Sort of OT: Frozen shoulder, anyone?

Pitanga....I totally agree!  My stiffness occurred gradually with the introduction of the Lupron injections that depleted my estrogen...  I now know the meaning of patience and hard work.  I have to be patient when I become acutely symptomatic, and I have to work hard at flexing my muscles before and after episodes so that when I do have a setback, it is more often than not, temporary.  The bottom line for all of us is that we need the right pain management during acute episodes so it's not THAT debilitating...AND we have to tweak our meds....I'm glad you found a protocol that works for you.  I have friends who have had trigger finger and I know it's no picnic either!

Pitanga...When I had my 6 month check up recently at my internist, he asked how I was feeling.  I told him, my only complaint was the stiffness...besides my weak, achy shoulders.  He then went through a whole explanation about how the estrogen depletion was causing the stiffness.  He said, biologically, I probably aged 5 years from the ovarian supression.  When I started the Lupron and yes, Tamoxifen, he said, "I think you will beat the cancer.  However, I'm more concerned with what the treatment is going to do to the rest of your body."  My father died young of a heart attack, so heart disease is a MAJOR risk factor.  He is monitoring me closely for signs of risks for heart disease.  Thankfully, after two years of therapy, I have no risk factors for heart disease, except for the menopause. Women's risk of heart attack and stroke goes up following menopause. He told me that I am going to be a difficult case for him if my "numbers" continue to stay in the normal range.  I asked him why I would be "difficult."  He said, if I had additional risk factors, like controlled hypertension, obesity, diabetes or elevated cholesterol, then it would be an easy decision for him to put me on a statin.  That's also one of the reasons why I walk a minimum of three miles each day. Exercise plays an important roll in keeping the stiffness at bay AND reduces my cardiac risk.  I guess, emotionally speaking, the breast cancer diagnosis was never such a big deal for me, because I always thought, and still think, as does my internist, the risk of heart attack has always been of greater concern. I am consumed with following the data on women and heart attacks. If you think the data on cancer screening is murky and controversial...you should read, if you haven't already, the data on women and statins. Yikes!

I had the same thing, first with my left shoulder. I went to have my should manipulated, I had  15 laser treatments that were unsucessful. I finally had an MRI and went to a Orthopedic Surgeon, and had surgery. I had a large bone spur removed and now my shoulder is 100% now after surgery and PT.

Then... shortly after I was healed from my shoulder surgery, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through a 2 breast sparing surgeries that were unsucessful, a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. After all the breast cancer treatments, chemo, surgergies etc... my right shoulder froze! I went back to the Orthopedic doctor and I was back in surgery. I had a bone spur on the right side! After another surgery, I am doing great! No more shoulder problems. I know how painful it is. I feel for you. I'm back at the gym and I have no more pain. I have my life back! Good luck to you. Go to a good doctor and get an MRI and do what you need to do to get it taken care of.

dja625

IDC stage 1a  Er- Pr- Her2neu 3+ High Grade 3 no lymph node involvement

I had frozen shoulder 2 yrs post radiation. It was horrid. I tried acupuncture which made it worse. I ended up doing PT first at a facility and then at home on my own with the exercises I learned in PT. What I found that really helped was cross country skiing. I did it on fairly level golf course trails and I think that repetitive motion finally broke up the scar tissue and freed up my arm. It was almost overnight after a couple of weeks of skiing for half to a full hour depending on how I felt. Woke up with full range of motion and no pain.

Im a massage therapist and i had frozen shoulder.  It took about a year to resolve.  A long year.  I went to 2 different PTs.  In the end I found out the exercises and did them on my own.  It resolved very quickly after that.  I had a small hand weight that I would swing when I walked.  Lying on the floor with a broom stick moving it over my head.  Taking your hand and crawling up a wall.  Using the edge of a wall and pressing the front of my shoulder against it.  Stretching it while under the water in a hot tub.  All of these every day, 2 or 3x day.  Very very painful experience, esp at night.  

wow just found this thread! i just had a full body bone scan! Waiting to hear from my MO...I am thinking my problem is frozen shoulder after reading all of everyone description. I had asked about PT now i am going to ask again. I cant do up my bra, cant reach and like one of you said if I move my arm or someone grabs my arm or pushes it is is drop to your knees pain! and sleep forget it if I am on my sides the pain wakes me up....thanks for the insight ladies.

Just got back from vacation....OneHungLo..how did you make out when you went to see your MO? I am so sick of pain at this point, and sick of taking things for the pain

looks like the cortisone is working for me. I have much better range of movement in less than two weeks. I should be able to get my radiation. Unfortunately i started my tamoxifen and it is causing muscle spasms and lots of tense sore muscles.

Thanks - its still going well - less than two weeks until I start. If these are the only side effects from tamoxifen, then I consider myself lucky. The Magnesuim, Calcium and D supplement are helping nicely. Lots of shoulder excersizing going on here!! Plus cooking turkey for Canadian Thanksgiving and having a relaxed day surrounded by family.

I want to apologize for thinking about joining the local Y for its warm water pool. Shortly after I posted in October, Mother Nature unleashed the Mother of all winters on us. It was like doing the Iditarod every morning to get to work, and the same was true going home. I will sit quietly amongst my pillows and do exercises at home. I promise!

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Hi VLG, No, I have not had radiation. I have had my shoulder issue for a while, but cancer and a car accident caused a fast decline. And yes, it is on my cancer side. I had a similar experience at the PT, the pain was sharp and horrible. I did end up getting a cortisone shot with good results, it did not make my Lymphedema any worse. But I am cautious about shots big time. I feel for you, it is a painful journey.

i had exchange surgery March 2016. One week post op i began to develop frozen shoulder syndrome, it has been 5 months. The night pain is subsiding but still hard to sleep and daytime is much better. Taking Advil. Shoulder is still frozen. I cannot raise that arm above shoulder height without intense pain.. it simply won't move. I have been told it might be a year until it thaws

Should i be doing PT? I don't know how it would be done since the joint is immobile/frozen. Should i just wait for it to thaw and then have PT?