This blog was designed for my Stampin' Up! business and I post very little personal information on it. However, I have been unable to stamp for many weeks and thus have been unable to show you new projects using our wonderful new products. Many of you have emailed to ask if everything is OK and I thought it was time to fill you all in.
For the past four months, I have been dealing with severe chronic shoulder pain, continued loss of mobility due to the pain and increased stiffness in my shoulders to the point where I cannot even fix my hair. Both of my shoulders are affected but my right shoulder (my stamping arm) is much worse than my left. Getting dressed, taking a shower and regular daily cleaning/vacuuming have become very challenging.
I have seen three doctors, a chiropractor/accupressurist and a physical therapist and have finally been diagnosed with Adhesive Capsulitis or Frozen Shoulder. Unfortunately, 70% of the people affected with this condition are women between the ages of 40-60 and I fit right in there.
The recovery process is long and extremely painful. The pain is exacerbated at night due to the pressure on the shoulders and thus, I have been unable to sleep at night for more than a few hours which is taking its toll on me. Unfortunately for me, mild prescription pain killers do nothing for the pain and I cannot physically function on stronger ones.
My poor kiddos are wondering if I will ever be back to normal as my patience is nearly non existent. Thankfully my darling daughter (age 10) has been fixing my hair for me and told me that she will do it for as long as I need her to. :-)
I am committed to working through this and am hopeful that over time, I will get my mobility back and leave all the pain behind. I will stamp when I am able, create blog posts and send out my newsletters as often as I can.
Thank you for concern and support, it means a great deal to me that complete strangers are concerned about me. 🙂
I will continue with my few scheduled classes and hope to continue getting better so I can get back to my daily blog posting as I love stamping and not being able to stamp has been a real bummer for me.
If you need any stamping supplies, you can order them through my Online Store.
I feel your pain! I’ve had the same diagnosis in both shoulders at separate times. The orthopedic surgeon recommended months of physical therapy, which helped to speed up the healing. He also recommended OTC naproxen sodium (Aleve, Naprosyn), which helped lessen the pain. Bless you in your recovery!
I can imagine what you’re going through. I also experienced this a few years ago, and vividly remember both the pain and sleep deprivation. Switching to a Tempurpedic mattress made a HUGE difference, and was well worth the expense. The memory foam construction eliminated pressure on the shoulder, and I could finally sleep through the night. Good luck with your recovery – it takes some time, but it will get better.
I’m so sorry to hear about what you’ve been going through these last few months. I’ve battled back problems off and on for awhile, but what you’re going through sounds much worse. I’m praying that the Lord will give you a quick and complete recovery!
I too have suffered with a frozen shoulder and know how hard it can be to do the basic daily things. Keep up with the physical therapy and do the exercises they tell you to do at home. They will help increase your mobility and the pain will also start lessening as you work out the frozen parts. Also put ice packs on your shoulders for 10-15 minutes at a time 1-2 times a day. (I found these huge ice packs at WalMart that just folded over my shoulders and got the back, front, and top all at once. I just sat on the couch and watched TV for 15 minutes while the ice worked its magic.) Doing this helped get rid of the majority of the pain within a couple of months. I was able to do most everything after a couple of months. I did four months of physical therapy and still occasionally do the exercises when my shoulders get sore.
Good Luck with your recovery!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. So sorry that you are dealing with this condition! I will certainly be thinking of you as you continue to recover 🙂
I’m so sorry! I will be thinking of you and hope that you get some sort of relief soon.
Thanks for sharing your story about your health. You were very lucky that your daughter fixed your hair. You need an easy exercise for your shoulder. Take easy and take care of yourself
So sorry to hear about your shoulder problem. Fortunately, I have not had to deal with that. I really feel for you. I hope that with the physical therapy and other things that this will be taken care of in a couple of months which I’m sure seems like forever. Hang in there, we are all pulling and praying for you.
Oh, that’s terrible!! I’ve been a ‘stalker’ of your blog for a while now…
Physio is definately the way to go… also, ask for some stronger pain meds so that you can sleep…. You may be able to make it through the day, but at night, you need somthing stronger so you can sleep and get better.
Hope you’re back stamping soon!!
Barb,
I am praying for you to get better soon.
Robin
I’m with you on the frustration of not being able to do daily tasks…let alone the pain! I hope therapy and the other treatments speed along your recovery. My father developed a frozen shoulder after he had a stroke – doctors say this is also common. However, for him, the solution was orthopaedic “surgery”… not sure if this could work for you. As I understand it, the doctor manipulated my dad’s shoulder in order to relieve the pain as well as release the ‘frozen’ elements. Yet, there was no incision; all just skill of the doctor…. It worked and my dad never had an issue again. Take one day at a time. I’ll keep you in my prayers!
So sorry to hear this, Barb! I wish I lived closer to you and could help you. Praying that you get relief soon and can get back to your regular activities.
Much love – shelly
I am so sorry to hear about what you have been going through. Will keep you in my prayers, so that you can get back to your normal activities. Tell you daughter that she is very special and to keep up the good work.
Sorry about the shoulder – I know how much that hurts. Here is a link to something I found last year (long after my shoulder problems were relieved). I don’t know anything more about it, but it may be worth a try. http://www.rotatoreliever.com/faqs.php?pageid=121&title=common_shoulder_injuries
Barb,
What a terrible spot you are in right now. I’m so sorry to hear you are experiencing so much pain.
Don’t worry about stamping; just get better soon.
I’ll be praying for you.
Barb, I too can sympathize. I’m on my 2nd frozen shoulder and it’s been over a year with this one. My first one cleared up in a year. Agree PT is very painful. This time I’ve had 2 cortisone shots which took away the pain when trying to sleep and helps you be able to do more in PT. It will get better. Will be thinking of you.