Shoulder Episode Round II

You may remember last month I fell and hurt my shoulder. They gave a round of strong anti-inflamation drugs. They really helped till last week. All hell broke loose then. The pain came back with the intent of making me cry like a baby...It almost did. Percoset only dulled it a bit.

I went to a specialist Wednesday and got scheduled me for an MRI when the comp providor ok's it. He tried to give me a steroid injection that I refused. Not gonna put that stuff in my body.

So I am chiling at the house till something happens. Hopefully I can be helped with PT. I don' t want to be cut on again.

The MRI is the best way to go for a diagnosis and long term plan, but the steroids can help a lot in the short term. They can help reduce the inflammation that causes much of the pain, and work a lot better than most other anti-inflammatory meds.
Don't worry, they're not the anabolic steroids that many athletes abuse.
I know how painful shoulder injuries can be, I really hope you get speedy relief of your pain.

I love me some steroids. They do wonders for allergies. I recommend taking the injection. The only side effect I've ever noticed is a slight increase in
appetite.

Naproxen Sodium (Aleve). It's a miracle drug for me for inflammation.

Good luck on the MRI - I hope it doesn't result in their rebuilding your shoulder - I hope it's just you need some PT and rest...

Hoping you feel better ASAP, Ken.

Will

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Originally Posted by cigarsarge

You may remember last month I fell and hurt my shoulder. They gave a round of strong anti-inflamation drugs. They really helped till last week. All hell broke loose then. The pain came back with the intent of making me cry like a baby...It almost did. Percoset only dulled it a bit.

I went to a specialist Wednesday and got scheduled me for an MRI when the comp providor ok's it. He tried to give me a steroid injection that I refused. Not gonna put that stuff in my body.

So I am chiling at the house till something happens. Hopefully I can be helped with PT. I don' t want to be cut on again.

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Ouch, sorry to hear your bad news!

I have issues with one of my shoulders too.........not as bad as yours though.......but enough that some nights I can't lay on that side. I've been fighting to avoid going under the knife too cause I hate it. I've had several surgeries and don't want any more.

I've had two coworkers who are also friends and fellow BOTL's who've both had major shoulder surgery. One, had it done 2+ years ago and the other just had it done two weeks ago. In the case of the guy that had it done a while back, he was out of work for 6 weeks (as will be the other fellow who just had his done 2 weeks ago) but the recovery took another year afterwards with constant physio.

I guess concentrating on the bright side of things Ken, cigars aren't heavy enough to cause further injury to that shoulder so you can at least still lift one to your mouth without making things any worse. :smiley2:

Get better!

Once you have a steroid shot you really have to think if the pain is that bad you want another one. I had a shot in my foot one time and it is something I will never forget but it help so much I have to say it was worth it. A year later I was having the same issues but not as bad the Dr. said I can give you a steroid shot......there was a long pause and I said I going buy a new pair of sneakers and take a week off from walking and see how I feel. Anyhow I hope you feel better soon.!:smiley37:

I'd take a steroid shot over percs any day, but that's me (and I've seen what perc abuse can do, and how easy it is for 'normal' folk to unknowingly drift into perc addiction). Hopefully the MRI will see what's what. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by craig

I'd take a steroid shot over percs any day, but that's me (and I've seen what perc abuse can do, and how easy it is for 'normal' folk to unknowingly drift into perc addiction). Hopefully the MRI will see what's what. Good luck!

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You are dead on about the percoset...I rarely take them. I have a horror story about someone I was close to and narcotics. I just don't like steroid injections...I have heard bad things about them. A bud of mine had one and the stuff crystalized and made the pain worse. I took one in my elbow once...Did not work.

I had a steroid shot and it helped me for quite a while. I believe a lot of it has to do with the doctor. Having been prescribed some pretty whicked pain killerss for kidney stones and surgery I can understand how somebody can become addicted to them. Candy told me I talked some serious shit to her and I remember thinking "wow these are good"

The MRI revealed my rotator cuff is partially torn. The doc said I needed the shot in the shoulder so I got it. If it don't work I get to have surgery.

