Pain! Ugh!!!!!!!
 

Hey Everyone,
Its me again. Just have a question and a little update on my condition.
Ever since I have had my back problem my right shoulder had hurt me some while going through the back pain. Now that the back pain has settled down for the time being to being tolerable my shoulder seems to be feeling worse. My shoulder is bothering me so bad I can barely move my arm. I just want to sit and cry sometimes. I am working on the 6th day of no release of it hurting so bad, I called my attorneys office and of course they put me thru to someone that isn't even working on my case so i have to call back this afternoon. They are suppose to set me up with a doc in Des Moines that specializes in crps or rsd for an IME. I was trying to find out if that has been done or if there has been approval from wc to fix my leads or if I should just go to my pain doc. The girl I spoke with said she knows nothing about my case and I asked to speak with my attorney and she said he was in a conference with his son so he couldn't come to the phone at that time and the woman that is working on my case won't be back til this afternoon, so I have to call back this afternoon.All I know is I feel like just cutting from my shoulder all the way down to my arm off it hurts so bad. I know the saying if it is rsd which I think it may be "Use it or lose it" but how do you use something like your shoulder when it hurts so bad just to move or when I try to get up from a chair I have such horrible pain? I am trying to use it but it hurts so bad sometimes I just want to be a big baby and cry. What can I do?Any suggestions will really help me alot. Especially since I can't seem to get anywhere with my attorney rite now so I don't dare call my pm doc til I hear from my atty. what he wants me to do. All i know is it hurts so bad. I am trying my darndest to keep from stress as much as possible, but my mom is makeing it very difficult. She is starting things with my other family members and my best friend as far as telling lies about what I said the last time we talked there for things are starting to come between my best friend and I. I don't know how much more I can take. I feel like I am headed for a nervous break down . I have been crying so much that on both sides of my nose but above my mouth is so dry from me wiping tears. I don't know what to do anymore. please help me. I feel like I am going totally and completely crazy. Please help me. Thank u.

Sincerely,
Tracy:eek:

Tracy!!!
 

You poor thing! I think I can speak for all of us, saying we can relate to those days when the flare eats at you so bad, it feels as though your mind is going to split. Simply own up that you are just having a "bad day" and it will pass. And in the grande scheme of things, those really, REALLY bad days usually only last a day or two. I'll keep you in my thoughts and pray for you that upon next day's awakening, the agony you are being tortured with will subside (at least a little!!) ;)


God bless and lots of hugs for you :hug:Vanna

Hi Tracy,
Pain flares are the worst, especially when they surprise us in various places, as though they're on a road trip throughout our body! Six days is a long time to be under so much physical (and emotional) duress.
I hope you do call your pain management doc and get some kind of relief or guidance.. That is too long to endure unbridled pain. Maybe s/he can see you ASAP or at least this week some time.
In the mean time, are you able to soak in a tub of epsom salts, or at least apply some warm, wet epsom salt wash cloths to your shoulder to draw out some of the pain.
please remember to take deep breaths and relax as much as you can (I know it's easier said than done) during these pain flares. It helps to find a quiet place and ease into the pain with deep breaths. Is there anyone (a friend) that you can talk to release your painful emotions? Writing them down might help, along with a good cry. Music is good medicine, too.
Thinking of you..:hug:
Hope4thebest

Hi Tracy, I know from experience, frozen shoulder is terrible pain.My frozen shoulder (RSD) followed breast surgery, benign.I took pain meds before going to therapy-I first went to massage therapy to 'warm' the shoulder-loosen it up, then went for an hour of p.t.
This went on for 100 times. Have full use of shoulder no pain. Had a year plus remission, then got frozen shoulder in other side. more therapy. Another remission year plus.Your shoulder needs experienced therapist. I'm so grateful I stayed with it. I have full body rsd now, but mobile and only have one hand partially paralyzed. My Dr. just put in HBOT in his new clinics, having good success- I'm going to start treatment this late spring, early summer.
Hope the best for youl, loretta with soft hugs:grouphug:

Tracy, I just am checking in to see how you are feeling? I know how bad the shoulder pain can be. Before each physical therapy treatment I took pain meds. They would strap me to table and work the shoulder. It is very painful during the treatment, but in the end-have full range of motion of shoulder/arm and no pain. It's been 15 years now and I still stretch, swim, and try to keep everything moving. Water therapy is really good with water that is 86 degree. There was a time I couldn't swim, but now can. The therapist gave me a tool, it's a round cylinder styrofoam about 5 ft long and 6 inches thick. I lay on it with arms stretched out and roll from side to side. It helps stretch those shoulder muscles. A therapist knowledgable in RSD is imperative. I also had one for my hand, but only got 50% usuage back. Was misdiagnosed and started late in therapy.
Have you thought about asking your Mom to keep your conversations private. Like telling her your relationship is important to you and the talking to 'Mom' helps you. Then telling your friends, other family the same thing-so your conversations don't get passed around and misunderstood. Have you thought of telling your attorney you are in need of counseling? RSD is something that most people need some professional help in dealing with. It's a loss like death is a loss, and there are steps of grieving our losses we need help in. Support group for RSD is also helpful. RSDSA is the national organization and if you go their on the web and put in your zip code, you'll get the closest support group. I was in therapy for 2 plus years when my parents died and 10 years into RSD and going full body, started therapy again and still going to same Dr. for the last 5-6 years. He has helped me so much.
Journaling is something that has helped me a great deal. Meditation, prayer, Visualization, Biofeedback, Music, Scented candles, epson salt baths, all these things helps us by the way of distraction and getting our feelings expressed. Do you like to read? Motivational books can be a lifesaver. Michael j Fox wrote a book, Always looking Up I'm going to buy. It's about him dealing with Parkinsons Disease. When I was in therapy the first time, I read about 50 books. Today there are tapes to listen to etc.
RSD is very painful physically and emotionally does so much to ourselves and our families. Communication skills are so important. It's importantant to stand up for ourselves, with respect.I personally needed professional help to do that. I really hope the best for you and WC should approve of professional help for you for this disorder.
Did you look at the video Sandel put on this website about medical information on RSD. It is really good, and the one just to the right of it. It has the sond my Sarah McGloughlin, Angels. It's really good. Let us know how you are doing, we really care- loretta with soft hugs:grouphug:

