In reading your post you mention you have cervical radiculopathy. Some time ago, I had shoulder problems, and I remember a report that was sent tomy doctor in 1999. Please read this and let me know what you think. I have recently been having the shoulder pain thing again (I did go back to the doctor who wants me to see a specialist and I soon will but I'm saving up money for that). Here's my report of 1991. Its from a Dr. Kulick, a neurosurgeon.

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Dear Dr. Goldbetter: The patient is a 51 year old woman with a history of degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis in the past. She had an MRI of the lumbar spine previously which showed multiple bulging discs and degenerative disc disease, which I reviewed. Two months ago, she began developing electric socks shooting down her left arm (I no long have those Glenn). At that time she went for an MRI and it felt like one of her caps was being pulled out of her mouth and she could not tolerate that . She had a CT scan, which just showd multiple cervical spondylotic changes. She had a previously left Bell's Palsy ihn 1995. The patient also has had cervical spine x-rays which I have reviewed, which shows degenerative disc disease and cervical spondylotic changes. The patient also has a history of carpal tunnel syndrome and wore splints in the past.

NEUROLOGICAL EXMINATION. The mental status is normal. There is no evidence of aphasia or memory loss. Cranial nerves - the pupils are equal and active bilaterally. The visual fields are full Extraocular movements are normal. There is no nystagmus. Facial, cranial and bulbar muscles are normal, other than mild left facial asymmetry. There is a positive Adson's maneuver on the left and on the right there is a bruit over the infraclavicular region during the Adson's maneuver, the the pulse does not disappear (WHAT THE HECK IS THIS????)

Motor examination reveals normal tone, power and coordination in the upper and lower extremities. There is no dysdiadochokinesia. (??????)Finger to nose, and heel to knee tests are normal The deep tendon reflexes are equal and active. There are no pathologic reflexes. Sensory examination reveals normal pinpick, vibration and position. Cervical range of motion is normal.

IMPRESSION. The patient has left cervical radiculopathy. (See we both have this). Although a certical MRI would be preferable, if she is not able to tolerate that, she must hve an EMG to evaluate nerve root pathology extent and level and this was ordered. She gets relief with Soma and she also goes to the gym and does exercises, all of which are recommended she continue. I did suggest that she have physical therapy to include cervical traction. I will see her again in several weeks.
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Now Glen, I went to get the emg and when the nurse came at me with the cattle prod, I jumped off the table and threatened her life. She didn't do it again, saying "I know, I know, some people, find this uncomfortable". OH REALLY!!!!!

So for the past 5 years I have been exercising and my left side, well, I started to favor it and this past 6 months, the pain in my left shoulder and if I raised my arm, well, it was horrible. As I said my doctor said if I don't get an mri and see if I have a torn rotator cuff, I might wind up with a frozen shoulder. NOw is cervical radiculopathy, the same as a torn rotator cuff. After all, I do have degenerative joint disease. My arm does get better when I do the spider exercises up the wall with my left arm and when I do gentle stretching. The hard part is to do this several times a day. Also, when I take the magnasizer and put it (on low by the way), and press it into my left shoulder, boy does it ever hurt. Alan says that I either have adhesions and they need to be stretched or my muscles need to be worked on.

So now that I have read that i was indeed diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy (I must look that one up), is this the same as having a torn rotator cuff. I haven't yet been to Dr. Fred about this.

That's my next appointment but with all of Alan's appointments with the podiatrists, Dr. Fred and Dr. Goldfarb, well, there isn't any money left for any more co-pays.

I just want your input on this report, (and anybody else who cares to chime in). I really do exercise every day, I've lost tons of weight, I can do my housecleaning, but this morning when the humidity was 100% I could barely stand up but after an hour, I was better. This arthritis stinks.

Be well,
Melody