Do you have this, where you have to take some kind of pain killer daily? Apparently, I have chronic rotator cuff tendinitis (or tendonitis) in my left shoulder. Have had a rotator cuff surgery in each shoulder. After getting FROM back in my left shoulder in Oct. 2015, I started noticing a daily achy/nagging type pain in the shoulder. Was finally able to get an MRI done and it showed a 20% thickness tear measuring 8mm with mild AC arthropathy. 8mm is 5/16 in or 1/16 over 1/4 inch. I reviewed the MRI with my surgeon and he told me the surgery went fine that I have some tendinitis/tendonitis in the shoulder that I will have to contend with. The tear is minimal and not to be concerned. Been taking, daily, one or two 800mg ibuprofen (depending on how long one lasts in a 24 hr. period). VA doctor gave me 50mg Tramadol to take every other day, but that is almost gone. The vitamin supplements Krill Oil and Glucosamine Sulfate aren't helping the achy/nagging pain. Also, use a cream called Topricin that takes away this pain for awhile. Just researched Collagen and found it to be good for the pain I have. Dosage states between 4 and 6 tablets a day (up to 6,000 mg). Don't know about that. What about you? What do you take/use for your body pain?
I will take either Vicodin or 600 mgs of Advil or sometimes both depending on my back. Dr suggested tramadol once but I said no....how do you like it, does it work well? Any side effects? I also have muscle relaxants but seldom take those, only when my back feels spasmy and will only take at bedtime because they make me sleepy.
Do you get the Vicodin on a "continuing" basis? I take a 50mg of Tramadol, which is the lowest mg available. One tab gets me a little high and lasts for about 6 hours. After that, it's back to using the cream and taking the ibuprofen. Actually, the 800mg ibuprofen lasts much longer than the Tramadol does, probably because the Tramadol is only 50mg. But, unfortunately, nothing lasts for more than 24 hours. Other than the "little high", no side affects from the Tramadol. I talked to my wife about it and we plan on getting me a bottle of Collagen Type II, which is specifically for tendons, muscles and cartilage. She uses the Type 1 & 3, because it is for skin and nails as well as bones, muscles and bones. I just want the Type II. Don't need anything for skin and nails. Bottom Line is.........I just don't want to be taking 800 mg ibuprofen daily for the rest of my life. Or, should I say, "I don't want to, but might have to".
I do get it every month. The 5 mgs but cut that in half, was taking the full 5 mgs but weaned down. I don't take the Advil every day though, that's just if the pain med isn't cutting it. Also, what do you mean by high? I have a drs appt at the end of April, I'll ask about the tramadol again...
What do I mean by "high"? Well, my wife knows when I've taken a Tramadol. I'm a little more active and have absolutely no pain. Not like "getting high" or anything like that. I can drive a vehicle with no problems........fully aware of things. So, does this mean that you will have to be on a prescribed pain med the rest of your life? Surgery won't help you? Actually, I got both rotator cuff surgeries, one on each shoulder from a fall, so I wouldn't have pain in the shoulder, BUT, that hasn't necessarily happened. I have read people's statements on Heath and Arthritis forums that they still get some pain even after having a surgery. Guess pain is just a part of our age bracket and older.
Surgery on the spine is tricky, I've read where sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and sometimes it's worse. I'm on a very small dose and I never exceed it that, if that's what it takes then I'll be on it for the rest of my life I guess unless something new comes out. My liver is in great shape so far. I'd rather live a shorter productive life than a painful long one anyway. I don't drink or smoke and I eat healthy...if something's got to kill me it might as well be a pain med. I don't take more than 10mgs a day which for some people is in one dose. Also..that's why I asked about tramadol...try to get off the vico but tramadol is addictive also...no?
Yes, Tramadol is addictive. That's why my VA doctor put me on "every-other day" one 10 mg instead of ever 12 hours daily, like it was before. The rest of the time I use the cream and 800mg ibuprofen. Definitely right, sometimes surgery works and sometimes it doesn't or doesn't enough. Glad I got the surgery though. I had one fully torn and one partially torn tendon. I just wish I could get rid of this daily achy/nagging pain in the shoulder. One thing I don't want is another surgery in that shoulder.
