Another Medical Question

[Darsa]

Ugh, I think I'm going to call my doctor on Monday, but this is gonna be a looong weekend!

So, for a little background, when I sleep, no matter how I start out I end up sleeping on my left side, with my left arm slung up under my pillow. I imagine I must have pulled the shoulder area at some point, because I have this HORRIBLE ache right on the bend, and it radiates down my arm toward my elbow. It doesn't appear to be swollen or hot, it just huuurts Feels better when I sit with my arm up over my head, which looks kinda wierd

I'm not sure if this is something I should see my doctor about, or if this is something I can treat at home. I'll probably call the dr anyway but is there anything I might be able to do to this weekend to lessen the pain? I've tried Advil, but it doesn't seem to affect it at all. Not sure if I should use heat, ice, another kind of pain killer...

Thanks in advance for any/all help!

 

[chell]

How often are you taking the ibuprofen? Are you taking it every 4 hours? If your shoulder is inflamed the ibuprofen would work best every 4 hours to fight the inflammation.

I would try rotating both the cold and the heat to see what works for you. What works for one person might not work for you.

I sure hope you do not have bursitis. Mine is starting to act up again. I just put my arm up over my head to see if it helps ease the pain and it does, but that may just be a coincidence. If you do have bursitis and you decide to get a cortisone shot for it make sure you get it from a doctor who does them on a regular basis. I had heard how horrible they are. The first time my doctor said he was going to give me one I was almost shaking I was so scared. Well it wasn't that bad. He gives them all day long so he knows how to do it.

When my shoulder is acting up I also put Biofreeze on it. You can find it at CVS now.

Hope you feel better real soon!

 

[karibritt01]

I get that when I sleep on my side, too. I ended up getting more pillows... 2 under my head to raise me off my shoulder a little bit, and a body pillow to get my body in a more natural position. If you try to get into a correct position to go to sleep, it may help. By fighting your natural sleep habits, you are getting on your side anyway, but not in a correct position. (BTW... the position I am refering to is left side, left leg out straight, right leg bent at 45 degree angle with knee and ankle supported by a pillow, arms in front of you holding a pillow with chest supported by the pillow.)

I agree Ibuprofen every 4 hours for inflammation. And the rule of thumb in sports medicine is ice for the first 24 hours, then heat.

 

[Christine]

I had a shoulder-type injury that started out exactly has you described. It really only started bothering me at night (although I'd have some discomfort during the day). It proceeded to get worse and then there were just certain movements I couldn't do during the day (like put my arm in a coat, reach from the front seat to the back seat) without almost crying. I went to the doctor and he determined from my movements that I had a some weakness or injury in the rotator cuff area. Fortunately no tears or anything serious. But it was PAINFUL. I did six weeks of physical therapy and now I am fine.