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So my previous post was sorta vague, and I had a number of questions asked. So here's the scoop.

For the last month I have been having some minor shoulder pain and stiffness. I figured it was from the way I was sitting on the couch at night with my elbow perched up on the arm of my couch while I was using my laptop. So I quit sitting that way, and started doing some exercises to try to loosen up that muscle and get rid of the stiffness. Last week the pain started to get a little more intense.

Thursday afternoon I noticed I was unable to reach my arm above my head and was a little concerned. Then Thursday night on my way to pick up Cowgirl from soccer practice I tried to make a left hand turn, and the pain in my shoulder was excruciating. It literally brought me to tears. With that Hubby said, "We're going to have it checked."

Friday morning I had lost more mobility and had more intense pain. My doctor was able to squeeze me in on Friday afternoon, and after a brief examination, and some X-rays, he found that I had a large calcium deposit growing on my rotator cuff. The doctor said that given the size, it has been growing for months. He says that at some point in my life I injured that tendon, and now it has begun to calcify. The growth is right where everything is supposed to slide, and move and rotate together when you use your arm and shoulder, and that's why it is so painful. He said I would likely need surgery and referred me to a specialist. I made an appointment for Monday.

By Friday night I had lost all mobility in my arm and the pain was enough that I felt like I was going to pass out. Each day through the weekend the pain got worse. It got to the point that I felt as if there were a knife plunged into my arm on the side and on the top of my shoulder constantly, and with every beat of my heart the knives were being twisted. I was popping over the counter pain medication right and left, with little relief. I couldn't sleep, because there was no position that didn't increase the pain.

Sunday the Bishop pulled me aside and had Hubby and I come into his office, and they, along with the other member of our bishopric gave me a priesthood blessing. He had noticed from the stand during Sacrament Meeting that I was in bad shape. The peace this brought, and the actual slight relief of pain in my arm that followed helped me make it through the rest of church.

By Monday morning I was a mess. We went to the surgeon, who reviewed my X-rays and recommended that before surgery we try a steroid injection. If it didn't work, or if it worked but only lasted a short time, then the next step would be surgery. If it worked and lasted for a year or more, then maybe we would just do another injection at that time.

I braced myself. I am NOT a fan of needles. I don't know why, but I am just really freaked out by them. And this was no small needle! So here's the doctor and his assistant, and they are telling me to relax, and it will be less painful. The assistant then proceeds to pull my arm downward in order to separate everything in the shoulder so they can get the needle positioned. I wanted to scream! The needle went in through the BACK to reach the deposit which is in the front! I tried to breath deep and stay calm. There. Made it. It's over.

Or not. Now the assistanta says, "now we need to work that medicine in", and starts jerking my arm all around, up and down, side to side, around in a circle. This is the point I wanted to start stabbing someone.

I did start to feel relief very quickly. I went home and was able to sleep for a couple of hours, and when I woke up I didn't have much pain at all while sitting still, and I had a lot more mobility than before. I still couldn't lift my arm very far before it was painful, but definitely being able to move it was promising! I've been exercising and trying to get that muscle back in shape. Today I have a little more pain than I had Monday afternoon or yesterday, but I'm hoping it is just from working that muscle and having it be a little sore. It is still nothing like it was, so I am trying to stay optimistic.

Thank you to EVERYONE for your concern, and kind words. It means so much.

Needless to say, I pretty much fell off the Muffin Top to Skinny Jeans wagon - at first I was in so much pain that I couldn't eat anything, but then when I had relief I wanted and felt I DESERVED to eat as crappy as I wanted to! But that's no excuse, and I hope I have better progress to report next week!

Happy Wednesday!

Comments

Macey said…
You DID deserve to have something good if you wanted! Poor friend.:( I really hope this shot works and if it doesn't, that you will be able to get surgery. Wait. It would cost you an arm to get surgery anyway, and that one IS bothering you...wonder if they'd do a free removal?
Boulter trouble said…
So sorry! Youre brave with the needle and the arm jerking. I hope it works. Is it cortisone that they injected into your shoulder? My husband has had too have those shots in his shoulder too. I hope it provides relief for you!
Poor girl!! I'm glad you've had some relief, but hope it's all the way healed soon.
Heather said…
Poor girl! Hope things start improving soon and there is no need for surgery!!
Megan said…
Ohmygoodness! What a nightmare! I really hope that the steroid shot works so you can avoid surgery!!! Sending prayers your way!!
Paula@SweetPea said…
Good grief! I got the heebie-geebies reading about your shot. I hope you feel better soon!
Emmy said…
Hope that the shot keeps working and it feels better. That does not sound fun at all.

By the way sorry it has been forever since I have visited your blog. Ryder being born two months early changed and threw off everything.
IndyGo Wylde said…
If it's already wearing off, you should call the surgeon and let him know. usually it will work faster and longer. Sorry Sis. Shoulder pain sucks. =(
shortmama said…
So sorry for you! I hope you are able to avoid surgery
Gurr Family said…
My mom had that same thing and she got the shot. So far it has helped and she has not needed surgery. I hope you have the same results.
Good luck and happy healing!!!!
Oh X! You do need the surgery. I had the same thing and had to get those steroid/cortisone shots for 6 months and it didn't help. I told you all this in my email from the other night. Putting off the surgery only puts off the healing. Find a good surgeon and get it done. I promise it'll be good as new. I've been there, and I promise.
xoxo
Oh sweetie, that all sounds terrible! I think I almost felt a little of that pain while reading about it. I'm hoping you don't have to have surgery, but if you think you might, go! Have it done so that you can get back to your old self!! :)
Rachelle said…
That sounds soooo painful! I think you have a wonderful excuse to eat whatever you want! I'm so sorry you're going through all that.
Bless your heart! That sounds awful! I'm so glad you are getting a little relief now. Hope you continue to feel better and no surgery will be needed!
Sami said…
Yuck, yuck, double yuck! So sorry for you! Tell ya what...since you're obviously in too much pain to do it, I'll do it for you...
What's the address to the doctor's office, and I'll bring my biggest fork!
Myya said…
Yikes! Just reading this I want to come bring you the biggest yummiest dessert I can think of. Dang it for me living so far from you. Hope something works & works soon, you are a busy mama doesn't your shoulder know that!!! Get better friend!
Jenny said…
Oh wow, that sounds incredibly painful! I hope the steroid injection helps and you don't need surgery.
STILLMAGNOLIA said…
I had that done to my knee...and wanted to kick and flail at everyone in the room it hurt so bad.
Koko said…
I'm so sorry you've been having trouble! I hope this helps and you won't have to have surgery!

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