the latest non-news on the shoulder front

[rowanf]

Ah, bah! My week-delayed doctor appointment resulted only in yet another referral. And she thought probably he's want an MRI rather than just doing cortisone. And the doctor she referred me to doesn't have an appt until late Feb, so I took a Friday appointment with another doc.... a week from Friday. I am REALLY tired of hurting. And I am *not* happy about having to drive to Menlo Park for a fifth day next week. Hmm. Maybe I can take off a different day and work on Friday. I'll see what I can work out. *grump* I want to be able to sleep on my left side! To put my coat on without thinking about it. Close my car door without a twinge of pain. And who #$&% knows how long it will take to get an MRI scheduled and then to finally *do* something. Anyone who will send energy and/or pray for my rotator cuff tendonitis to resolve itself has my permission to do so!

Comments

[queergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh hon ... that sounds awful! Here's a gentle hug to cheer ya up a bit. I'll send ya lotsa energy.

When I had some lesions on my back and on my collarbone area I thought might be skin cancer, I was continually frustrated by doctors offering me appointments 2 months into the future!!! *sigh* I finally found one who could see me in 3 weeks. Some days I wonder if they get it any more? Those lesions turned out to be benign, but what if they'd been malignant melanoma???

Anyway ... this is about you, not me. Here's mucho energia para su salud.

[tylik.livejournal.com]

Oh, good luck! I'll be lighting a candle...

Don't know if it's of interest, but have you tried electrostim? I've used it on some of my previous rotator cuff / thurassic outlet injuries... and we recently got an inexpensive and very cool Chinese electrostim machine.

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

My Mom had that on her knees and it was hugely helpful.

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I don't know how electro-stim works. Is it something I could repurpose my TENS unit for? That certainly does electrical well. I don't think I'd know where to put the electrodes. Move 'em around until the pain is blocked from traveling down the nerves like with a normal TENS session or is the idea to get the muscles in the area moving?+

[tylik.livejournal.com]

TENS units are a kind of electrostim, so it's worth try as is. I know there's some issues of paterns and frequency that are supposed to make them more useful for particular purposes, and I don't know how flexible yours is. (Mine had only two settings, whereas the nifty Chiense one has about 15.)

[tylik.livejournal.com]

Hey, FWIW, I just went and gave my shoulder a good half hour of treatment with the electrostim, and an hour later it's still a lot calmer. (Of course, I put mine to the "shoulder, tendonitis" setting, whatever that means ;-) )

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

have you tried devil's claw ointment? I put that on any long-term aches, along with comfrey ointment on anything from a bruise up. It won't fix it, but it does help... and sometimes using the ibuprofen gels for a day can help by getting you out of the cycle of pain -> tension -> tight muscles -> more damage

gentle hugs and warm hands!

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I've never even head of devil's claw. I've used a bit of arnica but the pain is interior rather than surface and there is no brusing or anything. I'm doing lots of ice and heat kinds of things as appropriate. And a bit massage, bless Russell.

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

I used it as a tea when I thought my torn muscles were arthritis (well, when the doctor told me...)
some info on it
You could also try a cayenne ointment which will increase the blood flow to the area and keep it warm

[ocean-song.livejournal.com]

so sorry you are still in pain. I know how it goes. Well, you could always try electrostim, and if you want, I'd even needle you. I just have to say that I find shoulders the hardest to treat acu-wise. I do know a few great docs I could refer you to. Let me know if there's anything I can do. Actually for you, I think magnets might also help a lot in speeding its healing.

xxxooo

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Thanks, dear. Actually when this first started getting back some months back I said to Russell that I should get you to do some acupunture. But, of course, I just ignored it until it got really bad. I hate it when I'm my own worst enemy. Maybe you can tell me a bit more about electro-stim.m