shoulder arthritis

[G-Mac]

I have been having a throbbing pain in my shoulder that has been keeping me up nights. Been trying Tylenol and heat pad. I went to see my primary care "doctor" (he is actually a PA Physician's Assistant). He sent me for X-Rays and said I have arthritis in my shoulder. He prescribed physical therapy. Haven't gone yet. I doubt it will help. I'm starting to not trust this guy. Has misdiagnosed me before. Any thoughts or advice?

 

[Engineer1911]

See an orthopedic doctor / surgeon who knows how to treat your condition. There are low dose anti-inflammatory drugs that will provide relief to the nagging pain without immediate surgery.

 

[Old cop]

I have shoulder impengement, which may be different, but my doc gave me meloxicam to help. It's a very strong anti inflamatory, comes with side affects & you might want to explore it further.

 

[coachray]

Agree with Engineer1911. Having had arthritis myself, that's the way to go.

 

[URIT]

Tell your primary care doctor you want a referral to an orthopedist because you have suffered long enough with chronic pain and loss of sleep.

I had rotator cuff and bursa sac issues in the past so I can appreciate what you are experiencing. I've also had arthritis in both hips and I'm scheduled for surgery on my second hip next month.

Physical therapy may help resolve part of your problem, so apply for a "Silver Sneakers" pass at your local fitness center that is part of the FREE federal program for seniors if you are receiving social security.

Drugs only mask the problem when you need a better life solution.

 

[doublesharp]

CBD oil has helped the arthritus in both my shoulders, hips and hands. I used to take 10-12 ibuprofen a day now I seldom take any pain relievers.

Homestead Alternatives Full Spectrum CBD Oil | Laura's Mercantile

 

[URIT]

Before you grab the pill bottle, consider the benefits of avoiding inflammatory foods. Creating a dietary strategy that reduces painful inflammation and the need for pain relievers is a healthy choice.

I chose this method when my personal health research lead me to the dietary option.

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible: refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, French fries and other fried foods, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages (like milk), processed meat (hot dogs, sausage), and margarine or shortening.

 

[andy52]

Same problem here, I've already started the therapy and had a x-ray yesterday. Therapy most likely isn't going to help with arthritis but most primary care places have to jump you through the hoops to satisfy the insurance companies before you see a specialist. The therapy person I saw basically told me he would only schedule 4 visits because he knew it wasn't going to help.

 

[rwsmith]

PAs are highly motivated people..

...they ar generally very good, but after some years I noticed a marked drop in quality and the penchant for giving 'Band Aids' instead of treatment. My primary practice runs a walk in clinic and I just quit going because I got was the 'take Tylenol' diagnosis whenever I went. So it was a complete waste of time in that I had to make an appointment with an MD anyway.

PS: I'm not sure if it's the fault of the individual PAs, or if the organization is such to cripple their performance. It seems that several were almost afraid to do anything that would have some real effect outside of waving their hand over it.

 

[G-Mac]

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible: refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, French fries and other fried foods, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages (like milk), processed meat (hot dogs, sausage), and margarine or shortening.

URIT, I've lost 50lbs over the past two years through diet and joining a gym and having a personal trainer two nights a week. I also lowered my A1C out of the diabetic range with no medication. I already am largely following the diet you described. I avoid as much sugar as I reasonably can....no candy, donuts, cake, pastries, etc. I drink no soda. No deep-fried foods, no fast foods other than an occasional McDonald's grilled chicken salad. I only eat about four slices of bread a week and it's whole grain, not white (weekend breakfast with my wife). I like your advice. It has helped a lot!

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

I've had rheumatoid arthritis for 26 years and never heard of it being diagnosed by looking at an xray. You need to see a rheumatologist, not a surgeon, first. He can tell you if it is arthritis or not. If it is arthritis, he can give you multiple treatment options. If it is an injury or just worn out, he can send you to an orthopedist then.

