Shoulder issue - "Bursitis"
Discussion
So I've suffered with pain in my right shoulder for 5 months now. I'm currently under treatment which I aren't particularly a fan of, nor do I feel its accurate, but who am I to judge, I have to follow what I'm told, but it just doesn't feel right.
History,
Wake up one morning, no noticeable issue - life as normal. Go to the gym, regular warmup and mobility exercises I do as with any upper body day. Blood flow movements, isometrics, bands, rotator cuff movements and stretching. All good. Head into the first weighted exercise, backless seated single arm dumbbell press, sounds a mouthful. Grabbed a 12kg as is customary for me to get a little blood flow and familiarise with the movement. Immediately, rep one, I felt something not right in the front of my shoulder. It wasn't something I had JUST done with the movement. I tried a side raise with a 6kg, felt fine, but still wasn't sure. I did the right thing, packed up and headed home - I've had niggles in places before, and usually with a week of rest its usually fine.
Fast forward 3 weeks, I've not done any upper body, including any yoga, that I would do with my partner as she's a yoga teacher. I've come back from a stag do feeling particularly ready to get back in the gym, but its just not right, in fact it feels slightly worse. A common stretch I would perform in the morning is "child's pose" - on your knees, lean over your mat forward and extend your arms out. Easy enough? Nope, shoulder feels completely restricted, like there's something blocking full extension overhead of my arm, within my shoulder, and its painful.
Time to seek assistance.
I'm lucky we have a private healthcare with my employer, Vitality, some of you may have it also, absolutely amazing when there's issues, beats hanging around for the NHS. Quick phone call, authorized to see a specialist locally, booked in.
First appointment I have an X-Ray, nothing wrong with it, no damage or any issues, but diagnoses that I perhaps have an inflamed bursa, as "impingements" are caused by bone issues. Booked in for an ultrasound and a cortisone injection to boot. The fella doing the ultrasound said my bursa is really inflamed. That happens, feels disgusting, nearly pass out from the sensation, and my arm feels numb.
A week on from the injection and my arm just feels crap, shoulder still has pain, but its more a dumb dull pain. Rang up the doctor and I'm told by the nurses that its normal and I should wait 2 weeks and keep from using it, maybe take ibuprofen with it to help it out. So I did that, and then my arm started to feel ok, no pain thankfully, but the restricted movement is still there. I'm well aware the cortisone is just masking the pain, so I do the sensible thing and refrain from using it.
2 weeks later, I start getting an absolutely horrendous burning pain down my tricep - as if someone has taken a blow torch to my arm, just for a second. I ring my vitality and I'm told it could just be damage from using it, I called bull because I've been resting it, but they prescribe naproxen. I take it, and the burning random shooting pain has stopped, but I am left with a very sensitive, and sore to touch tricep ALL of the time now.
Injection was early-mid September, the pain came back on the 7th November, but it was significantly worse, its not just under movement anymore, its just any time I am sat down, moving around, doing anything, throbbing on off pain of different levels and in different parts of the shoulder.
What's been blagging my head, and giving me sleepless nights and causing me to worry, is that firstly, I use the gym and physical activity to destress, and to give me some mental clarity, that's been taken away from me, and it will be for a while longer. I can accept that, If I know its going to get better.
What's REALLY been kicking me is the news of Chris Hoy, now I have stayed away from reading any of it, because as soon as I saw he had shoulder pain that got worse and worse, I immediately correlated it to myself. Stupid perhaps, I know, but I think its just human nature, to an extent, isn't it?
"Have they injected steroids into a tumour, is it growing, is that why its getting worse?"
Couple this with noticeable muscle loss from naturally not training any upper body movements for 5 months, its had me stressing out and feeling crap, most days.
I had an appointment this morning, follow up from my cortisone, and I laid it on thick, Its worse than ever, seems to be getting more painful and spreading, and then I told him I was worried its something sinister. He assured me an Xray would of picked up any mass on my shoulder, I wasn't so sure, but it put me at ease, a little, but I still aren't confident. He referred me that maybe we should jump into surgery, but I've requested one more injection and a full ultrasound to scope out the entire shoulder. It's insurance, so he obliged and said that's a smart decision.
If this next injection doesnt work, Its a full MRI before decision of surgery is going to given from my point of view.
So this is the first part of my post, Basically a rant of me worrying and being a hypochondriac - and really posting it in any hopes that someone can relate, has had similar, or can put my mind at ease a little.
The second part.
Countless of my gym acquaintances over the years, are on some PED's of some description on and off over the years. Some are body builders, some are crossfitters, others are power lifters and some are just gym people who want to look good, who am I to judge, they're still good people.
I've never touched PED's, which is strange given that I have over consumed recreationally in my past. Steroids etc are not something I want in my life nor are they screaming to me in any way shape or form to assist my current situation. However.
A lot of these people, men and women, are referring me to "peptides". Particularly BPC157 and TB500. Essentially proteins that the body has in small doses, that people are synthesizing, and injecting in higher dosages. Research is pretty heavy, but none of it particularly legally binding. Apparently, from what I have been told and briefly read into (I admittedly haven't looked much, as I haven't given it a thought, until this morning) BPC and TB together form a "wolverine" healing state. Calls from multiple people across many industries stating it rapidly heals issues around any injury, bone including.
