Topic: torn rotator cuff or trapezius muscle in right shoulder???
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i have spent the last two days in my bed practically screaming from pain....
i picked up and carried my sister's new hoover vacuum cleaner from the car into her garage. it was very heavy. i felt a stinging sensation in my right shoulder.
my doc said right now it is probably a torn trapezius muscle but that is very rare and is most likely a torn rotator cuff. said he can't tell without tests right now.
i can't take most pain meds so i didn't get any.
the pain is a 10 plus, i mean it, childbirth surely can't be this painful. if you touch my right shoulder blade in the back i just double over. i wake up in night in a full body sweat because the pain is so bad and it's causing my bp to go out of sight.
has anybody had a torn rotator cuff or trapezius muscle? the doc said if it's bad enough, i'll probably have to have surgery. he also said most shoulder injuries never really truly heal after surgery. now that's really encouraging.
if anyone knows anything about this type of injury, i sure would appreciate some help.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
So sorry your hurting. Hope you get relief soon. your in my thoughts & prayers.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hi Randibear. I'm so sorry you're in pain. Yes, it is about the worst pain imaginable! I have a torn rotator cuff (rear-ended by a large SUV) also. It strangely manifested as a horrible pain/spasm in my shoulder blade, even though the tear itself is in the front/inside.
The horrid spasms in my shoulder blade did not let up at all until the doctor gave me some Relafen, which I take at bedtime, enabling me to sleep. Otherwise, even slight movement woke me.
I am probably going to need surgery but am presently doing four weeks of physical therapy to try and fix it.
The good news: Somewhere around 95% of all rotator cuff surgeries are successful.
Get a referral to an orthopedic doctor.
Get some meds so you can sleep at night.
Search medical forum (use 'rotator' as search word) and you'll pull up a recent thread of mine there.
Cuff tears are diagnosed by MRI along with movement tests in an orthopod's office.
I sympathize - if anything pushes my shoulder back even a bit the pain is excruciating. I wish you the best.
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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I am so sorry you are in pain...I completely understand what you are going through.
I fell down the stairs at work in April and had a complete tear of on eof my rotator cuff muscles (there are actually four)
It too workers comp three months to approve surgery.
Her I am, six months post of and I still cant raise my arm past shoulder level.
Hoever, the pain is better.
A lot of my problem thogu is due to workers comp ednying physical therapy.
Physical therapy after a rotator cuff repai is SO important.
Are you scheduled for an MRI soon??
Posts: 68 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Nov 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
my doc said no to pt right now. he said not to lift anything at all, not to use the right arm. dang, i'm right handed.
he wants me to use ice when the pain is so severe.
i'm allergic to vicodan, percoset, you name it. it all makes me vomit and gives me migraines so he said just tough it out.
I AM IN PAIN!!!!! yep, caps here and i mean it....
i am using alleve.
the doc said after the swelling goes down and the sensitivity he will use tests. i just can't lay flat enough to have the tests right now. toooo painful
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Have you ever tried Ultracet? It's not a narcotic, but works similarly. It might help with the pain and not cause a reaction.
You aren't on Levaquin or another quinoline antibiotic, are you?
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
hon, i've tried that too....major headache and vomiting.
seems all pain killers really disagree with me.
ice and topicals are about all i can use right now.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Relafen is not a pain med, it's a muscle relaxer.
I don't like pain meds either, but Relafen will help ease the spasms.
Ask your doc for a sample and see if it helps.
At least at bedtime, so you can get some rest.
I do agree that right now while it's so new, PT might be best to hold off on...
Hope you find relief soon. It's not easy trying not to use your arm!!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by randibear: hon, i've tried that too....major headache and vomiting.
seems all pain killers really disagree with me.
ice and topicals are about all i can use right now.
Have you tried Lidoderm pain patches?
-------------------- Peggy
~ ~ Hope is a powerful medicine. ~ ~ Posts: 2775 | From MN | Registered: Apr 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
no, never heard of them. do you have to have a doctor's prescrip?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
I tore up my shoulder a week after my husband died on December 21st....I was sure it was rotator cuff or labrum tear...really painful..all supporting muscles feel like they are tearing as well...
Had MRI...radiologist report today says labrum and rotator cuff are fine, arthritis is present, but I have torn a tendon...so as the shoulder isnt' held in the position it is accustomed to by the tendon, the supporting muscles, which are complex are all out of whack, and spasming...it is agonizing...
I can take narcotics, but there are alternatives too...IF you can take aspirin there are topical ointments that can deliver it to the shoulder directly. Muscle relaxers help with the muscles complaining about having to do work that they aren't designed for...Arnica Gel helps. Ice helps, using the sling helps to support the shoulder and keep the supporting muscles in a more normal position. The hot tub is heaven...Not using the shoulder is important too....if you can. NO lifting is VIP...and I'm right handed too...and stubborn....
Don't forget accupuncture to relief the pain...
So, to recap..antinflamatories of any kind that you can tolerate are excellent, whether topical or oral...
Ice and heat alternating are good.
Immobilization is good.
Accupuncture is good.
Prolotherapy may be good too..an osteopath can help with that.
Ultram is a non narcotic that is good with pain....if you can take it.
Sleeping with pillows to support the shoulder in it's normal position helps me too....
Be gentle with yourself...
Get that MRI....
And I am SOOOOO sorry that you are going through this too..
Carol Ann
Posts: 1062 | From CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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