Pain after Rotator Cuff Surgery

Man up? Really? What an absolutely monstrous thing to say. Just because you had a different experience ! In 3 years I have undergone back surgery, both hips replaced at the same time and now am 10 weeks out of the first of two rotator cuff surgeries. I'm. Woman who is strong , athletic and pushed through more pain you will ever know! But rotator cuff surgery has been brutal! Especially due to the nighttime sleep deprivation and pain! We all heal differently and pain is something personal and different for anyone! for you to minimize others abilities to heal and recover like you is ridiculous! People come on here to vent, learn and understand that they're not alone. Any Ortho Dr. Will tell you there is no surgery recovery compared to rotator cuff and all the little "extras " they do such as bone chipping , bursa removal and labrum work. Shame on you and why are you even on this sight!!! Take a look at the people posting! They are hurting! I continue to spend night after night sleeping for 15 minutes at s time, iceing and then finally getting up by 4 am because I just can't take laying in bed trying to sleep. All the pain meds and sleep aids in the world don't stop your pain from grabbing you and forcing you up!!! I get up and work at all the things I used to because I live in a home with 3 adults and no help after any of my surgeries! So Man Up!???!!! I think you should rethink that statement and try to empathize instead of criticize!

I just had rotator cuff surgery on a 9th of June its hard to sleep
Don't get no sleep in the back of my neck is hurting can't move my arm just started therapy any advice

I had rotator cuff surgery almost five months ago and I am still unable to sleep due to the terrible pain I have in my shoulder, my heck and shoulder blade. I had 28 visits with physical therapy which helped but it didn't cure my painfulness every night after I've gone to bed. I was told that it takes six months to a year to totally heal. Hope this bit of information will help.

Well it is July 28, 2017 , 4 weeks post op. I am very glad I read this blog. I worry that I do injury to my shoulder every day. The night pain is bad. I do therapy every day but limited to 2 movements. I can't do my hair or makeup bc my arm won't reach that far up yet. I had a knee and hip replaced and this is much worse as far as pain and driving. I live alone , thank God for friends but I miss my independence to be able to pick up things I need. I never thought this would be this painful but this blog has eased my mind. I guess I'll just grin bear it and push on. I want my life back.

Tomorrow is five weeks since my shoulder surgery. Reading these comments has comforted me because I too am dealing with more pain than I ever expected. For the last three nights, I have woken up with more pain than all the previous nights. I saw a pain specialist yesterday, but the new medication, Meloxicam, is causing me bad stomach aches, and the Baclofen is causing dizziness and drowsiness. I now dread going to physical therapy because it is so extremely painful during and then afterward. I can't wait for this to all be over.

How could you even tell people to suck it up when you don't even know what they are going through. Old people are the worst. Can't wait till your kind dies off. When you have you life ending heart attack I hope someone tells you to suck it up

Stop the pendulum swing. My Dic says it can do more harm than good.

I am 9 weeks post-op. Day 6 stitches were out, day 7 I applied liquid bandaid and went to the pool. Mind you I wore my sling and tied it to me. Floated on my back and did kicking. The cold water felt good. Only 20 minutes. Next day I did my early ROM exercise in pool. Again, 20 minutes. I have no pain the water. My doctor and PT guy held their breath, but came to the pool to see what I was doing. They were amazed at my progress and my pain control. Warm showers helped the most. I walked a lot. Used my cooling machine and it also could give me heat. I also used my TENS unit to distract my pain and helped with circulation. I also applied Aspercream to my shoulder. I also did a gentle massage. I also used a recliner that does massage and heat. I can't use Alene, Ibuprofen, so I use CBD oil (cannibus). It is hemp without the THC. It really has helped the most. Since I was a competitive Master swimmer, swimming is my choice of therapy in addition to what my physical therapist gives me. I am at 180 degrees above my head. I can relate to the fear of pain and not relaxing while doing PT. I use my other arm at the same time as my affected arm while doing some PT; especially overhead. It sets an "good example" for my affected arm to keep my arm straight and to push a little more each time I raise my arm. I also use a pulley. I am without my sling now after 5 weeis. If it got tired, I put it back on or rested it on a pillow. When sleeping in bed, I used a variety of pillows. Buying a body pillow really helped; like the ones pregnant women use. I ride a stationary bike and lift weights for my legs, right arm and use 1.5 lbs for my affected shoulder. I try to use my left arm to get use to doing more things, like holding a cup, a plate, a glass, cutting food with my left arm, brushing my teeth. I kept a Journal of my daily progress. Walk with a partner who is sympathetic. I am up to 1.5 miles, 1,000 yds swimming. This has all been gradual and sometimes pain dictated, but once I got moving it actually felt better. Your muscles, tendons lengthen during the day and shorten at night, hence the pain. Hang in there.