There is a massive red flag, on them however. DO NOT USE if you are at risk of cancer. We'll that's the kicker, is anyone sure at any time they don't have it? The reason why is, it promotes growth of blood vessels and other such things, which allows for faster growth of any cell, including bad ones.
So here's the second reason for this post, has anyone had any dealings with these peptides, personally or otherwise, perhaps anyone in the medical industry?
My plan, providing the research goes okay and I can stop worrying about little things all the time, and nobody here completely dissuades me with horror stories or condemnation, would be to take a 2-3 weeks course of these peptides, along side the cortisone injection, to try and heal this "bursitis" once and for all, in the hopes I am fighting fit and can avoid surgery.
Happy for any input or comments. Really just wanted to vent a little as keeping worries in about these things isn't good. I told my partner a few days ago just how much of an affect being injured and not being able to have my "me" time to fix my mental health and deal with my problems through the gym is really pushing me over the edge. She understood, and so why not vent it here too.
History,
Wake up one morning, no noticeable issue - life as normal. Go to the gym, regular warmup and mobility exercises I do as with any upper body day. Blood flow movements, isometrics, bands, rotator cuff movements and stretching. All good. Head into the first weighted exercise, backless seated single arm dumbbell press, sounds a mouthful. Grabbed a 12kg as is customary for me to get a little blood flow and familiarise with the movement. Immediately, rep one, I felt something not right in the front of my shoulder. It wasn't something I had JUST done with the movement. I tried a side raise with a 6kg, felt fine, but still wasn't sure. I did the right thing, packed up and headed home - I've had niggles in places before, and usually with a week of rest its usually fine.
Fast forward 3 weeks, I've not done any upper body, including any yoga, that I would do with my partner as she's a yoga teacher. I've come back from a stag do feeling particularly ready to get back in the gym, but its just not right, in fact it feels slightly worse. A common stretch I would perform in the morning is "child's pose" - on your knees, lean over your mat forward and extend your arms out. Easy enough? Nope, shoulder feels completely restricted, like there's something blocking full extension overhead of my arm, within my shoulder, and its painful.
Time to seek assistance.
I'm lucky we have a private healthcare with my employer, Vitality, some of you may have it also, absolutely amazing when there's issues, beats hanging around for the NHS. Quick phone call, authorized to see a specialist locally, booked in.
First appointment I have an X-Ray, nothing wrong with it, no damage or any issues, but diagnoses that I perhaps have an inflamed bursa, as "impingements" are caused by bone issues. Booked in for an ultrasound and a cortisone injection to boot. The fella doing the ultrasound said my bursa is really inflamed. That happens, feels disgusting, nearly pass out from the sensation, and my arm feels numb.
A week on from the injection and my arm just feels crap, shoulder still has pain, but its more a dumb dull pain. Rang up the doctor and I'm told by the nurses that its normal and I should wait 2 weeks and keep from using it, maybe take ibuprofen with it to help it out. So I did that, and then my arm started to feel ok, no pain thankfully, but the restricted movement is still there. I'm well aware the cortisone is just masking the pain, so I do the sensible thing and refrain from using it.
2 weeks later, I start getting an absolutely horrendous burning pain down my tricep - as if someone has taken a blow torch to my arm, just for a second. I ring my vitality and I'm told it could just be damage from using it, I called bull because I've been resting it, but they prescribe naproxen. I take it, and the burning random shooting pain has stopped, but I am left with a very sensitive, and sore to touch tricep ALL of the time now.
Injection was early-mid September, the pain came back on the 7th November, but it was significantly worse, its not just under movement anymore, its just any time I am sat down, moving around, doing anything, throbbing on off pain of different levels and in different parts of the shoulder.
What's been blagging my head, and giving me sleepless nights and causing me to worry, is that firstly, I use the gym and physical activity to destress, and to give me some mental clarity, that's been taken away from me, and it will be for a while longer. I can accept that, If I know its going to get better.
What's REALLY been kicking me is the news of Chris Hoy, now I have stayed away from reading any of it, because as soon as I saw he had shoulder pain that got worse and worse, I immediately correlated it to myself. Stupid perhaps, I know, but I think its just human nature, to an extent, isn't it?
"Have they injected steroids into a tumour, is it growing, is that why its getting worse?"
Couple this with noticeable muscle loss from naturally not training any upper body movements for 5 months, its had me stressing out and feeling crap, most days.
I had an appointment this morning, follow up from my cortisone, and I laid it on thick, Its worse than ever, seems to be getting more painful and spreading, and then I told him I was worried its something sinister. He assured me an Xray would of picked up any mass on my shoulder, I wasn't so sure, but it put me at ease, a little, but I still aren't confident. He referred me that maybe we should jump into surgery, but I've requested one more injection and a full ultrasound to scope out the entire shoulder. It's insurance, so he obliged and said that's a smart decision.
If this next injection doesnt work, Its a full MRI before decision of surgery is going to given from my point of view.
So this is the first part of my post, Basically a rant of me worrying and being a hypochondriac - and really posting it in any hopes that someone can relate, has had similar, or can put my mind at ease a little.
The second part.
Countless of my gym acquaintances over the years, are on some PED's of some description on and off over the years. Some are body builders, some are crossfitters, others are power lifters and some are just gym people who want to look good, who am I to judge, they're still good people.
