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Hello everyone,

Been good here and hanging in there but I have a question for some of the members here. About 8 or 9 months ago while working out I felt a pop in my right shoulder. I had a sharp pain and could not even manage a push up for about 2 or 3 weeks. I stopped working out and it slowly felt more normal. About a week ago it began to hurt again but this time it is not getting any better. I know i need to have it looked at but what is in the back of my mind is if it is a rotater cuff which I think it is, I know my shoulder will be out of service for a while.
I have come a long way in my acceptance of diapers but the thought of being dependent on someone to diaper me has me fearful to get this checked out. Looking at some older post I saw a great suggestion by JD to tape 2 or 3 of the tabs and then step in to it like a pull up. What I wanted to ask is about how long will it take till you can use your arm again? Are there any other tricks to be able to deal with changing ones self. Oh and just for those that dont know my condition, a catheter would not be the best option.
I spoke with my wife about this this morning and she did offer to help me but my pride is an optical for me to get over but the point I made was she wont be there all the time and I will need to change about every 6 hours. I may be able to stretch it to 8 but that will be it. My wife made a suggestion that maybe we could look at a physical therapy or rehab hospital till I can manage myself. Again this idea scares the hell out of me but if I take a step back I can see the logic in it.
Can anyone share any experiances with any of this to help me get an idea what to expect and be comfortable with moving forward on getting my shoulder looked at?

Three or four years ago, I injured the rotator cuff in my right shoulder while working out with a machine at the gym. I went to a physiotherapist a couple of times a week for 4 or 5 months, did the exercises that he prescribed, and it healed up.

In my case, the pain was produced mostly by reaching up with my arm to do things like taking something off a closet shelf or a kitchen cabinet. Diapering myself was a bit painful, but I was able to do it without too much difficulty. Of course, your injury may be more severe than mine or different in some other way.

Rope.....I'm sorry you're facing yet another setback. If the wife is willing to help take her up on it. I know it's hard for us to ask for help and be dependent on others, were type "A" personalities and it really goes against our grain. Would you rather have someone else help you change or the wife. I know I'd rather see my wife standing over me than some stranger. Good luck and keep us informed.

Have you been building strength in your muscles? I have a coworker who was doing this and had developed similar problems of popping and pain. It turns out there is a shoulder muscle that fits between two bones. If the muscle gets too big then it will cause problems.

Hi Rope, good to hear from you again, but sorry to read about your problems.

Rope, there are small differences in the surgeries and we all recover at different rates, but plan on that shoulder possibly being out of action for months. If you overdo it before it has had time to completely heal, you will have a major setback or possibly permanent damage. I had to sleep in a recliner for 3 months due to the pain.

Your primary options are to pre-tape 3 of the diaper tapes and build up a stock of those diapers or plan on wearing pull-ups. Pullups are much better than nothing.

You will find it almost impossible to manage a catheter with only one hand, maintaining the hygiene necessary to avoid UTIs.

Absolutely accept your wife's offer to help you. You will need it. Even though she will not be around all of the time she will be able to help and you will appreciate it at the time. Some advice, let her see how you put on your diaper and tape it. Then ask her to change you and put diapers on you a couple of times prior to the shoulder surgery. When you come home and are in pain and fuzzy from the narcotics is not a good time to instruct your wife in how to put a diaper on you.

Practice ahead of time the 3-tape diaper trick and putting one on using only one hand, to be sure that it works for you. Also be sure that you can remove and put on your clothing with only one hand.

Remember, with only one hand, you will not be able to easily twist and reach some areas of your body. Twisting also will cause you pain.

As everything will take much longer, using just one hand, plan how you will handle a poopy diaper and clean up. It will happen when you just can't get your clothes and diaper off fast enough to use the toilet. A hand-held shower is a good option for the one-handed cleanup.

Also, the pain pills will cause you to have digestive problems. Initially severe constipation and very possibly overflow constipation in the form of diarrhea. Yuck! My doctors had me take high doses of Miralax to counter the constipation.

Plan how you will dress yourself, put on shirt, socks, shoes, etc. It will not be easy. Your wife's assistance will be very helpful here. You may find some disability dressing tools to be very helpful. I have been there multiple times and know.

After all is said and done and you have fully recovered, it will have been worth it.

I'm sure many others will offer sound advice.

Good luck!

--John

Rope,

JD is talking about recuperation after surgery. Are you sure you really need surgery?

When I had my rotator cuff problem, other guys from around my church who had had similar problems sort of "came out of the woodwork." Two of maybe 10 guys had had surgery. The others had physiotherapy as I did. JD is right that recuperation from the surgery is a lengthy process, but are you really sure you need surgery?

Glad to have you back, Rope.

Although I do not share your shoulder difficulties, I do have problems with balance, coordination, and vertigo. And, yes, needing assistance with our diapering chores is embarrassing. Over the years I have spent several hours with physical therapists and occupational therapists teaching me how to manage washing and diaper changing safely. If you can swallow your embarrassment, I'm sure they could do the same for you. Good luck.

Sorry it took a whole to get back to you guys. I dont know if I need surgery yet. I think deep down I know it will lead to that and that is why I am getting freaked out a little and avoiding going to see the doctor yet.
Sad thing is, its not getting better and I need to go ahead and take care of this before it gets worse.
Thanks to all of those that have replied. A lot of good info and insight on what to get ready for. Ill keep everyone posted if it comes down to that.

Rope, Nice to see you here again. Three years ago I broke my upper arm and collar bone and tore the rotator cuff. It took three weeks for the arm to heal and then I met with surgeon about operating on shoulder. I backed away from surgery and in a few months I had full movement. Do not rush to surgery, which most docs will recommend too quickly. Try therapy and resting it. Watching friends go through the surgery/recovery was not pretty. After the accident my wife had to diaper me for almost a month and off and on for a month after that. It is what it is, swallow your pride and take help while you heal. Good luck and welcome back. Papa

Rope,

I was able to avoid surgery on one shoulder with two sets of physical therapy. It all depends on the exact injury and how bad it is. On the other shoulder therapy was not an option and I had to have the surgery.

--John