I don't know if anyone is still following this thread. I feel fortunate that I have a high pain threshold (a doctor told me that once after an elbow fracture) Having two children taught me to relax in pain, being a 'gym rat' for years, and a tomboy as a kid, made me too tough to give in to the pain, i guess. I know what everyone is talking about, though, and I understand why they say this is one of the hardest surgeries to rehab. ( I personally doubt that, since many people go through horrendous years of rehab for various other procedures) I certainly do not 'like' the twice daily PT, but I make the best of it, starting with some enjoyable back and leg stretches, then finishing with a few yoga poses; also just lying on my back to relax the affected shoulder and scapula. I especially advise you to RELAX and BREATHE deep when the PT is working on you!! (it's going to hurt anyway, so you might as well work with him/her) Then DO the exercises your surgeon says, even more often... I had a full tear of the supraspinitis, a small labram tear, and some arthritis setting in. I don't like how my arm has atrophied, but that will come back. Hang in there, peeps, and relax.

My op was April this year. Pain was almost unbearable. 3 months later I was given steroid injection. Relief. Was told would only last 5 to 6 weeks. Now it's worn off I'm back to terrible pain. Even my wrist aches. Have been back to work 2 weeks. In catering. Had to go for financial reasons. Seeing surgeon on 25 Sept. But I'm really suffering. Worried that I can't do my job. Swimming will never happen as can't push through volume of water. Still can't get my arm up behind my back. So whilst injection worked I'm fearful that the op hasn't. I'm still an active person originally in nursing but swapped jobs due to heavy lifting. Littering at home IS NOT LIKE WORKING. So you can understand why I'm so worried.
In a way I am disabled but I guess not to the point where I'd get any benefits.
It's just a total nightmare.

I am so glad I found this group. I am 6 weeks after surgery and have pain most of the time and sometimes level 10. I started pt 2 days after surgery per my doctors instructions. I am now on assisted lifting, which means my one arm helps the other arm using a bar to stretch. I have a long way to go. Only at 90 degrees any direction. I still take Vicodin sometimes. Wish I knew before hand how painful this is as I wouldn't have worried as much. I was almost convinced I injured it again.

I had my surgery on 10/3/17 and my pain is so intense. I can't rest of sleep and my elbow is so stiff. I do not want to take narcotics all day ans Aleve doesn't help. Abbott suggestions?

Clearly, You must be better than everyone else,
Why would you even bother to comment?
Man up?
Really...

I also had surgery on 10/2/17 the pain was really bad..boy I cried a lot....I take hydroncodone and 1 aleve tablet at night and sometomes that doesn't even help. I start pt on 10/31/17 wonder how that will go?? The pain isn't real bad during the day I use a lot of cold packs. Sleeping is getting a little better I use 2 pillows propped up tried a wedge pillow didn't work and a bean bag no good . Some days it does seem like I did something wrong with my shoulder that the pain gets worse.....Good luck Cindy

Thank you for the positive post!!!!Like you said,everyone is complaining and I was getting frustrated!!! TY!!!!!!