randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
my dr wants to give me cortizone for my shoulder impingement syndrome. I said no way.
he said I have severe inflammation and it would really help. after all, one shot wont hurt you.
I start therapy thursday. my friend, pam, says therapy made hers much worse. I still ain't gettin no shot.
I am concerned about the pt tho as I'm really sore and hurting.
can it make you worse? yes I suppose it can butthe therapist said they woul rd call the dr and tell him im noncooperative. well I dont want that in my records. dang threatening I think.
I hate feeling like I'm being bullied.
pam ended up having surgery.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- First, good that you know to refuse the steroid shot [for those new to lyme reading this, steroids can make lyme much worse]
but any doctor who is long standing in the life of a person with chronic lyme should know this and not lie that "it can't hurt" - they are not smart enough to be your doctor.
The PT your friend had might not be at all the same as for you. And her diagnosis also might have variables.
Did you actually talk with the PT and they actually say this: "butthe therapist said they woul rd call the dr and tell him im noncooperative"
or did the doctor tell you that's what he's instructed them to do?
Whoever said that / orders that should be fired, IMO. If the PT did not say that, disregard (though if doctor said it, seems he's demanding such from that PT so find one not under his thumb with that kind of attitude)
I would never work with a PT who had that kind of attitude. Never. Never. You do not have to, either.
A good PT would have listened to your concerns, discussed with you the VARIOUS MODALITIES from which YOU could choose to start out that would in no way cause you discomfort.
As for any physical manipulation or exercises, they would outline exactly what they would be and ask you if you thought that would work. Then, if starting out, at any time if you felt it was too much back off.
A good PT would like start with a nice warm ultrasound session.
I would just cancel that PT appointment and don't announce anything to the PT.
If you are intent on keeping this doctor (which is also your choice) . . . then call their office, talk with the office manager and inform them you have a different PT
but, first, you'd have to look at your insurance list to see which PTs are on your plan. Then call their offices for the resume of the PTs available to you, so that you can study their backgrounds and get a sense of the modalities they use and their philosophies.
Find a new PT / call your doctor's office manager to request referral if you need one. If not, tell them of your new choice after you've had a first appointment.
You might also ask if you could first go by and have a five minute information appointment with them as part of your process in choosing the PT who would best fit your needs.
Now, if you can't find a PT, you might then find a good massage therapist on your own, an acupuncturist, etc. I found far better help that way. It's self pay but so worth it.
Key term as you "interview" whomever is to become a body worker for you:
ask them about the VARIOUS MODALITIES they might use for someone in intense pain with inflammation.
and, about that inflammation: Turmeric or other methods? -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The kind of heat packs and ultrasound therapy have helped me so much at various times with extreme pain / inflamed joints. If you can get ultrasound, go for it. It can be very healing.
BRACE of some type? If you are overusing the affected joint, should it be immobilized at least for some time of the day? Sometimes this is really necessary to let the tissue rest.
SOTA pulser therapy? CarolinPA knows much more about this.
You could buy a unit and have it for your own use.
Heating pads, etc. regularly . . . LED Light therapy (some PTs will have special LED light machines, too). -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Topical help: ARNICA cream such as TRAMEEL
Sublingual help: Homeopathic Arnica pellets -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- ENTERIC COATED PEPPERMINT OIL capsules can help much, too. Just re-studying this and compiling some links for another thread.
Back later but you can probably find a decent brand of that at Whole Foods. Also excellent in so many ways.
Many years ago, I was amazed at how such capsules helped knee pain. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I spoke with the person who called and made the appt. they asked when I had seen the dr and I said two weeks ago. we had a death in the family.
she informed me that they would call the dr and tell him I was not available, could not be reached, and was uncooperative, her words exactly, in scheduling an appt. probably a scheduling clerk and not actual therapist.
I said whoa, wait a dang minute, death in family trumps appt and dr would say its alright. what dont you understand about husbands mother dying. certainty extenuating circumstances.
she backed off.
I go in thursday at 830 for therapy and the way I feel if they move that arm one bit and it hurts im speaking out.
my sister told me I should ask for an mri. its hard to distinguish between rotator cuff tear and impingement.
pam has rheumatoid arthritis and that complicated things but the surgery was successful. she did say she'd rather have open heart than go through that recovery again.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Well, that sure does not sound like a person I'd want to work with -- or be in the same room. You still do not have to go. There must be other choices. I'd sure want to study the other PTs and their approaches, their attitudes.
I don't see how the dynamic can possible work there if they are taking such a dictatorial approach.
Peppermint Oil: A Potent Oil with the Power of Menthol
By Dr. Joseph Mercola -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You say: "my sister told me I should ask for an mri. its hard to distinguish between rotator cuff tear and impingement."
Not sure how good an MRI is with soft tissue imaging but whichever imaging technique is best at that seems it should have been done by now.
I'd not let anyone who might move a joint around very much - or advise me on movement or other actions - until they had some kind of picture to at least rule out having a kazoo stuck in there or some other kind of structural / soft tissue issues.
It's really concerning, though, the attitude of who you've been assigned. I have met some fabulous PT over the course of decades. Most are, really. And you should not have to be assigned to one who is abusive from the start.
That attitude is abuse. It just is. You can't make her have a better attitude. It's not your job nor should it be. Any patient deserves better from the start. And you can just cancel and seek out someone more appropriate to your needs.
Her threat of telling your doctor you are uncooperative is abuse, too, by the way. And any doctor who operates under such (word loss) is using abusive tactics, too.
You could also find, call and have a conversation with the PT licensing body for your state about reasonable expectations of anyone in your position. -
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
WAIT! You haven't had an MRI?? (sorry, I haven't had time to read it all)
YOU MUST have an MRI before beginning treatment. My doctor was pretty sure I had a rotator cuff problem but it was impingement and something wrong with another muscle.
