Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karen W. on 02/05/2008 06:57:06

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/05/2008 06:57:06

Well the verdicts are in on my left arm and shoulder.
 the damage in my Rotator cup is extensive. I have developed more damage over time and have several cists under the shoulder bone ball joint etc. there are several lessions or tears in the muscles. and I have developed some very severe arthritis in the joints of the shoulder and also the elbow joint of my left arm.
 the Doctor said I need a shoulder replacement, but that because of my extensive health  problems heart, infections, sleep apnea, two aneurysms,, etc etc.. that I am not a candidate and ,NO Doctor will touch me to try the surgery.
 He said that I would not likely survive it. due to all the other medical problems.

 So a friend has suggested I find some kind of alternitive therapy that may help with the intense pain that is causing me major discomfort!

 The cortizone did not help.... the physical therapy.. helped some then blew it up into spasming pain again...  My body is on overload from  the pain killers which was effecting my kidney and liver....  I am at my wits end.... any suggestions wold be welcome.
Th orthopedic specialist said that I need to by a special recliner that will allow me to sit up to sleep and protect the shoulde and sleep with the arm straight out. he said there is nothing we can do..... I have to try to live with the pain.... and the loss of use of the shoulder. he said I will never regain range of motion that the damage is to severe..

 he also says the nerves are in a bad way and that it is causing tingling in my hands and fingers. he called it some kind of thing similar to carpul tunnel but opposite side effecting th pinky and next finer..some kind of tunnel thingy......

help what else can be done to control pain etc...

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: another_someone on 02/05/2008 10:32:57

Given discussions that were going on in another thread, it may not help the shoulder, but might help the pain, you could try hypnosis, or maybe acupuncture.

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/05/2008 12:21:00

Thanks George...I will consider both options if there is a possibility that it will help live with this  arm, in this state of pain.

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: JimBob on 02/05/2008 19:25:49

Acupuncture and physical therapy in water where the resistance is lower would help.

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 03/05/2008 02:06:22

thanks... he tells me the range of motion will not get better but to try to keep it where it is.. It cannot support weight in certain positions pulling and pushing are basically out... over my head behind my back are pretty much impassible .. unhooking my bra has become impossible until I turn the whole thing around I need a bra unhooker. sometimes I can't get my clothes on right on the left side...and struggle with the wall to push my shirts down or get my pants up on my hip... some days are better then others depending on the pain meds.

I want to gain back some muscle tone without loosing the ability to do little things like hold a glass or use my fingers to so I want to know what little things are possible to strengthen that .. I tried those hand squeeze exorcizer that helped some when I can squeezes it but after a day or two it sends me back to the drawing board screwing the arm up again...

water therapy is possible...

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: RD on 06/05/2008 15:21:43

A TENS machine may reduce the pain, avoiding nephrotoxic drugs.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/tens1.shtml

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 06/05/2008 15:30:04

Thanks RD I have had the electrical stimulation and at the time had had a cortizone shot that worked for a short period but then failed to continue when the problem became worse..

 I do not know if repeated therapy extended longer then 8 weeks would help I did it for 8 weeks twice a day for five days a week.. never noticed much pain relief some but not a lot.

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 06/05/2008 16:27:02

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/771563.stm

Karen go out and grab some stinging nettles, use the nettles on your skin around the painful areas and boil the nettles, stems and roots to drink the tea. This is a very very strong painkiller, anti inflammatory, diuretic. Also use cold compress, making sure the freezing bag does not burn the skin by placing in a towel. This will rapidly reduce swelling.

Test the nettles on your arm first to make sure you don’t have an allergy to them before going for gold.

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 06/05/2008 18:20:45

I have a horrible time coming in contact with stinging nettles it is an old enemy of mine,,,, I swell and itch terribly when in contact with the nastiness of it! LOL.. never tried the tea though cause I can't handle the stuff as it is...

I don't know if another diuretic would be safe given the fact that I take so many now and am having difficulty keeping my potassium level in the proper range, with out another diuretic it may cause even more trouble keeping hydrated as well as keeping potassium level within safe limits...

I already do ice it, and it can help sometimes.. but is not practical all day long......

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/05/2008 21:17:50

Quote from: RD on 06/05/2008 15:21:43

A TENS machine may reduce the pain, avoiding nephrotoxic drugs.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/tens1.shtml

Is this the same thing they used in physical therapy.. it seems like the same thing....?

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: MonikaS on 09/05/2008 15:39:32

In Germany we have so called "Schmerzambulanzen" specialist pain management clinics. The basic goal is - when anything else has failed - to teach the patients to live with the pain. They have specialist medical doctors, physiotherapists and psychologist on staff.
Perhaps you can find something similar.

Monika

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/05/2008 16:25:15

Thanks Monika thats what I am looking to find!

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: MonikaS on 09/05/2008 16:46:24

Here are some sites I've found, they look quakery free and full of useful information.

American Pain Society
http://www.ampainsoc.org/ (http://www.ampainsoc.org/)
They have a long list of helpful links here: http://www.ampainsoc.org/people/ (http://www.ampainsoc.org/people/)

On this site they have a pain clinic locator
http://www.pain.com/ (http://www.pain.com/)

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/05/2008 17:05:00

The first link is cool as is the second except for the closest locations  on the second link are

all 3 and 1/2 to 6 hours away from me and that distance really takes a tole on me...

Thank you Monika

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: MonikaS on 09/05/2008 17:41:08

Quote from: Karen W. on 09/05/2008 17:05:00

The first link is cool as is the second except for the closest locations  on the second link are

all 3 and 1/2 to 6 hours away from me and that distance really takes a tole on me...

Thank you Monika

That is a long drive, indeed, but calling them and finding something closer to your location doesn't hurt. I really hope you find a solution. *crossing fingers, toes and eyes*
Monika

Title: Can someone recomend altenatives to shoulder replacement?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/05/2008 20:29:52

Thanks Moika it is worth a try.. and thank you so much!