Shoulder problems

[ZenSojourner]

Have you tried hot/cold, ibuprofen, etc., to help blood flow, reduce inflammation, etc?

Yes, heat seems to give me some relief but it's a tough area to keep the heating pad on. Also, in a misguided attempt to protects us from ourselves (those of us who are idiots, at any rate), the new heating pad I bought has limiter circuits that (1) keep it from heating up as much as I would prefer and (2) keep shutting it off after about 10 minutes.

Ibuprofen et al do not seem to do anything noticeable but I've not objection to trying again. That was back when it was at it's worst and I had total immobility due to the pain.

Finally, a bit of a rant as to how you got hurt:

<snip>

Given how short hospital stays are these days, and that most people's homes are not set up for mobility impairments due to illness or injury, it seems that family members should be coached on the same lifting techniques that the professionals use. Doesn't make sense to send somebody home so that the person taking care of them gets hurt. Thank goodness my sister is an EMT or I would not have been able to get into the house when I got out of the hospital!

I ASKED for this sort of training and was told it wouldn't do me any good! I asked about lift belts as well, and also for training to help get my dad up if he falls. I was told there was no training that would help.

Right now I'm concerned because we're going off hospice and that means no more personal aid for my dad, which means I have to help him shower. This was impossible for me to do a few months ago as I couldn't lift my arm at all. It'll be hard even now. It worries me.

I can wash my hair again, which is such a relief. But I still have difficulty reaching around behind me. Sometimes I backslide a bit and can't raise it all the way up but it seems to get better in a couple of days. It's just sort of off and on at this point.

I do try to move it frequently throughout the day in addition to just using it in normal daily activities. It is much better than it was but the pain never has really gone away and I really don't have full range of motion. I expect to be able to ride bike again, but I don't think I'll be doing any kayaking anymore.

Thanks for the advice.

Sojourner

PS - I've ordered the books on trigger points. I always thought that was quackery, but I've about come to the conclusion that most mainstream medicine is, too. If it doesn't help hopefully it at least won't hurt, LOL!