My shoulder hurts reeeaaal bad.

[Miss Peregrine]

The pain feels like it is deep in my shoulder and radiates down into my arm. It hurts to move my arm away from my body and reaching for things-- I have gasped a few times.

 

What can I do? Rest it?:lol:

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Sounds like bursitis. Bursitis is an inflamation of the bursa, the sack around the joint. I have had it for years.

 

If you're not opposed to using medication, start taking an anti-inflammatory dose of ibuprophen (600mg 4X a day, or 800mg 3X a day). It will reduce the inflammation, and help it heal. You will need to take it for 3 days. If you don't want to take ibuprophen, do whatever you usually do to help with inflammation.

 

Ice will help with the inflammation. Better yet, alternate hot and cold. This can help by increasing the circulation in the area, helping with the inflammation.

 

My shoulders flare up if I sleep on them wrong. For me, the worst position is to sleep on the bad side with my hand under my ear, or under the pillow. It is especially bad if I'm on a too-soft bed, or on a too-flat pillow, because my shoulder gets squished. The best position for me would be on my back, but I have trouble sleeping that way. Second best is sleeping on the non-hurting shoulder, but this isn't always comfortable. As a side sleeper, I do pretty well on my side with my hand crossing over to the opposite shoulder. I also need a firm bed and a firm pillow, so that my shoulder isn't being squished in an unnatural position. This may not be the best position for you.

 

I've known other people (even here on the board) who need a different position. You will need to try different things to figure out what works for you.

 

Of course, these ideas are based solely on my own experience. I'm not a doctor. You might want to get your shoulder checked out by a doctor.

[AuntieM]

See a doctor for a real diagnosis, but I agree that it sounds like bursitis/tendonitis. Try ice packs and an anti-inflammatory like ibufrofin.

 

Have you been lifting or pulling on anything heavy? The back lift gate of my van did me in, I had to learn the right muscles to engage to prevent a flare up from pulling it down.

[Ellie]

Mine was a rotator cuff issue. :-/

 

I'd see a chiropractor, preferably one that also does physical therapy. An MD will offer pain meds, which won't cure the problem. Of course, he might prescribe physical therapy, which could help immensely.

[Miss Peregrine]

Thanks to all. I have ibuprofen and will try some. I dont know why I didn't think of the chiro! I would rather go there than an MD.

 

Suzanne, you look just like my friend, Nadia!

[Marylou]

I have this condition. too, in my left shoulder, for about a year now. So very painful. Thank you, Suzanne, for the tips. I take generic brand Aleve, which helps a lot.

 

Hope you feel better real soon.

[lollie010]

It could be so many things that I would check it out if it continues. I suffered for months with similar symptoms. I went to an an orthopaedic specialist thinking it was a ratator cuff injury and to my surprise the problem was originating in my neck. I did not have neck pain at all, but after 3-4 weeks of physical therapy (on my neck) my shoulder was fine.

 

Best to get it checked out.

[Marylou]

It could be so many things that I would check it out if it continues. I suffered for months with similar symptoms. I went to an an orthopaedic specialist thinking it was a ratator cuff injury and to my surprise the problem was originating in my neck. I did not have neck pain at all, but after 3-4 weeks of physical therapy (on my neck) my shoulder was fine.

 

Best to get it checked out.

 

Did the specialist take x-rays. How did they figure it a neck problem?

[lollie010]

I had an MRI. I never would have thought that a neck issue could cause so much pain in my shoulder and arm. The pain was so bad, I could not lift my children, push a grocery cart, raise my arm to get something off of a shelf, or drive. I put off going to the doctor because I thought for sure I would have to have shoulder surgery. I did not think physical therapy could possible help with my level of pain, but a few sessions of cervical traction and I was good to go.

[Tammyla]

:grouphug:

 

Hope it feels better soon. My sister is practically in love with her chiropractor.;)

[MyThreeSons]

I had this a couple of years ago. I got a little relief from some intense masage therapy, but what really helped was immobilization most of the day. For me, that meant buying and using a sling that strapped my arm to my body so that I couldn't use it, or move it accidentally while I slept.

 

It is very important, however, to do some range of motion exercises several times a day so that the shoulder doesn't become frozen. To do this, bend forward at your waist, and allow the arm to hang freely. Then rotate the arm slowly so your hand makes a big circle parallel to the floor. Do a few rotations both clockwise and counterclockwise. This didn't hurt at all.