I've never touched PED's, which is strange given that I have over consumed recreationally in my past. Steroids etc are not something I want in my life nor are they screaming to me in any way shape or form to assist my current situation. However.
A lot of these people, men and women, are referring me to "peptides". Particularly BPC157 and TB500. Essentially proteins that the body has in small doses, that people are synthesizing, and injecting in higher dosages. Research is pretty heavy, but none of it particularly legally binding. Apparently, from what I have been told and briefly read into (I admittedly haven't looked much, as I haven't given it a thought, until this morning) BPC and TB together form a "wolverine" healing state. Calls from multiple people across many industries stating it rapidly heals issues around any injury, bone including.
There is a massive red flag, on them however. DO NOT USE if you are at risk of cancer. We'll that's the kicker, is anyone sure at any time they don't have it? The reason why is, it promotes growth of blood vessels and other such things, which allows for faster growth of any cell, including bad ones.
So here's the second reason for this post, has anyone had any dealings with these peptides, personally or otherwise, perhaps anyone in the medical industry?
My plan, providing the research goes okay and I can stop worrying about little things all the time, and nobody here completely dissuades me with horror stories or condemnation, would be to take a 2-3 weeks course of these peptides, along side the cortisone injection, to try and heal this "bursitis" once and for all, in the hopes I am fighting fit and can avoid surgery.
Happy for any input or comments. Really just wanted to vent a little as keeping worries in about these things isn't good. I told my partner a few days ago just how much of an affect being injured and not being able to have my "me" time to fix my mental health and deal with my problems through the gym is really pushing me over the edge. She understood, and so why not vent it here too.
Note sure what extras you’re hoping for here. You’ve got good private healthcare who are assessing and treating you, let them lead the treatment, not faceless people who you have no idea what their background is.
Ask vitality about the PEDs if you want to take them, I’m sure they’ll have an opinion.
Ask vitality about the PEDs if you want to take them, I’m sure they’ll have an opinion.
I can't give you complete reassurance obviously, but I'm currently in a similar boat. I've had right shoulder pain for around 9 months now. Most of the time I'm pain free, but after lifting heavy items or extensive use, I get mild pain. I was playing badminton for 2 hours a week at a fairly competitive level, so this is an obvious candidate for the cause. I saw a physio for 6 weeks, which made no difference.
I also saw the Chris Hoy story and went into a bit of a health anxiety induced meltdown. My anxiety subsequently added a number of new physical symptoms, various aches and pains across my body, which just made my anxiety worse. The vicious circle. I've since seen an orthopedic consultant and had an MRI. I'm waiting on the results now.
In case you weren't aware, Chris Hoy also had pain in his ribs, and both his father and grandfather had prostate cancer. So he was at a greatly increased risk of prostate cancer. This made me feel a bit better.
I'm getting my MRI results a week tomorrow, I'll update this post when I get them. I've managed to get my health under control now, and I'm fairly certain it's likely to be either a shoulder impingement or a small rotator cuff injury.
I also saw the Chris Hoy story and went into a bit of a health anxiety induced meltdown. My anxiety subsequently added a number of new physical symptoms, various aches and pains across my body, which just made my anxiety worse. The vicious circle. I've since seen an orthopedic consultant and had an MRI. I'm waiting on the results now.
In case you weren't aware, Chris Hoy also had pain in his ribs, and both his father and grandfather had prostate cancer. So he was at a greatly increased risk of prostate cancer. This made me feel a bit better.
I'm getting my MRI results a week tomorrow, I'll update this post when I get them. I've managed to get my health under control now, and I'm fairly certain it's likely to be either a shoulder impingement or a small rotator cuff injury.
Appreciate the relatable comments.
Glad to know I arent the only one who freaked out. I wasnt aware of his background or the other issues so I appreciate you bringing those to my attention! Hopefully your MRI will come out clean and perhaps find out the issues you're having! Have the recommended surgery for yourself at any point?
Re the MRI first, I most likely could of asked for it, however the specialist seemed adamant and positive to do the cortisone with an ultrasound first. I perhaps could of pressed for an MRI now, but I feel that would just be me, enabling myself to worry more.
Hoping the extended ultrasound and guided injection appointment is next week, and perhaps get some more insight into it.
Re: Peptides, still on shaky ground with it, I didn't want to ask the physician on the grounds of saying something that might void the insurance or further treatment for this condition or any others that may come up in the future.
Glad to know I arent the only one who freaked out. I wasnt aware of his background or the other issues so I appreciate you bringing those to my attention! Hopefully your MRI will come out clean and perhaps find out the issues you're having! Have the recommended surgery for yourself at any point?
Re the MRI first, I most likely could of asked for it, however the specialist seemed adamant and positive to do the cortisone with an ultrasound first. I perhaps could of pressed for an MRI now, but I feel that would just be me, enabling myself to worry more.
Hoping the extended ultrasound and guided injection appointment is next week, and perhaps get some more insight into it.
Re: Peptides, still on shaky ground with it, I didn't want to ask the physician on the grounds of saying something that might void the insurance or further treatment for this condition or any others that may come up in the future.
