Got rid of Arthritis Shoulder Pain, But..... for how long

I haven't even gone down that road of looking for alternatives.

My osteo-arthritic troubles started in the mid 90's and got worse. By 2002 I was in a wheelchair, unable to walk even short distances. BY 2005 I had had both knees replaced and was able to leave the wheelchair behind and mobility is good these days. Unfortunately the arthritis is everywhere else except my hips and shoulders. I have it in my thumbs, wrists, elbows, neck and lower spine.

Painkillers work for a few hours and are not worth taking. Not one of the thousands of 'cures' or 'relief' medicines you find in Chemists and Herbal shops seem to work as I have spoked with many people on this. They are just a money making concerns while people like us grab at any new 'cure'. I have only tried a few however and they have all been a waste of time.

Electrical impulses, magnets, copper bracelts and so on may work for some for a short time.

I try to put mind over matter, stay busy, and even do some hard physical work in small doses. If the pain gets too bad I go and lie down.

Unfortunantely there is no miracle cure and I am just going to have to put up with it for as much time as I have left on this mortal coil.


Maybe you should consult an orthopaedic surgeon with the view to a shoulder operation. A mate of mine has had his done and he seems to be a lot better off now.


Cheers

I have one of those devices, purchased specifically to fix right arm which I had managed to stuff completely - Carpal Tunnel, Golfer's Elbow and Tennis elbow all at once.

Numerous trips to Osteo saw a small improvement, but finally out of desperation bought this device at the Caravan & Camping show.

Used as directed, and combined with ice packs after electric stimulation (Osteo's suggestion) the arm is now fully functional. The arthritis in the fingers is getting worse, though, I can't use the device for them :)

Many years ago I had a "knotted" muscle in my shoulder which was so painful I went to see my GP - he put one of the little devices on and adjusted it over 45 minutes, as much "hammering" as I could stand. Knot gone, shoulder still painful but easing even as I left the surgery.

I think the devices are very useful (I claimed mine back on health insurance too) . In Willem's case, there may be too many parts affected to be of much use, as in my fingers.

Very common to use that technique in physiotherapy after major orthopaedic surgery. It does a few things:

1. Strengthens the muscles in the general area around the surgical wound.
2. Decreases the amount of swelling in the area (oedema)
3. Has "TENS" (Trans Epidermal Nerve Stimulation) like properties on the nerves in the area, effectively making the brain "forget" about the pain signals it may be getting from the surgical area.

It does work and it is not hocus-pocus.

The Old Rooster uses the TENS machine (sounds like what you are describing) from time to time on his back. Some relief but not overly effective - certainly not lasting for days. He has been advised by the Physio to use 4 pads and highest level. Different things work for different people.

Motherhen

Peter, I suffer from arthritis to many of my joints, much like willem describes. Early in 2007 I was overtaken by arthritis pain in my shoulder, after about 12 months progressive onset. In the end could not reach around to pull the back of my shorts up, or put my arm straight up in the air, or tuck my hand up ito my armpit, or much worse, get any sleep at night. After much cortisone and other ant-iinflamatories, was sent to an orthopeadic surgeon, who diagnosed frozen shoulder, and performed a manipulation under anesthatic in hospital. After almost 12 months rehab and much physio I am now relatively pain free in that shoulder, but not arthritis free . Frozen shoulder, and bursitis are very painful, and very common for arthritis sufferers, and easily confused with torn rotor cuff or other shoulder and elbow damage. You need to get a specialists advice for long term relief, and not get temporary relief, which I also tried. You need to fix the problem, not mask it.
Just one of the unwanted bonuses of mature ageing I suppose, and lots of physical work/activity in our younger years, when we thought we were invincible.

I have a "Tens" machine also, which I use on my left shoulder muscles. I find that it is very useful in relieving the pain for at least a few days and then I repeat the application as necessary.
I luv it.

I was loaned a TENS machine by my physio while my leg was healing after smashing the tibia plateau. It did help. I take gloucosamine every day. It makes a big difference.

Peter

Can be days, weeks or months, and the pain is usually associated with life-style, or just plain wearing out. They can be used to release "endorphins", the body's own pain management " feel good " chemical.

The unit you are talking about sounds like a "Sports Med"., Jim Lamers, Physiotherapist, from Essendon way in Melbourne, got it up and running.
I have gone thru 6 or 8 of them, as an Aussie Rules Football Trainer for approx 25 years, I can vouch for them.




Crank them right up or change the pulsing to " cloak " all pain ,,

I use it all the time for knee pain

Brilliant !

Cheers
Bucky

GEE!!! I have just decided that i dont wat to get any older!!!!! Michael.

Perhaps some of your should try a decent massage and a stretching routine. A good massage therapist keeps you going and wuill giv you stretches to manage muscle tightness in affected areas - then you can manage it yourself.

My understanding is that Arthritis is more active in people who have an acidic rather than alkaline blood stream. if this is correct my arthritis is probably self inflicted since up to 2 years ago I took 1000mgm of Vitamin C daily hoping that it would protect me from getting the big C.

I did this for over 20 years. So I may not get the big C, but I certainly have the big A.

Thanks for your comments.

Peter