I have severe chronic shoulder pain....painkillers?

Question

I have had this severe shoulder pain for the past 7 years on and off but now more frequently occurring. Lasts about 2-3 months then takes a 2-3 month break and reoccurs. I have no insurance but see a Dr when it gets bad (like now). He did an X-ray and nothing showed and wanted an MRI but to expensive. Cortisone shot but he isnt too certain which part of the shoulder is actually affected. Honestly the pain migrates around my shoulder seeming to affect different spots each time. He had me on pain meds before with an anti inflammatory which I took at night because I couldnt sleep with it either. I am concerned because last time I was there (a few months ago) He seemed like he didnt want to prescribe me them again. I dont know what else to do without a proper diagnosis and so so much pain. I am in an excelerated medical program which I cant even work for insurance...

what do you think my shoulder problem is?
How can I NOT look like I am some narcotic junkie when I need pills?

I did not have any "injury" that I can remember. My job was labor intensive back then and I worked hard. Mostly repetative motion. Overhead heavy lifting. Things of that nature.

Answer 1

find a physical therapist or massage therapist who specilaizes in soft-tissue assessment. While they cannot, by law, diagnose your problem, they may be able to provide some insight as to what they think may be causing it. Then at least you'll have a place from which to start when making your decision as to what to do.

Answer 2

It's so hard to know what could be causing this pain. I would get a second opinion. There HAS to be something behind this pain. Since it's been going on for 7 years now it's obviously a Chronic Condition that needs looking into. if it hasn't went away by now, my guess is it's something that might stick with you for a very long time. No one should be in pain that long and not know why. You need to be on Anti Inflammatory's all the time and have a back up pain medicine for when it flares up. If this DR you are seeing now isn't trying to get to the Root of the problem and is denying you the proper medicine so you can be pain free I would without a doubt change DR's. I too have NO Health Insurance, have your tried looking into a Low Cost Health Clinic? They are cheaper then a Regular Dr and just as good.

Answer 3

I have had the same issue except its only my left shoulder blade not my right. I get told the same thing its just inflammation. I have chronic fatigue as well, had all the tests was told I have low D vit. Took meds for it didn't help. Sleep studies, neurologist, you name it done it. I have been told i may have chronic fatigue syndrome, but there is no way to check for it. I am 35 now, but mine started when I was 18 right after I had my first child and have gotten worse with age. I used to be skinny but depression has gotten the best of me over all this and i have gained a lot of weight. I have found that if I put a heating pad on the bed and lay on it, it helps a bit. Also with the fatigue, it won't get worse, at least it hasnt for me but it don't get better. I know someone will tell you try energy supplements. People it don't work. At work I just dredge through my day and take taps when I get home for about 2 hours it helps, just get yourself into a routine. That's what I have had to do.

Answer 4

Hi Fancy

Pain in the body is the indicator that you have an issue to deal with. Sounds simple, but people don't deal with pain. We are conditioned to take a drug and the pain will disappear, but the actual issue will not. That is what people don't understand (including doctors). Suppression (taking drugs) of any sanctum of the body causes it to take the next issue with your body to a bigger problem. Suppress enough headaches, then you have migraines, suppress those and you have a disease, suppress that and you have a cancer, ect. Same story applies for any issue.

I have been educating people for years and if you are in pain you need to detoxify the body by letting it rest for at least a week. Eat fruits and veggies (live foods) for a week (better yet juice them) and you will feel better before you know it. ALso, do a colon cleanse because the toxins in the body hang out there and when people dont have regular bowel movements (30 minutes after each meal), the toxins get in the blood, illness and disease occur.

Being dehydrated and stress are also factors causing back pain. Be sure to drink at least a gallon of distilled water a day (I do).

Best of health to you

Answer 5

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 6

Start getting regular massage, and ask your doctor for a refferal to a physical therapist because he/she clearly doesnt know what's going on. MRI is a waste of money and its rediculously expensive if you're uninsured.

To specifically answer your two questions, I couldnt give you a diagnosis without physically examining your shoulder, and if your doctor is already cautious about continuing to give you meds, you should really seek non-pharmaceutical pain treatments.

Pain medications are basically just going to mask your symptoms while the underlying orthopedic problem gets worse and worse.

Physical medicine, IE massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, or chiropractic treatment are FAR more effective in the long term treatment of chronic pain than drugs.

All of these, especially if you're uninsured, will be payed for entirely out of pocket. Even if you think you cant afford a massage once a week, look at what you can give up in your life to budget it in. For example, one night of drinking at a bar could pay for your weekly massage easily. Obviously its not as important as food, but its alot more important than alcohol or nicotine, both of which can be considerable expenses in the average american's life. Not to imply that they neccessarily are in yours.

If you really need something to get you through the week, your doctor isnt helping you, and you're not interested in seeing a massage therapist, get a bottle of Aleve, but don't exceed the recomended dosage.

Even over the counter pain meds as common as aspirin are quite dangerous if taken in excessive doses.

If you want to stay with western medicine, dont see an orthopedic surgeon, see a physical therapist. Clearly though your current MD is of no help with this issue.

Most orthopedic surgeons will tell people they need surgery regardless of whether they truly do or not, because surgery is how a surgeon treats things. If you're uninsured, surgery whether you need it or not is going to put you in debt for years, and in my experience, with the exception of complete tendon tears most people I've known who received orthopedic surgery didnt need it all and got worse after receiving it.

Answer 7

You did not say if you injured it some how. It could be that you have a pinched nerve in your back that is causing you the pain. I fell off of a ladder last year, and had a lot of shoulder and side pain, a chiropractor helped me tremendously. She put my spin back where it belonged, and also did something called cold laser treatments on it. The cold laser treatments take care of inflammation, muscle damage, and soft tissue damage. It works very well for injury's, and arthritis. I also know of a great co. that you can get natural wellness products, that way you could get off the dangerous pain pills.

Answer 8

You need an MRI to find out what the problem is, rather than treating the symptoms. You also need to be seeing an orthopedic surgeon, not your family dr.

When you find the reason for your pain, you won't need to shovel the pain pills.

You may want to look around--maybe even call your local hospital and find out about programs for people without insurance--you'd be surprised how many there are...

Answer 9

I was in a car accident in February 2014, and broke my shoulder had surgery on it in April and I never have a day without pain. Now I have to have a second surgery for correction Any sugestions for any pain releif?

Answer 10

well im pretty sure for wat im about to say , relax , go to a therapist talk to him or her about it then he/she will tell you wat to do about it , then go to a spa,so that you will get a massage to clam ur back a little more , make sure you go often , so that the pain will usually go away,,dont carry too much weight when you work , then if you cant do that ,just get a job were you wont have to carry heavy stuff, its not that good for you , well it is if u like to work out and all that stuff but if it hurts your shoulders you shouldnt do it,