Bill said:
No mention of physio? No point having an injection if you're not doing rehab.
apologies Bill, I may of missed that from the original post. I had extensive physio and Osteo in the weeks leading up to my first plunge on the vitality claim, and have maintained osteo and massages throughout too. Physio (I was doing it privately) decided it would be a waste of time and money on my part until we have a true medical explanation.There was some thought process that it could stem from weakness and imbalance through my Rhomboid. They put it down to my powerlifting and strength training taking a decline for more functional and mobility work and an underlying issue that was previously masked by strong muscles making an appearance. The problem is the recovery movements are agony to perform, so there's something that needs fixing before it.
XJ75 said:
Which specialist did you see in the first instance? I saw an orthopedic consultant and when Bupa authorised his consultation they pre-approved an MRI at the same time, not sure if that's why he went straight for the MRI?
With Spire in the East Riding, my initial thought at the time before seeing the specialist was that they would immediately MRI, but I trusted his judgement at the time, and seemed positive. Obviously as the weeks have gone its significantly worse.axel1990chp said:
So I've suffered with pain in my right shoulder for 5 months now. I'm currently under treatment which I aren't particularly a fan of, nor do I feel its accurate, but who am I to judge, I have to follow what I'm told, but it just doesn't feel right.
History,
Wake up one morning, no noticeable issue - life as normal. Go to the gym, regular warmup and mobility exercises I do as with any upper body day. Blood flow movements, isometrics, bands, rotator cuff movements and stretching. All good. Head into the first weighted exercise, backless seated single arm dumbbell press, sounds a mouthful. Grabbed a 12kg as is customary for me to get a little blood flow and familiarise with the movement. Immediately, rep one, I felt something not right in the front of my shoulder. It wasn't something I had JUST done with the movement. I tried a side raise with a 6kg, felt fine, but still wasn't sure. I did the right thing, packed up and headed home - I've had niggles in places before, and usually with a week of rest its usually fine.
Fast forward 3 weeks, I've not done any upper body, including any yoga, that I would do with my partner as she's a yoga teacher. I've come back from a stag do feeling particularly ready to get back in the gym, but its just not right, in fact it feels slightly worse. A common stretch I would perform in the morning is "child's pose" - on your knees, lean over your mat forward and extend your arms out. Easy enough? Nope, shoulder feels completely restricted, like there's something blocking full extension overhead of my arm, within my shoulder, and its painful.
Time to seek assistance.
I'm lucky we have a private healthcare with my employer, Vitality, some of you may have it also, absolutely amazing when there's issues, beats hanging around for the NHS. Quick phone call, authorized to see a specialist locally, booked in.
First appointment I have an X-Ray, nothing wrong with it, no damage or any issues, but diagnoses that I perhaps have an inflamed bursa, as "impingements" are caused by bone issues. Booked in for an ultrasound and a cortisone injection to boot. The fella doing the ultrasound said my bursa is really inflamed. That happens, feels disgusting, nearly pass out from the sensation, and my arm feels numb.
A week on from the injection and my arm just feels crap, shoulder still has pain, but its more a dumb dull pain. Rang up the doctor and I'm told by the nurses that its normal and I should wait 2 weeks and keep from using it, maybe take ibuprofen with it to help it out. So I did that, and then my arm started to feel ok, no pain thankfully, but the restricted movement is still there. I'm well aware the cortisone is just masking the pain, so I do the sensible thing and refrain from using it.
2 weeks later, I start getting an absolutely horrendous burning pain down my tricep - as if someone has taken a blow torch to my arm, just for a second. I ring my vitality and I'm told it could just be damage from using it, I called bull because I've been resting it, but they prescribe naproxen. I take it, and the burning random shooting pain has stopped, but I am left with a very sensitive, and sore to touch tricep ALL of the time now.
Injection was early-mid September, the pain came back on the 7th November, but it was significantly worse, its not just under movement anymore, its just any time I am sat down, moving around, doing anything, throbbing on off pain of different levels and in different parts of the shoulder.
What's been blagging my head, and giving me sleepless nights and causing me to worry, is that firstly, I use the gym and physical activity to destress, and to give me some mental clarity, that's been taken away from me, and it will be for a while longer. I can accept that, If I know its going to get better.
What's REALLY been kicking me is the news of Chris Hoy, now I have stayed away from reading any of it, because as soon as I saw he had shoulder pain that got worse and worse, I immediately correlated it to myself. Stupid perhaps, I know, but I think its just human nature, to an extent, isn't it?
"Have they injected steroids into a tumour, is it growing, is that why its getting worse?"
Couple this with noticeable muscle loss from naturally not training any upper body movements for 5 months, its had me stressing out and feeling crap, most days.
I had an appointment this morning, follow up from my cortisone, and I laid it on thick, Its worse than ever, seems to be getting more painful and spreading, and then I told him I was worried its something sinister. He assured me an Xray would of picked up any mass on my shoulder, I wasn't so sure, but it put me at ease, a little, but I still aren't confident. He referred me that maybe we should jump into surgery, but I've requested one more injection and a full ultrasound to scope out the entire shoulder. It's insurance, so he obliged and said that's a smart decision.
If this next injection doesnt work, Its a full MRI before decision of surgery is going to given from my point of view.
So this is the first part of my post, Basically a rant of me worrying and being a hypochondriac - and really posting it in any hopes that someone can relate, has had similar, or can put my mind at ease a little.
The second part.
Countless of my gym acquaintances over the years, are on some PED's of some description on and off over the years. Some are body builders, some are crossfitters, others are power lifters and some are just gym people who want to look good, who am I to judge, they're still good people.