Tracy,
Call your doctor. Your attorney cannot help with pain. (If need be, your doctor can call your attorney, clients get through to attorneys last, usually). I've never heard of calling an attorney because of pain?

AS for your family.
Just be a nice person.
Get out of the drama. It's making your pain worse. Interact with positive people.
(If you must, or choose to interact with negatives, I don't know what we can do for you). Families usually have some kind of drama. Just be "nice as you can be". :)

Maybe, you should talk nicely to your hands, occasional??? :)

Remember....
"Expectation is your doorway to Disappointment".

Tracy, are you on an anti-depressant, like Cymbalta?

Are you following the "Triangle" of care?

Your meds, your doctor
Your body, exercise, Move it.
Your psych, psychologist or psychiatrist.

You've been in this cycle since I've known you, and I'm getting concerned, gal! :hug:
It seems your family is taking you downhill... Don't let them, only you can let them!

Pete

Tracy... I too am here to say hello and hope you are feeling some what more adjusted...Loretta brought up so many great tips ....!! I, too had to find someone to spill on.. My Dr. said it was time.... I like her now. I resisted at first but now I enjoy chatting with her.. Think I'll keep her.. most importantly... know that you are not alone in your low days. We all feel such devestation, hopeless, loneliness while trying to make sense of our illness... Tears are good and so are friends..and you have many right here!!!! KS :grouphug:

Tracy,

let us know how you're doing?

We're all worried about you, and we wonder.



Thanks sweety!

Pete
asb

Hi Tracey
I hope and Pray that your haveing a painfree day. Try to stay positive, and stay away from stress,worrying is one of my biggest flare triggers,Its easy to say,stay positive ,but we must perservere,,may the Lord Lay his hand of Love,peace and healing on you,,remember that prayer is very powerfull,,,,,bobber

Hi Tracey, I'm sorry you are in so much pain. I know the frozen shoulder pain is a long process. I have had this wonderful Dr. the past 6 years. He is a neurologist, psychiatrist, and pharmacologist. He has taken me off some meds, put on others, just finished a trial study 200 people, and now I'm sleeping 10 hours a night, and because of the restorative sleep have less pain so have gone down in pain meds.
He just built two clinics one in Scottsdale and one in Paradise Valley and each has a HBOT in them. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber helps with blood circulation. He told me the VA Hospital in Tampa just put in 16 chambers. RSD was discovered during the civil war because of the gunfire-chrapnal injuries. I'm going to have the HBOT treatments this late spring early summer. He told me Monday that he just had a patient with frozen shoulder from a car accident. She was on one of the freeways here in Phoenix, and two other cars crashed-went into metal fence and one of the metal poles became a missle -came thru the windshield -took off her pinkie finger and part of her arm and pinned her arm into the back of the seat. She was driving. They were able to save her arm, 18 surgeries later, she had very little range of motion. Her neuro. called my neuro and asked him if he would be willing to take her on as a patient for HBOT. He said yes, after 9 treatments, the TV crew was there interviewing her and my Doc and she waved her arm at the TV crew. He is having some amazing results for various health issues.

Tracy, I hope the best for you. Take care, loretta with soft hugs:grouphug:

First of all Tracy, know you are not crazy! Pain is a very real thing. Im so sorry that you are having it so ruff right now. The epsom soaks have really helped me alot along with just coming here and sharing with those I know truly can and do understand. I too have a frozen shoulder and this may sound silly but recently my physical therapist had me try it and it has helped along with the epsom soaks. Sounds strange but she had me put on a neck brace and I was amazed just how much pressure it takes off of your shoulders. Doesn't take away all of the pain but definately gave some relief.

Hang in there! Keep us posted
Hugs TJ

C'mon Tracy!
Let us know that you're OK?


nervous
pete

Loretta,
Hey its just me finally getting back. I am so sorry and I want to thank everyone for caring so much about me. I am in my 2nd week of pain in the shoulder,arm/hand,whole right side of back clear to hip and no answers yet. Seen pm doc and he said to see an orthopedic surgeon cuz it might be arthritis or tendivitis or something like that so I am awaiting to hear from the orthos office. I am in so much pain i feel like dying and it sure isn't getting any better.
Thanks again to everyone for caring.

Sincerely,
Tracy:grouphug:

Hi Tracy, Is it possible to call your Dr. ortho, internist, and explain your pain is off the charts, and ask for temporary meds till your appointment
RSDSA web site lists the McGill Pain Index and lists RSD pain ahead of childbirth, and terminal cancer, and amputation. I know you are suffering-please try to get some temp meds until you get your appointment. Just a thought. I hope you find a compassionate Dr. to show fellow felling toward you so you can get thru this rough patch.
Thanking of your with warmth and love, loretta with soft hugs:grouphug: