Medical-related Advice Sought

2054 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Wolfshead, Aug 17, 2007

Wolfshead

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2007

I'd appreciate receiving advice/opinions please.

In early May I injured my shoulder. Thought it would get better itself (like you do). In June I had to go back to the UK because of my mother's death - needless to say the hauling of suitcases, etc. probably exacerbated the injury and, because of the circumstances, nothing got done about my shoulder in June. Now I've been to the doctor (twice). Been sent for physiotherapy (which made it worse) and an x-ray (showed nothing). Seems as though I have a torn rotator cuff. I'm scheduled to go for an MRI on October 1 to confirm this. Meanwhile I can't get an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon for 6-8 months. There are three in Barrie (where I live) and none of them have even got to the point of reading my doctor's referral yet.

I'm basically one-armed at this stage. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to dress and shower myself. At the current rate of deterioration I don't think I'll be able to do either of those things in a couple of weeks. I'm in constant pain and unable to sleep because of it. When I asked the doctor for something to help alleviate the pain so I could sleep, he prescribed me anti-depressants which I REALLY don't want to take. I'm taking anti-inflammatories which do little if anything for the pain but have a profound effect on my digestive system. I'm going to massage therapy for the next three weeks (when my insurance coverage runs out) which helps to loosen the muscles around the affected area on a temporary basis.

Sorry for the long, whining post, but can anyone offer any advice? Not only is the constant pain getting to me but I'm seriously worried that I may end up being crippled for life if I don't get some medical help soon (I realise I could just be over-reacting because of the pain).

Thanks for reading.

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Dr.G.

· #2 · Aug 14, 2007

Wolfshead, I had the same injury. Believe me, you are NOT overreacting about the pain. My injury was repeated shovelling movements during the winter a few years ago in which we got 19 feet of snow. I had to cease any sort of shovelling, or gardening, for that matter, for six months. I found that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which I got over the counter at my local Shoppers, and which I got for my arthritic knees, worked wonders for my shoulder, for some reason.

For the past two winters, we have gotten nearly 34 feet of snow, and I was out there shovelling each time it snowed, and had no ill effects. I am even able to do heavy gardening once again.

SINC

· #3 · Aug 14, 2007 (Edited)

I have arthritic knees like Dr. G., but also the same condition in my lower back which cause extreme pain in my right hip, to the point I cannot walk more than a few steps during an attack.

I took anti-inflammatories, but I disliked doing so, including Celebrex.

My doctor finally prescribed me Tylenol 3s and the pain relief has been great. I only take them when the pain is such that I cannot sleep or move, but they seem to have made my life easier. They last all day, but there is one side effect in that they tend to constipate you.

Interesting about the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate Dr. G. I may have to try that too.

Wolfshead

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 14, 2007

Thanks for the responses. I must admit I was expecting to be prescribed the T3s. Think I'll go back and ASK for them. I'll also try your recommendations too Dr. G. Part of the problem is that I don't have a family doctor - dealing with the walk-in clinics is a pain all of its own...

MACSPECTRUM

· #5 · Aug 14, 2007

I highly recommend my chiropractor / sport injury / naturopath

Morris Zubkewych

He's in Toronto, near High Park and I still go see him and I live north of Barrie

He is very proactive and uses aggresive techniques to help relieve pain and actually heal injuries quickly.

(416) 762-7591

Dr.G.

· #6 · Aug 14, 2007

Sinc, that's glucosamine with a "g". A copying miscue I assume.

SINC

· #7 · Aug 14, 2007

Dr.G. said:
Sinc, that's glucosamine with a "g". A copying miscue I assume.

Yep, it was so.

MacDoc

· #8 · Aug 14, 2007 (Edited)

I'll second Morris - he's less a chiro than an injury therapist - never failed me yet.
My sciatica flared up - would not settle. One session - 40 minutes - $20 with his electric suckers and about a day later I was back to no pain and it has stayed that way.
Doesn't talk much - just does the job - he's got so much experience - I must have dealt with him for 25 years now.
I'm not much on chiros but Morris knows the body incredibly well.

Torn cuff tho is a bear.

Ice packs should help ( remarkable at times )and I'd mix around the nsaids if you are taking any number. Active yogourt can keep stomach issues to a minimum if you are sensitive.

I find extra strength Ibuprofin for specific pain works better than Celebrex which I only use sparingly.

Glucosamine also a very good idea - I keep forgetting to take mine.

There is a walkin orthopedic in Mississauga if you are close - terrific hospital.

Credit Valley.

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CubaMark

· #9 · Aug 14, 2007

Not being a medical practicioner, I am sitting here wondering why on earth your doctor would prescribe anti-depressants for a shoulder injury?

Dr.G.

· #10 · Aug 14, 2007

Sinc, lucosamine MUST be taken with Harpango procumbens, so that "g" makes a difference. It all goes back to 11th century folklore remedies to ward off vampires.

MasterBlaster

· #11 · Aug 14, 2007 (Edited)

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MasterBlaster

· #12 · Aug 14, 2007 (Edited)

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monokitty

· #13 · Aug 14, 2007

MasterBlaster said:
Time to get a new doctor?

Many doctors believe they are above the basic laws of chemistry and biology, unfortunately, their patients aren't.

Some drugs have multiple side-benefits, besides their primary objective. Anti-depressants may be one of those, but I can't say for sure. The OP may be able to elaborate.

MasterBlaster

· #14 · Aug 14, 2007 (Edited)

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SINC

· #15 · Aug 14, 2007

Dr.G. said:
Sinc, lucosamine MUST be taken with Harpango procumbens, so that "g" makes a difference. It all goes back to 11th century folklore remedies to ward off vampires.

Must be working Dr. G.

Haven't come across a vampire in years.

MasterBlaster

· #16 · Aug 14, 2007 (Edited)

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MACSPECTRUM

· #17 · Aug 15, 2007

MasterBlaster said:
Its the high sulphur content. Keeps Vampires away much like Garlic.

sulphur and sugars/carbohydrates are an explosive combination

rgray

· #18 · Aug 15, 2007 (Edited)

CubaMark said:
Not being a medical practicioner, I am sitting here wondering why on earth your doctor would prescribe anti-depressants for a shoulder injury?

MasterBlaster said:
Time to get a new doctor?

Many doctors believe they are above the basic laws of chemistry and biology, unfortunately, their patients aren't.

Doctors are notorious for NOT reading research. They tend (and there are studies to show this) to rely on drug salesmen for their pharmaceutical information. Pharmaceutical companies are always looking to expand the uses of their products.

There is indeed medical/pharmaceutical research on the use of low-dose antidepressants for chronic pain - patients taking low-dose antidepressants report (and this word is italicised because it is significant) less pain. There is some debate about how this effect works from psychology researchers. The question posed by psychologists is this: are the patients actually feeling less pain or are they just reporting less. In other words what is actually being treated - the complaint (the actual pain itself) or just the complaining (the reporting of the pain). Pain is unquantifiable. It is measured in terms of "mild", "moderate", or "severe". This is a hard question to answer.

I have myself been offered this low-dose antidepressant therapy for pain but I began my research analysis career at a major psychiatric hospital looking at data from clinical trials of anti-depressants and based on that experience, and speaking only for myself, I told that doctor that the only way they would EVER get any kind of antidepressant into to me would be to shove it up my @$$ after I'm dead!!!!!

(I did get a new doctor!!

)

There is also literature on use of cannabis for this kind of pain. Subjects report that the pain is still there but the can focus past it and get on with their day. There is something to be said for this effect, if not for cannabis (no pot hater flames please), because one of the big dangers of analgesic therapy is that patients injure themselves further because their ability to feel Nature's warning is reduced.

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MACSPECTRUM

· #19 · Aug 15, 2007

There is also literature on use of cannabis for this kind of pain. Subjects report that the pain is still there but the can focus past it and get on with their day. There is something to be said for this effect, if not for cannabis (no[t] pot hater flames please), because one of the big dangers of analgesic therapy is that patients injure themselves further because their ability to feel Nature's warning is reduced.

uh oh....

MasterBlaster

· #20 · Aug 15, 2007 (Edited)

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