Shoulder saga
Oct. 7th, 2015 08:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kayreWhen we helped Laura move (August 23-24) I was actually surprised that I wasn't particularly sore from all the lifting, even two or three days later. But a week later it was a different story-- I had horribly knotted-up muscles in my left shoulder, and just a hint of soreness in my left upper arm. It seemed so obviously muscular that I went to a massage therapist, and she did a marvelous job of undoing the knots.
The upper arm pain got worse, though, so I saw a doctor early in September. He diagnosed strained muscles in the upper arm, suggested all the usual stuff (rest, gentle movement and stretching, heat/cold) plus a muscle relaxant, stronger anti-inflammatory, and pain meds. Insurance balked about the anti-inflammatory so I started on the muscle relaxant, and was a zombie within days, despite taking only one dose per night. So I quit that, and started the anti-inflammatory when insurance gave in. It took me 10 days to figure out that it was also giving me nasty side effects, so I quit it and went back to high-dose ibuprofen.
When we moved I was very careful not to lift anything, and in fact once I told one of the movers about my strained muscle he spread the word and they hardly let me touch anything. I've left the heavy lifting to the hubby, and unpacked boxes where they sit, mostly right handed-- and my arm/shoulder still hurt, maybe even worse. So, doctor again yesterday; this time my own GP rather than first available appointment.
Her thoughts: probably a torn rotator cuff, maybe a pinched nerve as well, or something else. Next steps: MRI and an orthopedist. I'm trying not to think about possible surgery (before Advent/Christmas???); first treatment would likely be cortisone shots and maybe PT. Really frustrating thing is still being in significant pain, and knowing it likely won't get any better for a while.
The upper arm pain got worse, though, so I saw a doctor early in September. He diagnosed strained muscles in the upper arm, suggested all the usual stuff (rest, gentle movement and stretching, heat/cold) plus a muscle relaxant, stronger anti-inflammatory, and pain meds. Insurance balked about the anti-inflammatory so I started on the muscle relaxant, and was a zombie within days, despite taking only one dose per night. So I quit that, and started the anti-inflammatory when insurance gave in. It took me 10 days to figure out that it was also giving me nasty side effects, so I quit it and went back to high-dose ibuprofen.
When we moved I was very careful not to lift anything, and in fact once I told one of the movers about my strained muscle he spread the word and they hardly let me touch anything. I've left the heavy lifting to the hubby, and unpacked boxes where they sit, mostly right handed-- and my arm/shoulder still hurt, maybe even worse. So, doctor again yesterday; this time my own GP rather than first available appointment.
Her thoughts: probably a torn rotator cuff, maybe a pinched nerve as well, or something else. Next steps: MRI and an orthopedist. I'm trying not to think about possible surgery (before Advent/Christmas???); first treatment would likely be cortisone shots and maybe PT. Really frustrating thing is still being in significant pain, and knowing it likely won't get any better for a while.
no subject
Date: 2015-10-07 02:11 pm (UTC)This all sounds decidedly not fun; so sorry...
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Date: 2015-10-07 02:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-07 07:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-09 12:24 am (UTC)