why do I have shoulder pain ,left front and top of my arm?Anyone else had this?Do you keep still or move ?

Question

I have severe pain in my shoulder which was not caused by an injury. its very bad at night .its only bearable with ibuprofen every 4 hours.I want to know what treatment works.I want to avoid going to a doctor I am in the middle east on holiday for 5 weeks.Thank you..

i had it about 2 weeks ago ,i think from carrying heavy loads on left side .(it got better after a week and has started again since i picked up some very heavy shopping day before yesterday.)Its worse than it was before. I cannot raise my arm and the is very bad ..

Answer 1

it sounds like you have pulled a muscle, you must move it or the muscles will get stiff

Answer 2

Sounds to me that you have a touch of Bursitis. It is inflammation of the Bursa sacs that allow the muscles to slid over one another when the joint is in motion. I suffer from problems with my shoulder for the last couple of years and I can tell you that even the best home rememdies need help with a shot from the doctor. This is what I have been told to do by my doctor.

Get you some Alieve. For the first few days take 2 Alieve in the morning and then take another 2 in the evening like before you go to bed and make sure that you have eaten something when you take this since like any antiflammatory it can upset your stomach. You need to make sure that you keep you arm in some motion. Don't do any heavy lifting with but you need to make sure that you take some hot showers and do some stretching and strengthing excerises to help the shoulder to heal.

Use hot packs (such as a wet towel in the microwave or heated with your hot tap water) and place it on the shoulder area for 20 minutes. Then place an ice pack on the shoulder 20 mintues and switch back and forth. For the stretching excerises try to place your hand in the small of your back. Once you have your hand there pull up your shoulders and hold for a count of 5. You can research some additional excerises on WebMD as well as other resources.

Once you have taken the Alieve for about 3-4 days like that start cutting back the dosage to where you are only taking one pill in the morning and one pill at night. It will take some time for the pain in your shoulder to get better. And this should work until you are able to return home. Just make sure that you remember to keep the shoulder in motion because if not then you can cause more damage to it since the muscles will become stiff.

Answer 3

I really do feel for you, having had what sounds like the same problem, where any movement of the arm caused intense pain.
It sounds like what is commonly termed a frozen shoulder, especially when resting in bed does not ease the pain and there is just no position that is comfortable.
I had this quite a few times, and while ibuprofen helps the inflammation, it does not cure the problem long term, and may cause stomach upsets.
The long term answer for me, to avoid repeats of this problem, was to start taking Glucosamine, this encourages new growth in joints so they can repair themselves.
You could also try treating yourself with reflexology. If you can't reach your feet, then ask whoever's with you to do it for you.
The reflex area for the shoulder is the little padded area on the sole of the foot just under the little toe. Press quite firmly all round this area and out to the side of the foot with the tip of your thumb. You may feel some movement in this area and even hear some little cracks, this is quite normal, and you can do absolutely no harm by massaging this area and can do it a few times a day until the problem eases. (I am a trained reflexologist).
Heat pads or even a hot water bottle helps ease the pain temporarily.
I do sincerely hope you get some relief from your pain.

Answer 4

That might sound a bit outlandish to you but try traditional Chinese medicine.

There are a few of things that a qualified practitioner could do for you, from use of bamboo cups or glass cups and massage to treat your muscles, to using needles (acupuncture).

I have had many injuries over time, whether from sports injuries to, like you, carrying heavy loads. Traditional Chinese Medicine has never failed to make me feel better, but of course you need to find a good practitioner.

I have never had acupuncture myself, the bamboo treatment has been enough. basically how it works is that the practitioner will create some vacuum in a bamboo cup and apply the cup at specific points. In eastern thought, this frees the energy flow. You will have some bruising, but there is no pain. The relief is almost instant, although you are not totally healed, your body would be well on it' way to healing.

If you don't know any traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner near your area, your second option would be a physiotherapist.

Answer 5

I have dealt with that for a while. I was in a bike accident, and thought I broke my acromium (I might have misspelled that, but it is the pointy part at the front of the shoulder.) Turns out, I was diagnosed with bursitis. The Dr. had me rest it for a week and then do strengthening exercises. No real weight is needed, it's just a matter of working it lightly. It could be something else, but it sounds the same as mine. But be ware. I hurt mine more than a year and a half ago, and it still bothers me. It took six months for it to feel significantly better. You may want to try a firmer mattress. That helped me sleep. It was less comfortable, but my shoulder didn't hurt. Sorry, but you really should see a Dr. or physical therapist.

Answer 6

I wish I had this 2 years ago when I damaged my rotator cuff while showing off. This is very detailed and really gives you the techniques you need to sort out your own shoulder issues and a lot more info such as preventing further injuries. If you have a shoulder keeping you awake at night you'll know it's no laughing matter.

Stop Shoulder Pain Permanently?

Answer 7

Go to a Doctor or A&E now. Pain in the shoulder and top of arm can indicate problems with blood flow. It could be linked to a possible heart problem.

If the pain radiates into your jaw, skip the Doctor. Call an Ambulance now.

Answer 8

I had an inflammed muscle in my shoulder for a few weeks and like you Ibuprofen would ease the pain. I went to the doctor and he told me not to immobilise it as this would make it worse and cause it to seize up. As mine hurt most when lifting my arm above shoulder height. He advised me to continue with the Ibuprofen, to avoid lifting my arm above my shoulder for a few weeks and to do some exercises. The exercises he gave me (and I hope this makes sense) was to lean forward with my arm dangling losely and swing it in small circles for about 5 minutes. After about a month my shoulder was back to normal and I've not even had a twinge for weeks.

Hope this helps and enjoy your holiday.

Answer 9

Have you been bitten by anything recently, spider, bug, anything? Touched any strange plants with stingers?

If you can get your hands on Aleve, use some of that. It works 12 hours. It isn't a pain reliever, but it helps with inflammation that can cause pain. Also, Tylenol makes a 8 hour product too if you can find it. If not, try ice packs and don't sleep on that side.

Answer 10

Hi, a good place to look is ShoulderDoc Forum, (google it). I have had many problems with my shoulder, yours sounds like a torn rotator cuff, and yes it is very painful. I kept my shoulder mobile (although painful) untill I could gradually start to excercise to increase the strength in the localized muscles. This helps keep the joint in place. Please look at the above forum tho cos everyone seems to handle this problem differently. Also, taking glucosamine sulphate, is very benificial for all your joints.

Answer 11

if the pain persists it may be serious---if you have tingling in your fingers like a numbness at all go in now could be on set of stroke or heartattache---I thought I was just sleeping wrong and had a stroke a few days later--meanwhile take a bare asprin every day untill you get to the doctor