"diabetics have more shoulder issues"

Who knew? I sure didn't until I talked about my ongoing shoulder saga with my endocrinologist at a routine check up. Off handedly he mentioned it like it was common knowledge. Well it wasn't to me (makes me wonder what other interesting things about diabetes I don't know about).

I'm presently recovering from arthoscopic surgery on my shoulder. It went well but boy it was a tough decision to do it in the first place. I found myself extremely nervous about this relatively minor surgery that promised relief of the pain I've been dealing with for the last 18 months. I've had other, more major surgeries, but for some reason, this one really had me spooked. I was truly anxious about the risks (anesthesia + diabetes), the recovery (possibly 2 times as long as for a non-diabetic according to my surgeon) and ultimately, about whether I would really feel better after the inevitable days of pain and months of rehab. It's also taken forever to be diagnosed correctly: 4 months to be diagnosed with frozen shoulder; 2 months of out of control blood sugars due to one surgeon who said that a cortisone shot would do the trick in spite of the fact that I was diabetic; mri's, x-rays and 10 months of rehab, 3 times a week for the frozen shoulder; and finally, when it stopped improving, another mri and a new diagnosis of bone spurs, chronic tendonitus, bursitus. With the frozen shoulder on the decline, now surgery was the next choice, other than continuing living with it as it was...fun choice. But the decision to have surgery had me really worried too. I don't know why exactly. Fear was definitely the underlying emotion of my worry. Fear and fatigue and frustration and distrust. Not that anyone of the doctor's I've been dealing with is untrustworthy or bad; on the contrary, they have all been concerned and kind. The fear seemed to come from yet another encounter with the limits of the medical profession, the slowness of the process of diagnosis, the erosive aspects of pain, and in the end, the profound knowledge that some things just can't be fixed or cured at this point in time.

In the end though, I opted for surgery and the promise of less pain and more range of motion. I opted for the hope of feeling better over fear and worry. I opted for faith in all the doctors who work so hard to make our lives better, in spite of the limits of present medical knowledge and technology. And also I opted for the surgery because after all is said and done, diabetes makes you tough and greedy. Greedy for more joy, less pain, and the promise of the best life possible.

Plus every journey reveals a discovery, like the ability to type with one hand when absolutely necessary! Ain't life grand?

Comments

[Nicole Purcell]

I had the same surgery to unfreeze my frozen shoulder. I was also shocked when my orthopedist informed me that diabetics have more shoulder issues -- and that they are at higher risk for frozen shoulder because of tendencies to build more scar tissue during healing from other injuries.

I was VERY glad that I decided to have the surgery -- I had been suffering for nearly a year with the issue before we finally went ahead. My healing time was around 6 months -- with therapy included -- and I have 90% mobility in the shoulder now... So, all in all, it was a good decision...

Best of luck with your recovery, let me know if you have questions you think I might answer.

Nicole

[birdie]

OK, so I'm pretty new to blogging so I have say for the record that this is soooo amazing. Thank you Nicole for your kind words and sharing of your own experiences around the fun filled world of "shoulder trouble for diabetics". You can not know how wonderful it felt to receive your comment about something that before blogging, no one in my immediate world would have understood, let alone experienced. The degree of relief I feel from being seen AND understood is huge! I am also heartened by your story of recovery and feel better about my decision because of it. I'm looking forward to more mobility, no pain and increased strength. Thanks again for your thoughts and kind wishes!

[art-sweet]

I've lived with chronic shoulder pain for years now.

And no one has ever told me this.

Ever.

Thank you.

[birdie]

I am so glad that this entry helped you in some small way. I found that seeing an orthopedic surgeon who 1) really understood diabetes (unlike the first one I saw who gave me the cortisone shot that wacked my diabetes control for, no joke, 3 months) and 2) wasn't prone to recommend surgery right out of the shoot, made all the difference in dealing with my shoulder problems. It's not that surgery might not be the best path, but I've found that it was good to know all the options before I opted for an invasive procedure. Having said that, I'm very glad that I have had the surgery and am slowly on the mend. Shoulder stuff is complicated and requires a long healing process. But it does get better...and that's the goal, right? Good luck!