[carlingman]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the replies and will address the questions below.

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Rammie will probably disagree, but I recently had several sessions with an Osteopath which did a lot of good for my sore shoulder & neck. If you want your insurance to pay for it, the GP will need to refer you to one (BUPA paid for mine ).

Cheers, first time it happened three years ago I did go the GP route, then tablets then physio then osteo then private (BUPA) and then cortisone and job done.

Originally Posted by Salu

First question is how old are you? This gives me some indication of whether the shoulder pain is likely to be degenerative or from an injury. Secondly, how did you "develop" this pain? Sudden onset? Gradually increasing or from an injury etc?

Without a proper history and examination it's hard to comment accurately but my initial feeling is that there is more than one thing going on here. The steroid injection will have likely reduced the acute inflammation in the tendon sheath by now but it would be unlikely to have precipitated a neurological problem ie tingling. You really need an examination to establish what is causing this numbness and until you have had this I wouldn't advise excessive exercise.

How long until you are seen?

36 this year, this time the pain started by waking up one morning nearly 4 weeks ago with stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulder and then unbearable pain in the shoulder and went private back to BUPA thinking bypassing the GP would give me an instant relief cortisone injection which worked the last time.

After an examination then some anti inflammatory tablets then another cortisone injection and instant relief again but it has in the last fortnight reoccurred.

The numbness is more of stiffness in the lower wrist area which happens after nights sleep etc.

I am now steering clear of the excessive exercise until I am seen by the GP which will now be next Thursday.

Originally Posted by lilacsocks

Have you ever had a firm diagnosis? The injections cure the symptoms, but what is causing them? If you haven't had an x-ray then I'd push for one when you see the Doc
Good luck and hope it gets better soon!

Thanks I need some good luck but not had an X Ray this time around but last time nothing unusual showed up so they told me.

Originally Posted by Ramrod

You need to see someone who can accurately diagnose shoulder problems. Most GPs can't, same goes for many physios, osteos and chiros. If you go private then before you make an appointment make sure that the therapist you are going to see is good with shoulder problems.
In the meantime try not to provoke the pain.......

Thanks, thatâ₠¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s why me Drs appointment is so far away as the Senior Practice partner is approaching retirement and only works two days a week and is an orthopaedic specialist for the last thirty years and knows my full case history.

I have had three operations under his guidance in my younger days on my hips and have had them pinned etc and been warned due to the family history will at some point in later life be prone to rheumatoid arthritis.

Originally Posted by Salu

For a second I thought you were going to say...."Most GPs can't, same goes for many physios, osteos.....but Chiros can! Phone 071 234..."

I see what you are saying about accurate diagnosis and practitioner selection. However in this case the steroid injection brought symptomatic relief suggesting it was accurately placed.

I think he should stay with his current practitioner for the moment. Again, it's tricky over the net to work out what's going on. I'd like to know how long the numbness lasts for example...

Most of this answered above but the numbness is more of an ache/stiffness.

I have noticed today though when sitting the dull ache and pain is more in the upper arm muscle region but if I tilt my neck back the pain becomes more sever in the shoulder area.

Will let you know how it goes and when I get to see the quack.

Thanks again all.