I've never touched PED's, which is strange given that I have over consumed recreationally in my past. Steroids etc are not something I want in my life nor are they screaming to me in any way shape or form to assist my current situation. However.
A lot of these people, men and women, are referring me to "peptides". Particularly BPC157 and TB500. Essentially proteins that the body has in small doses, that people are synthesizing, and injecting in higher dosages. Research is pretty heavy, but none of it particularly legally binding. Apparently, from what I have been told and briefly read into (I admittedly haven't looked much, as I haven't given it a thought, until this morning) BPC and TB together form a "wolverine" healing state. Calls from multiple people across many industries stating it rapidly heals issues around any injury, bone including.
There is a massive red flag, on them however. DO NOT USE if you are at risk of cancer. We'll that's the kicker, is anyone sure at any time they don't have it? The reason why is, it promotes growth of blood vessels and other such things, which allows for faster growth of any cell, including bad ones.
So here's the second reason for this post, has anyone had any dealings with these peptides, personally or otherwise, perhaps anyone in the medical industry?
My plan, providing the research goes okay and I can stop worrying about little things all the time, and nobody here completely dissuades me with horror stories or condemnation, would be to take a 2-3 weeks course of these peptides, along side the cortisone injection, to try and heal this "bursitis" once and for all, in the hopes I am fighting fit and can avoid surgery.
Happy for any input or comments. Really just wanted to vent a little as keeping worries in about these things isn't good. I told my partner a few days ago just how much of an affect being injured and not being able to have my "me" time to fix my mental health and deal with my problems through the gym is really pushing me over the edge. She understood, and so why not vent it here too.
Ex competitive powerlifter (lifetime drug free) here and I've had and still have bursitis in both shoulders and elbows and the only way to manage it is with the right exercises and staying very hydrated with various supplements, some work, some don't etcHistory,
Wake up one morning, no noticeable issue - life as normal. Go to the gym, regular warmup and mobility exercises I do as with any upper body day. Blood flow movements, isometrics, bands, rotator cuff movements and stretching. All good. Head into the first weighted exercise, backless seated single arm dumbbell press, sounds a mouthful. Grabbed a 12kg as is customary for me to get a little blood flow and familiarise with the movement. Immediately, rep one, I felt something not right in the front of my shoulder. It wasn't something I had JUST done with the movement. I tried a side raise with a 6kg, felt fine, but still wasn't sure. I did the right thing, packed up and headed home - I've had niggles in places before, and usually with a week of rest its usually fine.
Fast forward 3 weeks, I've not done any upper body, including any yoga, that I would do with my partner as she's a yoga teacher. I've come back from a stag do feeling particularly ready to get back in the gym, but its just not right, in fact it feels slightly worse. A common stretch I would perform in the morning is "child's pose" - on your knees, lean over your mat forward and extend your arms out. Easy enough? Nope, shoulder feels completely restricted, like there's something blocking full extension overhead of my arm, within my shoulder, and its painful.
Time to seek assistance.
I'm lucky we have a private healthcare with my employer, Vitality, some of you may have it also, absolutely amazing when there's issues, beats hanging around for the NHS. Quick phone call, authorized to see a specialist locally, booked in.
First appointment I have an X-Ray, nothing wrong with it, no damage or any issues, but diagnoses that I perhaps have an inflamed bursa, as "impingements" are caused by bone issues. Booked in for an ultrasound and a cortisone injection to boot. The fella doing the ultrasound said my bursa is really inflamed. That happens, feels disgusting, nearly pass out from the sensation, and my arm feels numb.
A week on from the injection and my arm just feels crap, shoulder still has pain, but its more a dumb dull pain. Rang up the doctor and I'm told by the nurses that its normal and I should wait 2 weeks and keep from using it, maybe take ibuprofen with it to help it out. So I did that, and then my arm started to feel ok, no pain thankfully, but the restricted movement is still there. I'm well aware the cortisone is just masking the pain, so I do the sensible thing and refrain from using it.
2 weeks later, I start getting an absolutely horrendous burning pain down my tricep - as if someone has taken a blow torch to my arm, just for a second. I ring my vitality and I'm told it could just be damage from using it, I called bull because I've been resting it, but they prescribe naproxen. I take it, and the burning random shooting pain has stopped, but I am left with a very sensitive, and sore to touch tricep ALL of the time now.
Injection was early-mid September, the pain came back on the 7th November, but it was significantly worse, its not just under movement anymore, its just any time I am sat down, moving around, doing anything, throbbing on off pain of different levels and in different parts of the shoulder.
What's been blagging my head, and giving me sleepless nights and causing me to worry, is that firstly, I use the gym and physical activity to destress, and to give me some mental clarity, that's been taken away from me, and it will be for a while longer. I can accept that, If I know its going to get better.
What's REALLY been kicking me is the news of Chris Hoy, now I have stayed away from reading any of it, because as soon as I saw he had shoulder pain that got worse and worse, I immediately correlated it to myself. Stupid perhaps, I know, but I think its just human nature, to an extent, isn't it?
"Have they injected steroids into a tumour, is it growing, is that why its getting worse?"
Couple this with noticeable muscle loss from naturally not training any upper body movements for 5 months, its had me stressing out and feeling crap, most days.
