Frozen Shoulder

Hi, i have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder after being in pain for 6 months, the doctor said it is much more common in diabetics but we dont know why.... so my question is, do you guys know why? and does anyone have any tips to make myself better?, i was given a sheet for arthritus exercises, when i asked if it was a form of arthritus she just said no lol

Andy12345 wrote:Hi, i have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder after being in pain for 6 months, the doctor said it is much more common in diabetics but we dont know why.... so my question is, do you guys know why? and does anyone have any tips to make myself better?, i was given a sheet for arthritus exercises, when i asked if it was a form of arthritus she just said no lol

Hi mate!

I found this for you which might give a possible explanation{Albeit small} as to why we diabetics are more susceptible to developing this condition...A snippet from the article states...

"No one knows precisely what causes it. But scientists think it may have something to do with excess glucose building up in the shoulder and essentially gluing collagen fibers together, restricting movement. Diabetics seem to develop more aggressive cases."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/health/05real.html?_r=0

Not much use I know mate but it may give a small insight into this for you.

I have it too. My mate who is a chiropractor said yes much more common in diabetics, often women and often left shoulder. I guess it is some sort of inflammation that high sugar levels precipitates then once it starts you try and protect it by not moving etc so it gets more restricted. I found these exercises helpful. http://www.orthop.washington.edu/?q=patient-care/articles/shoulder/home-exercises-for-the-stiff-shoulder.html

Andy12345 wrote:Hi, i have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder after being in pain for 6 months, the doctor said it is much more common in diabetics but we dont know why.... so my question is, do you guys know why? and does anyone have any tips to make myself better?, i was given a sheet for arthritus exercises, when i asked if it was a form of arthritus she just said no lol

Sorry to hear this Andy.

As a non medical person and a non diabetic I can only comment on what friends have told me.

Apparently diabetics are more prone and it could be something to do with the thickening of connective tissue, similar but not the same as dupuytrens contracture. It can affect either shoulder but most common it is the non-dominant shoulder that is, i.e. left shoulder in a right-handed person. In some cases the condition can develop in the other shoulder - I hope it will not for you.

I don't think frozen shoulder is a form of arthritis, but according to a friend who is also a physiotherapist it is common to use exercises that are given to those who suffer with arthritis. Painkillers can help reduce pain but of course care should be taken as some tablets affect blood sugar numbers (vicious circle).

Like I said I'm no expert, hopefully fellow diabetics may be able to help.

But I wish you fit and well soon  

All the best Jan

Jan1 wrote:

Andy12345 wrote:Hi, i have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder after being in pain for 6 months, the doctor said it is much more common in diabetics but we dont know why.... so my question is, do you guys know why? and does anyone have any tips to make myself better?, i was given a sheet for arthritus exercises, when i asked if it was a form of arthritus she just said no lol

Sorry to hear this Andy.

As a non medical person and a non diabetic I can only comment on what friends have told me.

Apparently diabetics are more prone and it could be something to do with the thickening of connective tissue, similar but not the same as dupuytrens contracture. It can affect either shoulder but most common it is the non-dominant shoulder that is, i.e. left shoulder in a right-handed person. In some cases the condition can develop in the other shoulder - I hope it will not for you.

I don't think frozen shoulder is a form of arthritis, but according to a friend who is also a physiotherapist it is common to use exercises that are given to those who suffer with arthritis. Painkillers can help reduce pain but of course care should be taken as some tablets affect blood sugar numbers (vicious circle).

Like I said I'm no expert, hopefully fellow diabetics may be able to help.

But I wish you fit and well soon  

All the best Jan

Thankyou Jan

i couldnt remember what she said it was but it was dupuytrens contracture! cool now i can look that up, she then started calling it frozen shoulder so i figured it was the same thing, interesting to hear you say its different, it is in my non dominant side too

ok that weird google says its in the hands, maybe she meant its similar, confusing

This is the site where I found some really good back exercises when I had to walk with a shopping trolley to move, much better than the arthritis ones:-

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00071


I could only find wrist ones for the dupuytrens wotsit though

zand wrote:This is the site where I found some really good back exercises when I had to walk with a shopping trolley to move, much better than the arthritis ones:-

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00071


I could only find wrist ones for the dupuytrens wotsit though

Thankyou Zand

I have found to my dismay that when diagnosed with diabetes, EVERYTHING is apparently related to it. If I ever see the doc about anything, it's because of my diabetes. Even dentist and optician tell me we're prone to have problems. To be honest, I don't believe them all ! I think it's just an easy cop out and saves them having to properly treat and diagnose !

hehe your right

I have frozen shoulder - have had it since about last October.  My doctor told me itcan last up to 3 years.  It goes througn three stages.

Phase one - the freezing stage which is painful,.
Phase two  - the frozen stage where it is difficult to move if at all.  I found getting dressed difficult, putting on coats,  reaching round behind for anything even driving was difficult.
Phase three -the thawing out stage.  That is where Iam now.  It can still be painful but not as bad and I don't have full movement but at least I can now wash my hair and put coats and cardigans on.

