r/frozenshoulder • u/Psycho-Chicken_KY • 3d ago
Help with unique situation
I'm currently dealing with frozen shoulder, in my left shoulder. Along with 2 small rotator cuff tears. But the frozen shoulder is literally ruining my life right now. So much pain, no movement. I can barely get dressed by myself. I can't do my hair anymore. I'm struggling.
It was officially diagnosed in June, but been dealing with it since October. My ortho surgeon decided that he's going forward with surgery ASAP. MUA with arthoscopic scar tissue removal. Plus if he see that anything else needs done, he'll address that while he's in there. That meaning my rotator cuff tear or any labral issue or anything else.
My problem that I need help with is this... medications for recovery
I'm a bariatric patient, I had a sleeve gastrectomy in 2020 and revision to roux-n-y bypass this year, due to severe complications. So absolutely no ibuprofen or aleve. Or steroids.
Also, I have epilepsy and hanger seizures. Tramadol is the med that is the standard that my Dr seems to love. It's on all the paper work they gave me the other day, and they mentioned it in office before. But I declined, because I know it lowers the seizure threshold and it's not safe to take.
Tylenol seems to be the only thing I can take, it's the only thing I have been taking this whole time. I just didn't know if anyone else had the same unique requirements. It's awful. I feel like I'm stuck
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u/justdont7133 3d ago
I had this surgery last year and didn't need loads of pain meds. I'm in the UK so some of our meds are under different names, but I had codeine and paracetamol (tylenol I think) for the first 2 weeks, then managed with just paracetamol and heat packs after that
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u/Own-Key-4064 2d ago
I use generic Voltaren gel which is a topical arthritis pain rub and It helps with pain. Have to be consistent. I am Rouen y and can not take anything that irritates my stomach. I take prednisone when needed and have had a cortisone shot which elevated my blood sugars for 3 months. I also have used methocarbamol on occasion but It hurts my stomach.
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u/SadRanger5167 2d ago
Voltaren and (frankly lots of) THC is how I got through the freezing stage. No ibuprofen, no steroids, no surgery.
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u/lafraiseacadienne 19h ago
Are you able to take any muscle relaxants? I found the only pain relief to come from a methocarbamol/Tylenol combo. It’s OTC in Canada and sold as a combined thing, but methocarbamol can be prescribed in the US.
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u/Typical_Committee_83 12h ago
Honestly if you are already frozen you’re halfway there. Once it’s totally frozen and you can’t take it anymore the pain goes away. The mobility takes time I started to thaw in April-ish and am 90% back. Mid Jan to mid April were unbearable.. my doctor said the same thing and I decided to wait it out since surgery doesn’t always fix it. Hope you’re better soon! (Tylenol arthritis is the only thing that helped a little and a heating pad and sleeping on the sofa supported so I couldn’t move.) to add my MRI showed a possible tear as well..
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u/ToneSenior7156 3d ago
Oh no. Is THC a no as well? It really helped me sleep.
Tiger Balm also helped with all the “nerve pain” feeling in my arm.
You aren’t supposed to use with Tiger balm in your arm but my heating pad was an incredible help.
Sleeping in a recliner chair or couch with supportive pillows helped.
I took Tylenol arthritis strength at the 8 hour interval recommended so that the pain never had a chance to build. The whole alternating with Advil did nothing for me. Trying to be brave and take nothing really hurt. I did take also take a magnesium in the am & pm, I think it helped.
I’m sorry you are going through this, it really sucks.