I had an appointment this morning, follow up from my cortisone, and I laid it on thick, Its worse than ever, seems to be getting more painful and spreading, and then I told him I was worried its something sinister. He assured me an Xray would of picked up any mass on my shoulder, I wasn't so sure, but it put me at ease, a little, but I still aren't confident. He referred me that maybe we should jump into surgery, but I've requested one more injection and a full ultrasound to scope out the entire shoulder. It's insurance, so he obliged and said that's a smart decision.
If this next injection doesnt work, Its a full MRI before decision of surgery is going to given from my point of view.
So this is the first part of my post, Basically a rant of me worrying and being a hypochondriac - and really posting it in any hopes that someone can relate, has had similar, or can put my mind at ease a little.
The second part.
Countless of my gym acquaintances over the years, are on some PED's of some description on and off over the years. Some are body builders, some are crossfitters, others are power lifters and some are just gym people who want to look good, who am I to judge, they're still good people.
I've never touched PED's, which is strange given that I have over consumed recreationally in my past. Steroids etc are not something I want in my life nor are they screaming to me in any way shape or form to assist my current situation. However.
A lot of these people, men and women, are referring me to "peptides". Particularly BPC157 and TB500. Essentially proteins that the body has in small doses, that people are synthesizing, and injecting in higher dosages. Research is pretty heavy, but none of it particularly legally binding. Apparently, from what I have been told and briefly read into (I admittedly haven't looked much, as I haven't given it a thought, until this morning) BPC and TB together form a "wolverine" healing state. Calls from multiple people across many industries stating it rapidly heals issues around any injury, bone including.
There is a massive red flag, on them however. DO NOT USE if you are at risk of cancer. We'll that's the kicker, is anyone sure at any time they don't have it? The reason why is, it promotes growth of blood vessels and other such things, which allows for faster growth of any cell, including bad ones.
So here's the second reason for this post, has anyone had any dealings with these peptides, personally or otherwise, perhaps anyone in the medical industry?
My plan, providing the research goes okay and I can stop worrying about little things all the time, and nobody here completely dissuades me with horror stories or condemnation, would be to take a 2-3 weeks course of these peptides, along side the cortisone injection, to try and heal this "bursitis" once and for all, in the hopes I am fighting fit and can avoid surgery.
Happy for any input or comments. Really just wanted to vent a little as keeping worries in about these things isn't good. I told my partner a few days ago just how much of an affect being injured and not being able to have my "me" time to fix my mental health and deal with my problems through the gym is really pushing me over the edge. She understood, and so why not vent it here too.
Now I've backed right off the heavy lifting it's much, much better, more so my elbows. It could be like sever toothache at times, about the only way I could describe it
I would not recommend any PEDs or similar to fix; but I'd whole heartedly recommend a decent sports physio that understands shoulder/neck injuries; I'm fortunate to know one here in Preston and he's been a godsend
I have a full health scan every year through my private healthcare - full bloods, ECG, lung tests, scans, all sorts.
If you're a bit of a worrier it could be worth checking if Vitality offer such a service at a discounted rate to members. I have a family history of certain conditions and it's quite comforting to know that if any issues do arise they will hopefully be spotted early.
If you're a bit of a worrier it could be worth checking if Vitality offer such a service at a discounted rate to members. I have a family history of certain conditions and it's quite comforting to know that if any issues do arise they will hopefully be spotted early.
axel1990chp said:
apologies Bill, I may of missed that from the original post. I had extensive physio and Osteo in the weeks leading up to my first plunge on the vitality claim, and have maintained osteo and massages throughout too. Physio (I was doing it privately) decided it would be a waste of time and money on my part until we have a true medical explanation.
There was some thought process that it could stem from weakness and imbalance through my Rhomboid. They put it down to my powerlifting and strength training taking a decline for more functional and mobility work and an underlying issue that was previously masked by strong muscles making an appearance. The problem is the recovery movements are agony to perform, so there's something that needs fixing before it
There was some thought process that it could stem from weakness and imbalance through my Rhomboid. They put it down to my powerlifting and strength training taking a decline for more functional and mobility work and an underlying issue that was previously masked by strong muscles making an appearance. The problem is the recovery movements are agony to perform, so there's something that needs fixing before it
You need to revisit this. This far down the line you'll have all sorts of weakness and adapted movement patterns.XJ75 said:
I can't give you complete reassurance obviously, but I'm currently in a similar boat. I've had right shoulder pain for around 9 months now. Most of the time I'm pain free, but after lifting heavy items or extensive use, I get mild pain. I was playing badminton for 2 hours a week at a fairly competitive level, so this is an obvious candidate for the cause. I saw a physio for 6 weeks, which made no difference.
I also saw the Chris Hoy story and went into a bit of a health anxiety induced meltdown. My anxiety subsequently added a number of new physical symptoms, various aches and pains across my body, which just made my anxiety worse. The vicious circle. I've since seen an orthopedic consultant and had an MRI. I'm waiting on the results now.
In case you weren't aware, Chris Hoy also had pain in his ribs, and both his father and grandfather had prostate cancer. So he was at a greatly increased risk of prostate cancer. This made me feel a bit better.
I'm getting my MRI results a week tomorrow, I'll update this post when I get them. I've managed to get my health under control now, and I'm fairly certain it's likely to be either a shoulder impingement or a small rotator cuff injury.
Another one in the same boat! I'm glad I'm not the only freak!I also saw the Chris Hoy story and went into a bit of a health anxiety induced meltdown. My anxiety subsequently added a number of new physical symptoms, various aches and pains across my body, which just made my anxiety worse. The vicious circle. I've since seen an orthopedic consultant and had an MRI. I'm waiting on the results now.
In case you weren't aware, Chris Hoy also had pain in his ribs, and both his father and grandfather had prostate cancer. So he was at a greatly increased risk of prostate cancer. This made me feel a bit better.
I'm getting my MRI results a week tomorrow, I'll update this post when I get them. I've managed to get my health under control now, and I'm fairly certain it's likely to be either a shoulder impingement or a small rotator cuff injury.
Since a back op a year ago, I've been steadily building up core strength and general muscle tone to support my lower back. In the last 6 months my training (every other day, for what its worth) has included around 4 x 15 reps of bicep curls using an EZ bar (only 20kg max), and around 4 x 10 press up reps.
Since adding these 2 exercises, my left shoulder has started aching on and off.
I've looked at form, weight, rest days etc, but the left shoulder ache persists (right at the top of the bony bit on the corner of the shoulder).
As soon as I saw the Chris Hoy news, I was booking my funeral.
Just noticed:
Heart disease is the main concern if a bodybuilder is abusing anabolic steroids.
axel1990chp said:
DO NOT USE if you are at risk of cancer. We'll that's the kicker, is anyone sure at any time they don't have it? The reason why is, it promotes growth of blood vessels and other such things, which allows for faster growth of any cell, including bad ones.
So does any sport where muscular adaptation occurs. RT, running, cycling etc all force muscular adaptation to one degree or another, possible change of heart structure etc. Of course it's all balance. Resistance training is very good for arterial function and blood pressure.Heart disease is the main concern if a bodybuilder is abusing anabolic steroids.
So I have lived this pain for 5 years now on and off.
Suffered bursitis whilst away on deployment had 2 cortisol injections came home. Xray. Two mri’s no major injury other than possible bursitis.
Went on a private 4 week residential rehab course with about 10 other shoulder pain sufferers. Rehab, new posture lessons, physio, exercise changes.
All helped my symptoms disappear. But give it 3/4 months of training the symptoms came back. This happened for 3 years. All the helped was complete rest for like 1/2 months then back to rehab physio.
Getting fed up I took BPC157 and TB500 all this did was help speed up the healing but the symptoms came back at the same rate once healed.
Long story short i had surgery a year ago to remove the bursitis sack. Job done. Should of opted for it in the first place.
Suffered bursitis whilst away on deployment had 2 cortisol injections came home. Xray. Two mri’s no major injury other than possible bursitis.
Went on a private 4 week residential rehab course with about 10 other shoulder pain sufferers. Rehab, new posture lessons, physio, exercise changes.
All helped my symptoms disappear. But give it 3/4 months of training the symptoms came back. This happened for 3 years. All the helped was complete rest for like 1/2 months then back to rehab physio.
Getting fed up I took BPC157 and TB500 all this did was help speed up the healing but the symptoms came back at the same rate once healed.
Long story short i had surgery a year ago to remove the bursitis sack. Job done. Should of opted for it in the first place.
JSP440 said:
So I have lived this pain for 5 years now on and off.
Suffered bursitis whilst away on deployment had 2 cortisol injections came home. Xray. Two mri’s no major injury other than possible bursitis.
Went on a private 4 week residential rehab course with about 10 other shoulder pain sufferers. Rehab, new posture lessons, physio, exercise changes.
All helped my symptoms disappear. But give it 3/4 months of training the symptoms came back. This happened for 3 years. All the helped was complete rest for like 1/2 months then back to rehab physio.
Getting fed up I took BPC157 and TB500 all this did was help speed up the healing but the symptoms came back at the same rate once healed.
Long story short i had surgery a year ago to remove the bursitis sack. Job done. Should of opted for it in the first place.
Thanks for sharing JSP. Was there anything in particular that caused your initial incident, or like mine was it a seemingly nothing event?Suffered bursitis whilst away on deployment had 2 cortisol injections came home. Xray. Two mri’s no major injury other than possible bursitis.
Went on a private 4 week residential rehab course with about 10 other shoulder pain sufferers. Rehab, new posture lessons, physio, exercise changes.
All helped my symptoms disappear. But give it 3/4 months of training the symptoms came back. This happened for 3 years. All the helped was complete rest for like 1/2 months then back to rehab physio.
Getting fed up I took BPC157 and TB500 all this did was help speed up the healing but the symptoms came back at the same rate once healed.
Long story short i had surgery a year ago to remove the bursitis sack. Job done. Should of opted for it in the first place.
When I was offered surgery, it was an Acromioplasty, google states the following; "During subacromial decompression the surgeon removes or shaves down part the shoulder blade’s acromion. By removing bone tissue, the surgeon creates more space for the shoulder’s soft tissues, including the rotator cuff, tendons, and the subacromial bursa." I was told it was extremely painful for a few weeks. I've also had conflicting reports, a colleague who is an avid rugby player has had it done, said he feels fantastic in his shoulder now, a friends aunt had it done, her shoulder is kaput now. Id probably align more with an athlete than an elderly woman (id hope) but it makes me worried, should it get to it.
I was never told about the removal of the Bursa itself, how did the surgery go and was there any issues in your rehab or lasting noticeable affects? I assume it was done via keyhole?
