KungFuPanda Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 DH is having pain because of bursitis? Tendonitis? Rotator cuff? He's having so much pain he can't sleep well at night. Last summer, he just decided to learn to play the fiddle. For him this means an obsessive number of hours poured in over the course of 8-9 months. He sounds amazing for someone who didn't play a year ago BUT since he's never had a lesson I'm SURE he's holding it wrong and has some sort of repetitive stress injury. To further complicate the matter, his mother and brother have rotator cuff issues, so there may be a genetic predisposition. DH is stubbornly doctor adverse. I'd like to spare him the appointment with the general practitioner and just make an appointment with the person they'd send us to anyway. We CAN self-refer with our insurance. My question is, WHO do we call? He's 'sure' it's not muscle related, but some sort of nerve or tendon thing. Help me get this stubborn man fixed. He's grouchy when he's in pain and I don't want to have to put him out of his misery myself :-/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I'd call the PT. That's where the PCP refers people to first around here anyway, only referring for surgery after months and months of PT has failed. I also Googled rotator cuff injuries and found lots of websites with the exercises, diagnosis guides, etc (primarily by baseball guys) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I'd call a PT. There are PTs that have special knowledge and experience with repetitive injuries associated with music. Some come into our music school every year and do presentations on prevention. Does he have a teacher or a group he jams with? He/she/they may have a recommendation? Or you can google some keywords for your area too related to musician repetitive injury? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 If you can arrange an evaluation by a trained violinist who can advise him on proper bowing technique and holding of the instrument, this would be important. Orthopedist to evaluate the injury. Physical therapy if needed for healing. Violinist evaluation to prevent recurrence. All needed. (I am a violinist/violist.) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 first - hie him to a good instructor to correct his position. yeah - it can make a big difference. chiro who does extremities, PT, ortho to check the rotator cuff I had HORRIBLE tendonitis in my shoulder. pain from the bottom of my shoulder blade to my wrist. the PT had never seen such a bad case. six weeks of PT helped - but certainly didn't heal. that was before I ever went to a chiro - and what I know now, the chiro would have been much faster because my collar bone/shoulder left me open to the stress injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 physio but if he won't go, see if you can get him to try the ball rolling exercise here: http://www.mikereinold.com/2013/10/self-myofascial-release-teres-major.htmlhis youtube channel has a bunch more videos on shoulder assessment and treatment if your dh would like to self dx and treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I injured my rotator cuff doing cart wheels. I went straight to an orthopaedic surgeon that specializes in sports medicine. Was dosed with a lovely steroid shot and given exercises to build up my strength. I feel much better currently. Eta: only reason I went to this dr was because DH just had shoulder surgery and we really liked his surgeon. He was thorough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Orthopaedic surgeon. Go to a shoulder specialist though. Many will say oh I treat everything, but see if you can get recs for a good shoulder guy. (Or gal.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 A PT. He may have to see a doctor first, to get the prescription (in order for insurance to cover it). He really needs to address this now, before it gets worse. I had a shoulder issue once so badly, I couldn't lift up my arm to put my shirts on anymore! A PT was the beginning of healing. (And now it is perfect. :)) I would also suggest he see a well-respected violinist who can show him how to hold/play his violin properly. My daughter developed carpel tunnel partially by holding her guitar incorrectly. Learning how to hold it correctly made a huge difference. Be prepared for the change (in pain level) to happen slowly -- as in a year or more. He may also want to meet with a massage therapist from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted May 23, 2015 Author Share Posted May 23, 2015 Thanks everyone. I've got the number for a good, local orthopedist. I'm pretty sure I can bully him into going to an appt that's just four miles from the house. Wish me luck. I'll update if there is any interesting controversy getting him there ;-) 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 What kind of pain is it and where? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted May 23, 2015 Author Share Posted May 23, 2015 What kind of pain is it and where? It's the worst in the shoulder, but radiates down the arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I don't if this article would be helpful. I don't know if it would even work. I would have trouble playing without a chin rest, but other people swear by it: http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/how-to-play-the-violin-without-a-chin-rest/ Or, he might need a bigger shoulder rest. Or a smaller one. A good teacher would hopefully be able to spot the problem and the solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 So, DH went to his appt. Before they could prescribe muscle relaxers they had to check his blood pressure. 240/180. !!! My husband almost exploded and he's almost completely asymptomatic, so he didn't realize it. Any headaches he had, he attributed to shoulder pain and lack of sleep(which turned out to originate in the neck, but wasn't his biggest problem today). He spent the day in the ER getting tests and pumped full of everything to bring it down to a 'manageable' 180/something. They could find no damage, but sheesh this is nuts. I'm wired AND exhausted. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 :grouphug: Wow, I'm glad he found out before he WAS symptomatic! Thank goodness it was caught before there was damage. So, DH went to his appt. Before they could prescribe muscle relaxers they had to check his blood pressure. 240/180. !!!My husband almost exploded and he's almost completely asymptomatic, so he didn't realize it. Any headaches he had, he attributed to shoulder pain and lack of sleep(which turned out to originate in the neck, but wasn't his biggest problem today). He spent the day in the ER getting tests and pumped full of everything to bring it down to a 'manageable' 180/something. They could find no damage, but sheesh this is nuts. I'm wired AND exhausted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 :grouphug: Wow, I'm glad he found out before he WAS symptomatic! Thank goodness it was caught before there was damage. Thanks. We're very relieved and very lucky. I'm amazed someone can just walk around with those numbers. It's just not right. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Yikes! (Hugs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Yowza! I'm so glad you got him to go in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Thank goodness he went in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 He's grouchy when he's in pain and I don't want to have to put him out of his misery myself :-/ Sorry to hear your husband is in pain. But, this^^^^ was funny. Good luck dealing with your stubborn hubby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I'm so glad he went in for the shoulder and found out about the bp. His shoulder could have saved his life! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 So, DH went to his appt. Before they could prescribe muscle relaxers they had to check his blood pressure. 240/180. !!! My husband almost exploded and he's almost completely asymptomatic, so he didn't realize it. Any headaches he had, he attributed to shoulder pain and lack of sleep(which turned out to originate in the neck, but wasn't his biggest problem today). He spent the day in the ER getting tests and pumped full of everything to bring it down to a 'manageable' 180/something. They could find no damage, but sheesh this is nuts. I'm wired AND exhausted. Holy crap! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnE-girl Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Wow! What is that statistic about married men living longer because their wives make them go to the doctor? Or something like that :-). I hope he's feeling better! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 So, DH went to his appt. Before they could prescribe muscle relaxers they had to check his blood pressure. 240/180. !!! My husband almost exploded and he's almost completely asymptomatic, so he didn't realize it. Any headaches he had, he attributed to shoulder pain and lack of sleep(which turned out to originate in the neck, but wasn't his biggest problem today). He spent the day in the ER getting tests and pumped full of everything to bring it down to a 'manageable' 180/something. They could find no damage, but sheesh this is nuts. I'm wired AND exhausted. I'm glad they caught it. They call high blood pressure the silent killer. I'd be worried about how long this went on and how much damage has been done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteryJen Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I wonder if you might invest in a blood pressure cuff and take it a couple of times a day for awhile Definitely do this. It may take a while to find the right dosage or combo of medicines. It took me about 3 months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 so glad they caught it. It is crazy that he was walking around with those numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aelwydd Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I'm glad they caught it. They call high blood pressure the silent killer. I'd be worried about how long this went on and how much damage has been done. Yup. My dh was dx'd almost the same way, headaches, feeling tired, etc. His bp was 260/180. That was 10 years ago. Since then, he has changed his diet (vegetarian, except for some fish), exercise, and medication. He no longer works, but is excellent SAHD. KungFu, get his kidneys checked. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 He's getting a BP cuff today and is supposed to check twice daily until it's under control. He was 240/180ish! In the ER they checked his heart, kidneys, and brain for damage, but there was none. He's also getting new sneakers today because his running excuse for not going to the gym is that he needs new shoes. Every time we go by a shoe store I try to coax him in, but he never 'feels like it right now.' He needs to loose about 40 lbs, but he's a man so if he quits soda and adds in some walks it'll melt off. I may resort to bringing several pairs of shoes home and returning what doesn't fit. Good grief. This IS why married men live longer, isn't it? 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 That's so scary! I hope it gets under control easily. For your sake. ;) Amazon has free ship/returns on many shoes. Good deals too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 eeeek! so glad you made him go in finally & they caught it! that really WAS a dramatic twist. Scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Holy crap! Lizzie took the words right out of my mouth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I may resort to bringing several pairs of shoes home and returning what doesn't fit. this is what i do. works like a charm. he gets what he needs without having to go shopping. he'll buy good shoes at thrift stores, too, so sometimes that works. hope the medication adjustment works well and quickly! ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 He's getting a BP cuff today and is supposed to check twice daily until it's under control. He was 240/180ish! In the ER they checked his heart, kidneys, and brain for damage, but there was none. He's also getting new sneakers today because his running excuse for not going to the gym is that he needs new shoes. Every time we go by a shoe store I try to coax him in, but he never 'feels like it right now.' He needs to loose about 40 lbs, but he's a man so if he quits soda and adds in some walks it'll melt off. I may resort to bringing several pairs of shoes home and returning what doesn't fit. Good grief. This IS why married men live longer, isn't it? Thank goodness there is no damage. Did they do an MRA of his brain to check for aneurysms? If they didn't do an MRA, insist on one. High blood pressure can cause aneurysms, and they don't always show up on other tests and they don't cause symptoms until there is already a big problem, so that's why I wanted to mention it. My brother died of a blood pressure-related brain aneurysm, and his heart and other organs were perfectly normal. He didn't have any symptoms until the day before the aneurysm burst. I hate to post this because I don't want to scare you, but I can't even tell you how many times I have wished my brother would have taken his very high blood pressure more seriously and that he would have known about the aneurysm in advance so he could have done something about it before it was too late. The MRA is no big deal at all. Even though I have very low blood pressure, I still go for an MRA every five years as a precaution, and it's just a simple scan -- no dyes are injected or anything. OK, I'll get off my soapbox now. Sorry if I sound like a paranoid lunatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Holy cow. Was the shoulder pain from the blood pressure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 He's getting a BP cuff today and is supposed to check twice daily until it's under control. He was 240/180ish! In the ER they checked his heart, kidneys, and brain for damage, but there was none. He's also getting new sneakers today because his running excuse for not going to the gym is that he needs new shoes. Every time we go by a shoe store I try to coax him in, but he never 'feels like it right now.' He needs to loose about 40 lbs, but he's a man so if he quits soda and adds in some walks it'll melt off. I may resort to bringing several pairs of shoes home and returning what doesn't fit. Good grief. This IS why married men live longer, isn't it? Throw in a nice new pack of socks with those shoes. It seems to help the not right now/grumpy ones in a better mood while trying the dang shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Thank goodness there is no damage. Did they do an MRA of his brain to check for aneurysms? If they didn't do an MRA, insist on one. High blood pressure can cause aneurysms, and they don't always show up on other tests and they don't cause symptoms until there is already a big problem, so that's why I wanted to mention it. My brother died of a blood pressure-related brain aneurysm, and his heart and other organs were perfectly normal. He didn't have any symptoms until the day before the aneurysm burst. I hate to post this because I don't want to scare you, but I can't even tell you how many times I have wished my brother would have taken his very high blood pressure more seriously and that he would have known about the aneurysm in advance so he could have done something about it before it was too late. The MRA is no big deal at all. Even though I have very low blood pressure, I still go for an MRA every five years as a precaution, and it's just a simple scan -- no dyes are injected or anything. OK, I'll get off my soapbox now. Sorry if I sound like a paranoid lunatic. They find some sort of brain scan looking for evidence of stroke, but I don't know what kind it was. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 They find some sort of brain scan looking for evidence of stroke, but I don't know what kind it was. You might want to check and find out for sure. I don't mean to harp on this but my brother seemed so healthy... until he wasn't. I know it's stupid, but because I know he would probably still be alive today if he would have taken better care of his health, I feel like I have to warn everyone else so nothing bad will happen to them. Sorry to be a nuisance. I'll shut up now! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Glad he went in and you found out about the BP! For the shoulder, if he gets a diagnosis and you are able to find a really good massage therapist who does deep tissue massage you may want to look at that route. I had a pinch nerve with pain radiating down my left arm, numbness, couldn't type at work. The physical therapist that I was referred to seemed like she didn't know what was going on. I didn't feel very confident, so I saw my dd's friend who is a massage therapist. She said "I am sure we can fix this in around 5 weeks." I went once a week for 5 weeks and the difference is amazing! I now do arm exercises and stretches to strengthen it but she basically fixed the pain and numbness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 Oh yeah, the shoulder . . . They actually pinpointed the problem as starting in the neck. He has pt twice weekly for I don't know how long. The shoulder thing got bumped in priority, but he now has muscle relaxers to help with the pain. At 48 he now owns his first "SMITWITFUS." That's how my son read it the first time he saw a day-of-the-week pill holder when he was seven, so we call it a smitwitfus at my house. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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