I was referred to the physio and the first one I saw was lovely and gave me some exercises to do - mainly pushing against the wall in various ways.  The second one I saw told me there was absolutely nothing they could do and it was just a matter of time.  Take painkillers she said.  I said I didn't really want to keep taking painkillers for the next however many months it would take to improve and her answer was put up with the pain then. I wasn't impressed.  Anyway now nearly a year later things are much improved.  I can't raise my arm straight up in the air but I am nearly there, I can't lie on my left side in bed and it hurts a bit if I put any weight on itto push myself up but it is so much better than it was. I am hoping that eventually I will get full movement back but at least now I am not in constant pain. I never really did the exercises but do keep trying to stretch up. Things will improve Andy, just keep doing any exercises you find helps.

I don't know if you've been asked before Andy but are you on statins ? The reason I ask is some of your symptoms remind me of my experience. When first diagnosed I was put on statins, I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which though it hadn't caused me much bother started to get worse then I had problems with my arm and pains in my neck shoulder and ended up unable to lift my arm above my shoulder. I was referred to a specialist and had EMG tests on my wrist and hand these were clear and my consultant said it could be Wartenberg's Syndrome:shock:  more painful EMG tests ensued on my arm which again were clear. While this was going on the many other side effects of stains began to appear, cue Google and I stopped statins and within two weeks everything was getting back to normal.

Hope you get sorted Andy

Graham

I had frozen shoulders (first the left, then about 3 months later, the right), plus I also have a very mild Dupetryn's Contracture in my left palm. All occurred before I was diagnosed with Type 2, but after a couple of prediabetes diagnoses, so my BG disregulation had been going on for a while. According to Dr Bernstein's paper on complications, tendon issues like carpal tendon are very common. Also "runner's knee" (IT band syndrome).

I would never want to live through the frozen shoulders again - I feel for you Andy.

For anyone interested, here is a link to Dr Bernstein's article on complications:
http://www.diabetes-book.com/articles/bernstein.pdf

Thanks Indie l did a quick google on the IT knee as l have awful knees. It isnt me but fits hub to a T so have an article on treatments will read it fully when l have a clear head.

janlyn wrote:I have frozen shoulder - have had it since about last October.  My doctor told me itcan last up to 3 years.  It goes througn three stages.

Phase one - the freezing stage which is painful,.
Phase two  - the frozen stage where it is difficult to move if at all.  I found getting dressed difficult, putting on coats,  reaching round behind for anything even driving was difficult.
Phase three -the thawing out stage.  That is where Iam now.  It can still be painful but not as bad and I don't have full movement but at least I can now wash my hair and put coats and cardigans on.

I was referred to the physio and the first one I saw was lovely and gave me some exercises to do - mainly pushing against the wall in various ways.  The second one I saw told me there was absolutely nothing they could do and it was just a matter of time.  Take painkillers she said.  I said I didn't really want to keep taking painkillers for the next however many months it would take to improve and her answer was put up with the pain then. I wasn't impressed.  Anyway now nearly a year later things are much improved.  I can't raise my arm straight up in the air but I am nearly there, I can't lie on my left side in bed and it hurts a bit if I put any weight on itto push myself up but it is so much better than it was.  I am hoping that eventually I will get full movement back but at least now I am not in constant pain.  I never really did the exercises but do keep trying to stretch up.  Things will improve Andy, just keep doing any exercises you find helps.

Thankyou Janlyn

not sure what stage I'm in hehe, it basically hurts a little bit all the time, a bit like having a headache in my shoulder, if i try to do anything like put my arm up or scratch my back or steer the truck hard it hurts a lot more, if i knock it or yank it (for example i was pulling up ivy and it gave way jolting my arm upwards) i am crippled over in pain for about a minute, it feels like i just dislocated my shoulder, but it goes off, thank you I'm glad the future is bright i must admit i was thinking arthritis and fearing having it forever

Hi Andy

Within a short time of diagnosis I developed a frozen right shoulder, (I thought it was down to too much casting at first LOL) very painful and lasted about three months. Shortly after that cleared up, the left shoulder flared up, but much milder this time and went in about a month. I put this down to the much improved BG numbers and time. There are various treatment options, (some a bit drastic like surgery) my advice would be to tough it out as your BG numbers are pretty much normal now and let time heal your shoulders. From what I have seen and read, good stable BG numbers tends to be the cure for much of the complications the betus sends our way.

All the best Eddie

graham64 wrote:I don't know if you've been asked before Andy but are you on statins ? The reason I ask is some of your symptoms remind me of my experience. When first diagnosed I was put on statins, I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which though it hadn't caused me much bother started to get worse then I had problems with my arm and pains in my neck shoulder and ended up unable to lift my arm above my shoulder. I was referred to a specialist and had EMG tests on my wrist and hand these were clear and my consultant said it could be Wartenberg's Syndrome:shock:  more painful EMG tests ensued on my arm which again were clear. While this was going on the many other side effects of stains began to appear, cue Google and I stopped statins and within two weeks everything was getting back to normal.

