I'm new to your group and don't know if I quite qualify

January 6, 2006

I hope my problem doesn't sound too minor for this group. If so,

please let me know. I will understand.

I am 64 and beginning to wonder if I can continue my 20 hour a week

position as a hospital biller. I seem to be continually either

spending money on massage therapists or going to physical therapy.

Ten years ago, I had a cervical laminectomy which I tend to think

left me with shoulder/arm weakness. I had frozen shoulder twice

after the surgery, on left and then the right side.

Now my HR Dept has sent me an email saying that they believe me to

have arthritis, so will not pay for more occuptaional physical

therapy. I'm really well regarded in my job, and have a sort of

sweet situation, choosing my own hours, etc. But it has been nothing

but trouble for the past two years. If it isn't arm problems, it is

very bad strong aching in my scapula region. I have been doing some

exercises off the web to strengthen that area, but wonder if my body

isn't signaling that it simply cannot " take it any longer. " I have

gone back to an NSAID which I must admit helps a great deal with

the pain, and one night I even took a pain killer med as well. Heat

seems to exacerbate the scapula pain. I'm getting awfully tired of

this routine.

I work for a very fine medical facility and have been visited twice

by an ergonomics specialist who has been a great help in setting up

my computer station and chair, etc as perfectly as can be expected.

But, careful as I may be, these problems creep up again. Any

thoughts?

January 6, 2006

hi And welcome to the group. No worries about being here you are

more than welcome and yes I think you fit in well. As for your

problems I am sorry to hear about them. I had a cervical fusion

several years ago so I can relate somewhat to your pain. Even though

it went very well I still have to be careful being on a computer too

long. It seems that it compounds cervical problems. One thing I did

all the time was use moist heat I lived with it on my neck and upper

back. Something you might try is water therapy, you can get the

exercises and do it yourself if you can find an indoor pool. I

learned after my surgery that doing exercises in the water was a lot

easier on my neck that any other way. have you seen a dr recently

about your pain getting worse?? If not I's say do that first, you

want to make sure you are not compounding the problems you have. It

maybe that your problems have gotten worse and you may need another

surgery, but only a dr can tell you that. Sorry thats all the help I

can offer wish it was more. If you want to try a good moist heat

pack I'd suggest therabeads, there is a link in the links section I

think to find them. Hope some of this helps. Again welcome to the

group I am sorry pain has brought you here but its a great bunch of

very supportive people. Sharon Group Owner

>

> I hope my problem doesn't sound too minor for this group. If so,

> please let me know. I will understand.

>

> I am 64 and beginning to wonder if I can continue my 20 hour a

week

> position as a hospital biller. I seem to be continually either

> spending money on massage therapists or going to physical therapy.

>

> Ten years ago, I had a cervical laminectomy which I tend to think

> left me with shoulder/arm weakness. I had frozen shoulder twice

> after the surgery, on left and then the right side.

>

> Now my HR Dept has sent me an email saying that they believe me to

> have arthritis, so will not pay for more occuptaional physical

> therapy. I'm really well regarded in my job, and have a sort of

> sweet situation, choosing my own hours, etc. But it has been

nothing

> but trouble for the past two years. If it isn't arm problems, it

is

> very bad strong aching in my scapula region. I have been doing

some

> exercises off the web to strengthen that area, but wonder if my

body

> isn't signaling that it simply cannot " take it any longer. " I have

> gone back to an NSAID which I must admit helps a great deal with

> the pain, and one night I even took a pain killer med as well.

Heat

> seems to exacerbate the scapula pain. I'm getting awfully tired of

> this routine.

>

> I work for a very fine medical facility and have been visited

twice

> by an ergonomics specialist who has been a great help in setting

up

> my computer station and chair, etc as perfectly as can be

expected.

> But, careful as I may be, these problems creep up again. Any

> thoughts?

>

January 6, 2006