Whenever we visit our son and his family in Maryland, we like to help out by doing some sort of home maintenance.
This time, we saw that our son had been busy trying to get some walls smoothed and painted.
We thought we could help out by doing some scraping, plastering and sanding.
Art scraped old paint and I did plastering, scraping and sanding in their guest bathroom and dining room.
Unfortunately, the next day my right shoulder started to hurt badly when I tried to raise it. By the second day, I was truly alarmed. It felt like that shoulder was starting to freeze again.
That same shoulder was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder about 15 years ago when I tried to lift weights that were too heavy for me. (It took about 9 months of painful therapy to unfreeze it.) I remember when it started hurting and calling the Nurse Helpline. The nurse told me to immobilize the arm to rest it for a couple of days.
Apparently it was the wrong thing to do.
This time, I was determined not to make that same mistake. I took the maximum dose of Motrin with milk and food and then kept trying to raise my arm. When it didn't seem to improve quickly, I sent a message to my doctor at Tripler who said I could also take Tylenol since it was a different class of drug and see a doctor at Urgent Care.
I also tried to use the wall as a prop and push my arm up gradually. It did not feel good...at all.
Still, by the time I got to Illinois, it started to improve and I could move my arm almost all the way above my head without a wall for support.
Then I got overconfident in Hawaii and went to Zumba. I overdid my arm movements. Arrghh! So now it's achy, but I'm being careful again.
Sigh.... I know. I know. It's all part of aging.
But so annoying.
This time, we saw that our son had been busy trying to get some walls smoothed and painted.
Art scraped old paint and I did plastering, scraping and sanding in their guest bathroom and dining room.
Unfortunately, the next day my right shoulder started to hurt badly when I tried to raise it. By the second day, I was truly alarmed. It felt like that shoulder was starting to freeze again.
That same shoulder was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder about 15 years ago when I tried to lift weights that were too heavy for me. (It took about 9 months of painful therapy to unfreeze it.) I remember when it started hurting and calling the Nurse Helpline. The nurse told me to immobilize the arm to rest it for a couple of days.
Apparently it was the wrong thing to do.
This time, I was determined not to make that same mistake. I took the maximum dose of Motrin with milk and food and then kept trying to raise my arm. When it didn't seem to improve quickly, I sent a message to my doctor at Tripler who said I could also take Tylenol since it was a different class of drug and see a doctor at Urgent Care.
I also tried to use the wall as a prop and push my arm up gradually. It did not feel good...at all.
Still, by the time I got to Illinois, it started to improve and I could move my arm almost all the way above my head without a wall for support.
Then I got overconfident in Hawaii and went to Zumba. I overdid my arm movements. Arrghh! So now it's achy, but I'm being careful again.
Sigh.... I know. I know. It's all part of aging.
But so annoying.
Both Sue and I have some shoulder difficulty, she more than I.
ReplyDeleteWhat causes this? Pulling the muscles or tendos? I have never heard of it! I am so sorry becuase you are a very active person and this must be so annoying.
ReplyDeleteOuch. When I was teaching the teacher's aide was constantly battling this. I think she eventually had the shoulder replacement surgery. Could that be in your future?
ReplyDeleteGood that it can come back to normal.
ReplyDeleteIt is super annoying to get old! I remember when I was in my 20s and 30s and older people would talk about not being able to move and I would think "No way will I ever be like that". Well, I am now! What a pain aging is - literally! HA
ReplyDeleteHope things turn around for you soon. There have been several times I've gotten carried away by the music in a Zumba class and did something I shouldn't have :-)
ReplyDeleteHeal well Kay. Hope you mend with time and care.
ReplyDeleteBe gentle with yourself but yes, keep moving
ReplyDeleteI am glad that my shoulders don't bother me much. It's the other joints, like knees, that give me such problems. And I'm glad you don't have a frozen shoulder after all. Keep us posted, though. :-)
ReplyDeleteMaybe consider going back to the ortho at Tripler? More recent Xrays to be done? Things change.
ReplyDeleteI thought I just had some shoulder tendon swelling, but have a horn-like bone spur from where the shoulder blade enters the joint to the upper arm. Got an injection, and some exercises to do. Not sure If I'm avoiding surgery or not. Linda in Kansas
They did so many X-rays on my humerus and shoulder area when I broke it about a year ago. I really don't want more radiation on me. Yikes! Bone spurs entering the joint. That sounds really, really painful.
DeleteOuch, I feel your pain. I had a torn rotator cuff and it hurt for 3 years. Last year my chiropractor told me to keep my elbow close to my rib when I reached for anything or lifted. Wow, it really worked and I have been a year pain free. Hope your recovery is just as simple.
ReplyDeleteMy son has suffered from frozen shoulder a couple of times. He was helped by both physical therapy and the Feldenkrais method but nothing seems to prevent it from coming back. A shame since he enjoys keeping physically active.
ReplyDeleteI had that problem and got a shot of cortisone in the muscle by the joint and it helped immensely. Then another year later the other shoulder started to hurt and I got a shot in it now no pain but I don't overdue it or exercise it just walk...
ReplyDeleteThese old shoulders give us problems. I had rotator cuff tears. It is also complicated by inflamation and arthritis. It's liveable.
ReplyDeleteAnnoying, indeed. How annoying!
ReplyDeletePrep is the hardest work of all
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm familiar with getting the cold shoulder, but not frozen shoulder. I guess that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteJust keep moving, but with moderation?
Oh my gosh! Too funny!
DeleteOh gosh, Kay. I feel your pain, I mean literally...feel your pain. Keep on taking good care of yourself the way you are. I hope it's all better now.
ReplyDeleteTalk about shoulder pain...I can't even sleep on my sides anymore. PAIN! PAIN!! PAIN!!! I have to sleep flat on my back now. Siiiiggghh
Wishing you a wonderful Thursday, Kay!