Hope you get sorted Andy

Graham

Thankyou Graham

I was taking atorvastatin but my cholesterol was 2.8 with trigs 0.6, the doctor reckoned i should carry on with them but after everything i read (like your post) i stopped taking them at christmas, i haven't had a cholesterol check since as I'm avoiding the the dn, so yes I'm statin free yay! lol

Indy51 wrote:I had frozen shoulders (first the left, then about 3 months later, the right), plus I also have a very mild Dupetryn's Contracture in my left palm. All occurred before I was diagnosed with Type 2, but after a couple of prediabetes diagnoses, so my BG disregulation had been going on for a while. According to Dr Bernstein's paper on complications, tendon issues like carpal tendon are very common. Also "runner's knee" (IT band syndrome).

I would never want to live through the frozen shoulders again - I feel for you Andy.

For anyone interested, here is a link to Dr Bernstein's article on complications:
http://www.diabetes-book.com/articles/bernstein.pdf

Thankyou Indy

i can't imagine having it both sides tbh that must be awful i also have bad knees hence changing from running to cycling lol I'm just falling apart

eddie1 wrote:Hi Andy

Within a short time of diagnosis I developed a frozen right shoulder, (I thought it was down to too much casting at first LOL) very painful and lasted about three months. Shortly after that cleared up, the left shoulder flared up, but much milder this time and went in about a month. I put this down to the much improved BG numbers and time. There are various treatment options, (some a bit drastic like surgery) my advice would be to tough it out as your BG numbers are pretty much normal now and let time heal your shoulders. From what I have seen and read, good stable BG numbers tends to be the cure for much of the complications the betus sends our way.

All the best Eddie

Thankyou Eddie

Yes toughing it out is normally the way to go huh, too much casting? i wished! lol glad it its goes aways on its own eventually , thats my favourite kind of illness

Andy12345 wrote:

graham64 wrote:I don't know if you've been asked before Andy but are you on statins ? The reason I ask is some of your symptoms remind me of my experience. When first diagnosed I was put on statins, I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which though it hadn't caused me much bother started to get worse then I had problems with my arm and pains in my neck shoulder and ended up unable to lift my arm above my shoulder. I was referred to a specialist and had EMG tests on my wrist and hand these were clear and my consultant said it could be Wartenberg's Syndrome:shock:  more painful EMG tests ensued on my arm which again were clear. While this was going on the many other side effects of stains began to appear, cue Google and I stopped statins and within two weeks everything was getting back to normal.

Hope you get sorted Andy

Graham

Thankyou Graham

I was taking atorvastatin but my cholesterol was 2.8 with trigs 0.6, the doctor reckoned i should carry on with them but after everything i read (like your post) i stopped taking them at christmas, i haven't had a cholesterol check since as I'm avoiding the the dn, so yes I'm statin free yay! lol

Andy with a TC of 2.8 don't think your next tests will come out to bad, your trigs are very good do you know what your HDL and LDL levels were?

I'm lucky in a way after reeling out the list of side effects I'd suffered my  doc did not even bother to try me on different statin he just put me down as statin intolerant
Best of luck with your shoulder mate.

graham64 wrote:

Andy12345 wrote:

graham64 wrote:I don't know if you've been asked before Andy but are you on statins ? The reason I ask is some of your symptoms remind me of my experience. When first diagnosed I was put on statins, I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which though it hadn't caused me much bother started to get worse then I had problems with my arm and pains in my neck shoulder and ended up unable to lift my arm above my shoulder. I was referred to a specialist and had EMG tests on my wrist and hand these were clear and my consultant said it could be Wartenberg's Syndrome:shock:  more painful EMG tests ensued on my arm which again were clear. While this was going on the many other side effects of stains began to appear, cue Google and I stopped statins and within two weeks everything was getting back to normal.

Hope you get sorted Andy

Graham

Thankyou Graham

I was taking atorvastatin but my cholesterol was 2.8 with trigs 0.6, the doctor reckoned i should carry on with them but after everything i read (like your post) i stopped taking them at christmas, i haven't had a cholesterol check since as I'm avoiding the the dn, so yes I'm statin free yay! lol

Andy with a TC of 2.8 don't think your next tests will come out to bad, your trigs are very good do you know what your HDL and LDL levels were?

I'm lucky in a way after reeling out the list of side effects I'd suffered my  doc did not even bother to try me on different statin he just put me down as statin intolerant
Best of luck with your shoulder mate.

Thanks Graham,

I will try and dig out my last results at home tonight and have a look, i can't remember what they were tbh but i know they ad gotten an awful lot better than they were originally