My pain is in my back...tailbone area but sometimes I will get a nagging pain in my left shoulder and it can lasts for days and I can't really pinpoint what causes it either...it always happens when I get my hair done and have to have it shampooed in their sinks, even with a towel my neck will hurt and I can feel the nerve pain going into my shoulder...other times it will hurt for no reason whatsoever. I did have it x rayed long ago and nothing was found. It doesn't happen that often but when it does, it's worse than my back pain..I'd hate to go through life with that. As for back surgery I only know of one person who had it and came out of it ahead...meaning no pain anymore. I really wish they would find a pain med that works as well as the addictive ones but isn't. Bet when they do it will cost a fortune. Also, if I ever need surgery I'd have to wait til I moved to my daughter's ...don't think I could take care of myself the first few days or week.
I know exactly what you are going through.. I have had my left shoulder totally replaced in 2010 and have been excellent since.. I have almost NO restrictions or problems with the left shoulder and most of all, NO PAIN at all which is very good.. Now, I am having pain and big problems in my right shoulder, and I will be getting that one replaced as well within the next short time.. In the meantime, I am taking Oxycodone which was given to me by my orthopedic specialist.. The pills work wonderfully and last about 6 or so hours.. I don't take the pills unless I really need them.. My problem with the shoulder is the ball and socket is bone on bone and there isn't any other solution other than replacing the shoulder joint.. I also take Meloxicam (I used to be on Arthrotec) which is an anti inflammatory for arthritis.. Those pills (2 daily) also work very well but when the bone on bone comes up, nothing will cure that but surgery.. As far as the cost of all those meds, for us in Canada, it is almost free.. A 90 day (or 100 day) supply of any prescription at all only costs me $2.00 regardless what the prescription is.. Surgery and hospital stays are totally free as well as all doctors visits, X-rays, MRI, Cat Scan, and any device required such as slings, braces, casts, crutches, and physiotherapy after an operation, etc. .. After my shoulder operation, I will need physio starting as soon as the staples come out twice a week for about 6 months given at the local hospital..
Today I'm having a shoulder pain day...woke up like that. So I have to take the Advil and I did earlier and it's not helping. Have no idea what I did but either I slept wrong or did something yesterday...I did do a weird reach last night...instead of going around the counter to set my alarm I did it from the kitchen and to do that I had to stand on tip toes and reach as far as I could to press the button.. maybe I twisted something, but I'm not in a good mood when I can't stop the pain....may take another half pain pill. It's weird that the shoulder pain is harder to get rid of than the back pain and yet x ray shows nothing. It feels like my whole arm is hanging from torn muscles...it's a dull, deep kind of pain.
Poor Chrissy.. I really hate to say it, but welcome to the shoulder pain club... When I say "I know what you are going through", you know what I mean.. Shoulder pain is something else as every time you move your arm, it hurts.. In the beginning I used to take Tylenol Xtra Strenght for some relief.. 2 pills worked OK but as the pain got worse, I was put on something stronger till now there is NO choice but to replace my shoulder..
No, thank God, no chronic pain for me. Sometimes when I get up ache all over,if real bad take Aleve and i am good to go. However, i know many who are and 20- 30 years younger than me. Very long story short- here are some things I find personally for me that contributed to o pain i use to have. Lipator ( mis spelled?) for high cholesterol- doctor stopped it. Certain artificial sweetners . Well those two the most. Now i am fine. When i do not list meds I am on at doctors office, they always ask- how can that be at your age, your on nothing? My reply- I say - I said I am not- did not say say I shouldn't be- there is a difference. Just very lucky not to be on meds- mainly by choice. The side effects alone from all that crap, is enough for me not to take. Besides even over the counter meds taken on a daily basis could mess with me shot of whiskey or me glass of ole wine. And, not to offend anyone- and i no I don't now- another story - for later- but Marijuana should be legal everywhere at least for medical use. Then most of ya could throw that other crap out the window.Toodles
A person can have a small tear in a tendon that can cause pain. In July last year, I had an MRI done, because I was getting continuous achy/nagging pain in the shoulder that I had rotator cuff surgery on the year before (March 2015). The MRI showed a small tear (8mm.......same as 5/16") in the shoulder that was believe to be there when my surgery was done. Can't anchor that small of a tear back to the bone. Appears that I've got some kind of arthritis in the shoulder now. Unfortunately, a small tear like this can grow into a bigger tear in time. A person can get a small tendon tear simply by reaching around to the back seat of their vehicle while seated in the front seat. Most people don't even know they have a small tendon tear until the tear gets bigger. Anyway, I'm about to try some Collagen 2 (chicken type) and see what happens.
Marijuana will be legal up here very soon.. I am not sure it is the relief of all ailments, but it sure helps for most pains...... It is available now in certain areas where they actually have stores that sell it to the public..
If we end up moving to Colorado, we definitely try it. My wife's son used it for awhile due to his cancer pain, but still passed away in his later teens.