Treatment will be designed for your CONDITION. If they don't KNOW the condition, treatment could fail and you could incur damage.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
nope didn't have one. the dr jus moved my arm around. it won't go backwards or up over neck height.
can't shampoo hair, getting bra off is a *****, can't get seatbelt cause I can't turn around. can't sleep on either side really.
sorry I didn't mention it. since I didn't have it I figured well ok must not be important.
but pam was a trauma room nurse so I figure I better listen to her and she said no way to diagnose without test. she recommended an xray at a minimum at least and I didn't have that either.
I think i'll call drs office and tell them I really want one. if the balk, then i'll go specialist.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
For up-to-date and comprehensive resources on shoulder arthritis, please visit our new online Shoulder Arthritis Book and Rotator Cuff Tear Book!
Last updated: Monday, February 4, 2013
Scroll all the way for some really nice images to compare . . . and some illustrations to compare so you know the range of techniques before the order is placed.
Perfect Spot No. 14, The Most Predictable Unsuspected Cause of Shoulder Pain
updated August 10 2016
Illustrations here are very good, such as: This schematic shows how the fibres of the infraspinatus fill the space below the spine of the scapula, and converge on a point on the upper arm. When they contract, they spin the arm in its socket (arrow). . . . -
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
A readable self-help manual for one the strangest of all common musculoskeletal problems, adhesive capsulitis
1/3 of the way down:
The dead giveaway symptom: a specific painful spot, on the coracoid process
Illustrations, etc.
. . . Other shoulder problems that could be confused with adhesive capsulitis . . . .
Rotator cuff tendinopathy or tendon tear.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that surrounds the shoulder joint like a “cuff,”
and that cuff is anatomically overlapping the joint capsule that gets inflamed in frozen shoulder — which is why rotator cuff problems can be difficult to distinguish from frozen shoulder. . . .
. . . Subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis are closely related to rotator cuff tendonitis, but instead of tendons they affect bursae (the anatomical padding between tendons and other structures). . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
if you press where the arm drops down and along that joint, it hurts. front not so much.
there are two extremely sore spots on the inside of the shoulder in the back which really hurt.
if you press about two inches down on the arm, it really hurts but it has to be an exact point.
and it pops alot...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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quote:Originally posted by randibear: [QB] nope didn't have one. the dr jus moved my arm around. it won't go backwards or up over neck height.
can't shampoo hair, getting bra off is a *****, can't get seatbelt cause I can't turn around. can't sleep on either side really.
sorry I didn't mention it. since I didn't have it I figured well ok must not be important.
but pam was a trauma room nurse so I figure I better listen to her and she said no way to diagnose without test. she recommended an xray at a minimum at least and I didn't have that either.
I think i'll call drs office and tell them I really want one. if the balk, then i'll go specialist.
Definitely get both. You could have bone spurs and regular X-ray will spot that.
You sure don't want PT to damage a torn rotator cuff. Hopefully you don't have one, but you must know.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bluelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 47170
posted
Ozone injections helped with my cruchy shoulder but if you cant then frankensence essential oil and dmso ..it works like in a day
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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posted
I have had a VERY similar situation. A few years ago i took the shot (before i knew i had Lyme...at that time they were dealing with me like i had RA), it didn't do much and hurt like the dickens.
He did Xray it and made a best guess that it wasn't a tear. He is a shoulder specialist so this was something.
Recently the same shoulder cranked up to an excruciating point, went back to Ortho. He offered the shot but also pointed out that if its a nerve issue (more LYme related) the shot won't help and that there is nothing wrong with waiting and seeing if it will pass. We both agreed in light of Lyme history the shot was NOT a no brainer.
I waited, it settled down. Ice every night before bed made it feel better (and prescription NSAID...Voltaren).
Re PT i get it, i can't even IMAGINE the PT with my shoulder in that state. In fact, shoulder Ortho told me the name of the game is avoid anything that aggravates it and just let it settle down.
It did. If possible, ride it out and see if it lessens.
posted
I did that once with bursitis in my shoulder. A few weeks later and it was "OK."
Good point about the nerves. An impingement is a NERVE impingement.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
here's something. because I'm retired I sit alot. well I am back to walking a mile per day. takes 30 minutes but hey...
my husband said he knows what's going on. whe I watch tv or work on computer he says I leanon the sofa or chair arm. the sofa is a large leather high sofa with padded arms. he says I'm leaning over to the left and bent down.
hmmm. maybe putting pressure on that shoulder huh pushing into that joint????
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
FELDENKRAIS METHOD - regarding body mechanics in learning what to do for one's self -- and also to find body work professionals trained in this method for therapy.
Some PTs will have such training, and that's when it can be a very good combination. But mostly, people will have to pay out of pocket but, if recommended by a doctor, it can be deductible on taxes.
Ergonomic design [and many items can be found on Craigslist]. The best investment I ever made. Ever. Ten years now and two chairs, bought used, are still in pristine and supportive condition. -
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You might also see if an Occupational Therapist could make a visit to your home to see how you move / "relate" with your furniture, tools and everyday movement / chores.
Some insurance policies will also cover BIOFEEDBACK training for pain diagnoses. Biofeedback training sessions (several would be needed) can work very well to 're-learn' good body mechanics or learn to accommodate injury.
The way it incorporates breathing and relaxation with awareness of body mechanics has been proven to reduce pain in many instances. Sure helped me a lot. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
well they called and confirmed the appt. it was the same person. for some reason my head is screaming don't let anybody touch you.
it's feeling better but sore. I can sleep now.
if they try something im out of there and will deal with the doctor.
I have medicare so I dont know what they pay.
but I dont like this woman. nust a gut feeling this is a bad idea.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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