I am leaning on the peptides to run along side this next cortisone to see if it gets the job done, and hope with all my digits crossed it never comes back, like it had done for yourself. I suppose time will tell.
Peterpetrole said:
I know you briefly mentioned rotator cuff exercises (weighted?) but rotator cuff injuries are common and very often misdiagnosed as bursitus.
Thats good to know Peter. Thanks! I would assume and MRI is the perfect tool for finding a torn rotator cuff, which will be the next request should this second injection not fix it!Regarding the exercises, I would start with simple corkscrews, lateral and overhead, then expanding the radius of the movement into a centrifugal movement simply to allow blood flow and loosen up. Cross body stretches into childs pose numerous times. Banded movements of all degree. A very perculiar but easy for me, full shoulder and chest stretch in which you bend back on your arm on the floor, and reach your hand behind you (I forget the exact name for the movement), I get a lot of amazed looks at the flexibility and mobility when I do it! Then onto weighted (only 2/3/4kg respectively) rotator cuff movements, firstly with cable weight and then to free weight (Same weight values).
Similarly my "Upper" days consisted of feet up DB presses, maximum weight id cap at 40kg and never push above. Shoulder movement was a single arm unsupported DB press, again max of 26kg and never ventued above that. Other movements include pull-ups, BB rows and... Where I potentially feel some damage may have come from... dips.
Dips, I've never really got on with them from being my younger self. I had a small issue with this same shoulder many years ago, perhaps 15. Again a small "niggle" in the shoulder that I rested for a few months, then carried on training, it was caused by dips, poor form or excessive effort caused it to feel major discomfort.
I started them again as part of a switch from Strength/Size training to Mobility, flexibility and .... Longevity
in my training for a healthier body! It's a shame because if the prolonged dips were what caused this to rear its head, I really do enjoy the movement, Its fantastic for building tricep shape without much need for anything else, and I feel body weight training is probably one of the healthiest ways to train.
Going forward, maybe dips are exempt!
axel1990chp said:
Thats good to know Peter. Thanks! I would assume and MRI is the perfect tool for finding a torn rotator cuff, which will be the next request should this second injection not fix it!
Regarding the exercises, I would start with simple corkscrews, lateral and overhead, then expanding the radius of the movement into a centrifugal movement simply to allow blood flow and loosen up. Cross body stretches into childs pose numerous times. Banded movements of all degree. A very perculiar but easy for me, full shoulder and chest stretch in which you bend back on your arm on the floor, and reach your hand behind you (I forget the exact name for the movement), I get a lot of amazed looks at the flexibility and mobility when I do it! Then onto weighted (only 2/3/4kg respectively) rotator cuff movements, firstly with cable weight and then to free weight (Same weight values).
Similarly my "Upper" days consisted of feet up DB presses, maximum weight id cap at 40kg and never push above. Shoulder movement was a single arm unsupported DB press, again max of 26kg and never ventued above that. Other movements include pull-ups, BB rows and... Where I potentially feel some damage may have come from... dips.
Dips, I've never really got on with them from being my younger self. I had a small issue with this same shoulder many years ago, perhaps 15. Again a small "niggle" in the shoulder that I rested for a few months, then carried on training, it was caused by dips, poor form or excessive effort caused it to feel major discomfort.
I started them again as part of a switch from Strength/Size training to Mobility, flexibility and .... Longevity in my training for a healthier body!
It's a shame because if the prolonged dips were what caused this to rear its head, I really do enjoy the movement, Its fantastic for building tricep shape without much need for anything else, and I feel body weight training is probably one of the healthiest ways to train.
Going forward, maybe dips are exempt!
Yes I'd probably be most suspicious of dips, I still cautiously do them as it's a great movement as you say, but it's pretty clear that you can get into a really deep stretch too easily, so I limit the RoM a lot. Regarding the exercises, I would start with simple corkscrews, lateral and overhead, then expanding the radius of the movement into a centrifugal movement simply to allow blood flow and loosen up. Cross body stretches into childs pose numerous times. Banded movements of all degree. A very perculiar but easy for me, full shoulder and chest stretch in which you bend back on your arm on the floor, and reach your hand behind you (I forget the exact name for the movement), I get a lot of amazed looks at the flexibility and mobility when I do it! Then onto weighted (only 2/3/4kg respectively) rotator cuff movements, firstly with cable weight and then to free weight (Same weight values).
Similarly my "Upper" days consisted of feet up DB presses, maximum weight id cap at 40kg and never push above. Shoulder movement was a single arm unsupported DB press, again max of 26kg and never ventued above that. Other movements include pull-ups, BB rows and... Where I potentially feel some damage may have come from... dips.
Dips, I've never really got on with them from being my younger self. I had a small issue with this same shoulder many years ago, perhaps 15. Again a small "niggle" in the shoulder that I rested for a few months, then carried on training, it was caused by dips, poor form or excessive effort caused it to feel major discomfort.
I started them again as part of a switch from Strength/Size training to Mobility, flexibility and .... Longevity
in my training for a healthier body! It's a shame because if the prolonged dips were what caused this to rear its head, I really do enjoy the movement, Its fantastic for building tricep shape without much need for anything else, and I feel body weight training is probably one of the healthiest ways to train.
Going forward, maybe dips are exempt!
MRI though for certain.
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