That damn shot hurt like hell...

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Originally Posted by cigarsarge

The MRI revealed my rotator cuff is partially torn. The doc said I needed the shot in the shoulder so I got it. If it don't work I get to have surgery.

That damn shot hurt like hell...

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Here's hoping that does the trick for you!!!

Well...The shot as a walk in the park compaired to the aftermath. The doc said the pain would prolly get worse after the shot for a couple of days. Holy crap...I can't raise my arm at at all without uttering a profanity. I got up at 0730 yesterday...Got the shot at 1630 and have not slept since due to the pain. I am pretty grumpy. Had errands to run today...No go on those.

It is good to utter the occasional profanity!

Went back to the doc to follow up...The shoulder is about 50% better. He recommended surgery to get it up to snuff. I go under the knife the Monday before Thanksgiving exactly a year from my neck surgery.

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Originally Posted by cigarsarge

Went back to the doc to follow up...The shoulder is about 50% better. He recommended surgery to get it up to snuff. I go under the knife the Monday before Thanksgiving exactly a year from my neck surgery.

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Damn!

I'm very sorry to hear that! Surgery, even the 'minor' kind is never pleasant. The good news is though, it should help.

The one friend who just had the surgery is coming along fine and after about 4 weeks, but is still having to go very slow and easy on the recovery and physio.

My coworker and friend, Les, tells me he's about 90 to 95% strength-wise in that shoulder and the best part is, no more chronic pain. He now sleeps through the night and is very pleased with his surgery. This about 2 years post surgery. From the experience Les had a couple years back with his, I'd say follow the physiotherapist to the letter and do not try to use that arm for anything until you have the therapists OK. Take your time with rebuilding strength and don't try to rush it no matter how sure you are you can do something.

Tomorrow is the big day...I will prolly be away for awhile. Don't let the asshats and spammers take over. Looking forward to getting this over and done.

Good luck and heal up quick Sarge!

We will be thinking of you....rest up!

Don't hurt the other shoulder overcompensating. Avoid Churchills and stick to cigarillos.

Good luck and remember to take it easy on your shoulder afterwards, follow instructions and build it back up slowly!

I survived...Shoulder surgery is the most painful thing I ever experienced. Wisdom tooth pain is a walk in the park compared to that. Fortunately the MRI was wrong...The cuff was not torn. The force from the fall caused some tissue to get in between the cuff and the joint causing the pain. He cleaned up the debris from that. I go back and get the staples out the 20th and start rehab after. It is gonna cut down recovery time drastically as well as residual pain. I managed to go all day today without any meds till I got my sponge bath from the ole lady. The extra movement got me hurting as opposed to breathing causing the same.

Having to type one handed is a bitch...I will be around but not posting much. The owner of the B&M called today...Gonna bring me an Anejo to smoke as I can't drive for at least 6 weeks. Looking forward to that.

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Originally Posted by cigarsarge

...Fortunately the MRI was wrong...The cuff was not torn. The force from the fall caused some tissue to get in between the cuff and the joint causing the pain. He cleaned up the debris from that. I go back and get the staples out the 20th and start rehab after. It is gonna cut down recovery time drastically as well as residual pain...

Having to type one handed is a bitch...I will be around but not posting much. The owner of the B&M called today...Gonna bring me an Anejo to smoke as I can't drive for at least 6 weeks. Looking forward to that.

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Congrats on the results and good prognosis. Don't rush the recovery time though. I did that with a compound fracture of my tibia/fibula (per the doctor's instructions). Not recommended unless you want a repeat performance.

You may learn to enjoy the one-handed typing. I've typed with only my left hand for 23+ years while using the mouse or puck with my right. I'm not thee fastest typist, but faster than many two-handers I know. Plus you'll eventually be able to hold a cigar as you type.:smiley4: And kudos for the B&Mer.:smiley20:

Glad to hear that you're on the mend. Rest up!

You only need one arm to pass out a good ass-whoopin'. Stay strong Sarge!