise and stretching.  The bad news is that is it extremely painful and takes weeks maybe months.  Seriously, the first week the exercises made me cry every.single.time.

One thing that is helping the pain is my YoungLiving Deep Relief!!  Oh my word, I am so thankful for that oil blend.

Here are some facts about frozen shoulder...

*usually happens to people over 40
*a majority of those people are women
*women in menopause are more likely to get a frozen shoulder
*they don't exactly know what causes a frozen shoulder

So, if you fit that category and/or are experiencing shoulder pain, PLEASE don't wait as long as I did to go to the doctor and get it checked.  The biggest clue of a frozen shoulder is pain when putting your arm behind your back (like unsnapping your bra) and loss of mobility.

When caught early, it can be healed in a couple of weeks with exercise and therapy.

And even when not caught early....it can be healed with exercise and therapy....it just takes longer and is more painful.  And it can get to the point where you have to be put under anesthesia and they manipulate it and break up the adhesions.....not what I want in my future!

So...I am faithfully doing my exercises and I am seeing some progress...slow and painful but definitely progress.

Learn from me....don't wait.






7 comments:

The Bug said...

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago - but I ended up needing surgery because I had a tear. And you're right - it's very painful! I was a wimp & now I still don't have full mobility in that shoulder - but at least it mostly doesn't hurt anymore!

Sara@iSass said...

I used to complain about the silliest things in regards to my body in my teens and twenties. My thirties I just didn't gIve much thought because I was busy raising my babies. Then 40 hit. Like a gong! I would welcome a zit compared to other stuff. The thought of having foot surgery again...I'm trying to live in denial. (Bunions) But surgery is in my future.
I hope your shoulder heals quickly!

Mari said...

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. A friend of mine also went through this and ended up having surgery. Glad you are on the road to recovery!

Anonymous said...

So sorry you've been dealing with this. I'd say that menopause has really tried to come against you in every way possible. You will need to start a menopause ministry! haha. Seriously, I hope you are better FAST. Saying a prayer for you right now.

Lynne said...

I heard of it, but not to the detail you provided and thank you for sharing. I was at a chiro appointment and his tech was concerned about my shoulder. Rut roh! Good info! thank you for sharing!

Cathy said...

Oh Sara, that sounds awful. Hope you are healed completely very soon.

Just A Southern Girl said...

Pobrecita! Will be praying for relief from the pain -- especially as you exercise it. Ouch! I'd never heard of this before, so thanks for passing along the information! Now I'll know what to do if it ever happens to me or anyone I know.