Cortisone/ Pain Pills..... Still HURT.

[_NimbusTim_]

Ok guys.... I hurt my shoulder a while back and took your advice and went to the doctor. I got a MRI done and it showed no tears, but it did show hypertrophy, accute bursitus, tendonitis, and something else.... The doctor went over some options with me because it was really bothering me, and we decided on a cortisone shot, hydrocodene for pain, and rest. Well I got the shot and pain medicine 3 days ago, and my shoulder is continually getting worse. It hurts to even sleep oon it. It does not feel like the cortisone shot or pain medicine is working at all. I even doubled the dosage of pain medicine and it only made me sick...and I still hurt.

What should I do.... it is reallly bothering me.

Tim

[WeedyBloke]

You should delete this thread.

This isn't the medical advice forum, it's the exercises forum. I think you posted in the wrong place.

Well considering there isn't a forum specifically there to discuss injuries (which i find very strange considering how many threads we see concerning injuries) where would you suggest he posts it?

He's just trying to get some advice or reassurance from lifters who may have had similar experiences.

Personally, Tim, i think you should go back to the docs asap. Didn't I read somewhere that the cortisone shot can actually make it hurt more to begin with? or did I dream that up? Even so, with something this painful i really do suggest you get straight back to the doc who administered the medicine last time.

[_NimbusTim_]

You should delete this thread.

This isn't the medical advice forum, it's the exercises forum. I think you posted in the wrong place.

Dont be such a dick!
I looked over all the forums and did not find one defenite forum to put it in, so I used this one since I injured it doing an exercise. I was just looking for some help.

[_NimbusTim_]

Well considering there isn't a forum specifically there to discuss injuries (which i find very strange considering how many threads we see concerning injuries) where would you suggest he posts it?

He's just trying to get some advice or reassurance from lifters who may have had similar experiences.

Personally, Tim, i think you should go back to the docs asap. Didn't I read somewhere that the cortisone shot can actually make it hurt more to begin with? or did I dream that up? Even so, with something this painful i really do suggest you get straight back to the doc who administered the medicine last time.

Thanks for your input.
I am going to call the doctor and set up a time to come back in.
Something is defenitely wrong with my shoulder.

[T. Bone]

I think I had roughly the same shoulder problem. It is getting a little better now, but only after months of rest. For the longest time it seemed to just stay the same. I don't think at any point it felt worse, though, unless I was stressing it in the gym.

I didn't find the cortisone shot to be particularly helpful. The doc also told me to ice it and take lots of Aleve. Both of those only helped in an extremely small way.

I stopped doing shoulder and chest exercises for about two months and I think that's helping.

I also recently tried electroacupuncture and found it helpful. I wouldn't recommend rushing out to try it, but it has definitely helped more than cortisone/naproxen/physical therapy. I guess it's something to consider if you're inpatient and out of options.

[Doc Iron]

That the doctor put you on hydrocodone (a narcotic) without some type of NSAID (anti-inflamatory) ... there are many to choose from, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen. Even plain 'ol aspirin is an effective anti-inflamatory.

I'm not going to second guess him / her, perhaps the doctor knows about something in your history that would contraindicate a NSAID, however, I'd call up and ask if it would be OK to add one to your pain meds, you may get additional relief from it.

Also, many people take pain meds wrong ... they wait until something REALLY starts to hurt then try to take a big dose of medication. One should take the maximum amount of medication prescribed until the pain becomes manageable. Then CONTINUE taking it on a regular, prescribed schedule to keep the pain away. You can try to lower the dosage / frequency after awhile to see if less medication will still bring relief, but your goal is to keep enough medication in your system to achieve constant analgesia.

Lastly, if your present doctor can't get the pain under control, consider going to see a pain specialist. Ironically, most physicians aren't that well trained in pain management.

Good luck,

Doc

[WillDeadliftForFood]

"Ironically, most physicians aren't that well trained in pain management."

No doubt. Ever try to tell a doc that you're resistant to pain meds? They look at you like you're an addict that just got out of detox.