The orthopedist said that my shoulder pain is likely caused by a torn rotator cuff. Her “prescription” was a cortisone shot, which she gave me then and there, and Aleve daily for any continuing pain. She also recommended I try a topical product, such as Icy Hot. She said to come back in four weeks for a reevaluation and, if necessary, she’d send me for an MRI at that point.
After getting the shot, I accidentally fell asleep while watching TV and woke up in excruciating pain. I figured the extra pain was the shot taking its toll, so I iced my shoulder and took some Aleve. My pain returned to its usual level the following day and has not changed in the intervening week+, so I don’t think the cortisone shot worked. I called the doctor’s office and left a message asking that we move the MRI up.
Aleve, by the way, didn’t do anything for me, at least not in the quantity I was willing to take. And as for the Icy Hot, what a joke. I’d purchased the nighttime healing version, and I tried it for three nights, each time using a little more of the product, hoping it would have some effect. But each time it felt barely cool, let alone icy, and it was never hot. It also never provided any kind of pain relief. What it did do was practically burn out my nasal passages with its mentholated smell. Not recommended.
I’ve discovered, though, that if I sleep with a pillow next to me and drape my arm over it at a particular angle, I’m less likely to wake up in screaming agony. The only problem is that the pillow tends to fall off the bed, at which time I revert to my usual sleeping position and pain ensues. So, next step: figure out how to keep the pillow from falling.
Last Wednesday I went for a physical therapy session. The therapist and I agreed that, since I would be in a holding pattern until the MRI, I could continue my exercises on my own at home. That’s good and will save me a lot of money. But it also meant that I had to say good-bye to her and ask her to say good-bye to the other therapists for me. I enjoyed their company and will miss them. I should send them a card. (I probably won’t, but I really should.).