 

[H Richard]

Primarily my hand joints are full of arthritis and discussing it with a Physical therapist a few exercises were recommended. I find a simple jell filled ball that takes a medium amount of strength to compress actually helps the pain. I do 2-3 sets of 25 with each hand while reading in the morning and the benefit lasts most of the day. ( I also take Osteo-Bi-Flex and Meloxicam) I also find that the exercise strengthens my hand and my bullseye scores do improve when I stick to the routine.

 

[psquarejr]

I have the same problem in my right shoulder, arthritis. Mine was diagnosed with a MRI, not an x-ray. I was in serious pain and had many sleepless nights also. A shot of a steroid and physical therapy worked for me, I've been pain free for 10 months. The bad news is that I have to accept the fact that I can no longer shoot trap or heavy caliber rifles. I also have to not over-reach or pick-up heavy objects one handed.

 

[Grayfox]

First off, see an Orthopedist and get a proper diagnosis. Your problem may not be arthritis at all. There are lots of things that can cause shoulder pain.

I've suffered from bursitis in both shoulders for many years. I've currently going through another bad spell with it right now. Shoulders were hurting like hell.
Doctor hit me up with some cortisone shots. One trip to physical therapy where the therapist evaluated me and taught me the proper exercises. Now I do the exercises myself at home. Only takes about 20-30 minutes a day and I'm feeling much better already.
I go through this about every 3 to 5 years. But it does work and I'm fine for a good long while until the next bout decides to come around.

 

[Bubba2014]

Nothing stops the pain, but naproxen and Tylenol-3 help to some degree. Most pain meds do not help me. Arthritis goes from my neck to my toes. Physical therapy does not help much either. Hope you guys have better results.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

About this time last year I was dealing with a left shoulder problem, arthritic growths and bone spurs impinging on the nerve and damaging the biceps tendon, along with some tearing of the rotator cup. My primary care (VA) sent me through the whole treatment protocol of physical therapy (painful, not helpful) followed by MRI, then cortisone injections, finally orthopedic surgery (completely successful).

My point is that, depending on your health care provider and/or insurance coverage, there is likely a standard treatment protocol that requires every possible non-invasive and non-surgical remedy before they will authorize surgical intervention.

If you have other options (insurance coverage will dictate) you may want to explore other resources. Otherwise, you may just have to live through the period of time for all the mandated treatments before they get around to a more permanent solution.

Best regards. Life stops being fun when you hurt all the time.

 

[EQGuy]

G-mac
I have suffered with shoulder pain that kept me up at night. It turned out that I had bone spurs. The doc told me that every time I moved my shoulder it was like I was taking a cheese grater to the tendons in my shoulder. I ended up having to have rotator cuff surgery in both shoulders to repair the damage. My primary care doc looked at the Xrays and sent me to an orthopedists. They sent me in for am MRI and then on to the orthopedic surgeon after reviewing the results. They could not properly diagnose my problem until they had the results of the MRI. I hope you can fix your problem without having to have surgery but just to let you know if surgery is required it really is not too bad and recovery is not that big of a deal.

 

[halvenut]

I have been having a throbbing pain in my shoulder that has been keeping me up nights. Been trying Tylenol and heat pad. I went to see my primary care "doctor" (he is actually a PA Physician's Assistant). He sent me for X-Rays and said I have arthritis in my shoulder. He prescribed physical therapy. Haven't gone yet. I doubt it will help. I'm starting to not trust this guy. Has misdiagnosed me before. Any thoughts or advice?

Be checked by a Rhuematologist and they can tell you what type of Arthritis it is and the best course of treatment. I know from experience.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I had shoulder pain issues and lost a lot of weight and they went away. I gained too much weight over Christmas and now it is back. If weight loss is an option, it may be a good start to eliminate or reduce further treatment on this and other issues. Unfortunately, medicine (not unlike law) is all too often no longer a profession, but an industry that only exists to separate you from your money. Caveat Emptor.

 

[Donn]

I feel ya, G. Too many years of lifting heavy weight destroyed both rotator cuffs, left me with acute arthritis in my right shoulder. The orthopedic doc told me my only option was an artificial joint. Told him I wasn't ready for that. His response was "when the pain gets bad enough, you'll be back." Don't know if that's the verdict you'll get, but don't be surprised.