[sholt54]

#1059769

Hello all! It has been awhile since I have sought some insight to my new Graves symptoms. I had an I 131 ablation in 2002 for hyperthyroidism and three months later my eyes started their daily tearing. Proptosis ensued with 27mm up to 28mm measurements. In 2008,’09,’10 had oral and iv steroid therapy and Retuxan infusions (2) for continued elevation of TSI (400-600), a bilateral 3 wall orbital decompression, bilat strabismus surg a year later when nothing worked to reduce inflammation to have the diplopia surg, several weeks later had bilateral lower lid blephroplasty with porcine tissue to elevate sagging lids.
Over the past two years I have had increasing left shoulder pain with limited range of motion. Had mri in 2011 and another in 2012. Physical therapy and cortizone injections provided a temporary fix. March 20,2013 went to outpatient surgery center for arthroscopic subachromial decompression…when surgeon viewed my joint capsule it was one of the worst they had seen for the condition of adhesive capsulitis. I was told I must have a very strong threshold of pain. The orthopaedic surgeon stated this is a condition that can be associated with thyroid disorders. I had never been told this and so sought out articles.. lo and behold yet another physical issue to relate back to Graves.
I am an MRI technologist and apparently adhesive capsulitis is a condition I have never read about nor read a radiologists dictation that mentions this problem. Yes, I had a bone spur and bursitis also but the spur had not caused any tendon tears. Has anyone else experienced this joint problem?

[sholt54]

#1177397

Should have signed off as Sally McGOO!! Lost my humor guys.

[snelsen]

#1177398

Super short reply for now. I am SO sorry about your continuing pain. Chronic acute pain is not good at all.
I do not know, have not read, anything associating the two conditions. I hope Kimberly does some research on this. My quick impression is that orthopedic surgeons do not know, nor would they give a diddly squat about anything thyroid or endocrine. (I work in health care, too!!!) Unless it is a bone, I can’t imagine them being interested.

OK, mea culpa, I read the mayoclinic website, and both hypo and hyperthyroidism are mentioned as a factor. I don’t know if this is based on an anedotal study, or a good one.

My question now, is what measures can be taken for adhesive capsulitis to help YOU? I read that it has three stages, and it actually dissipates and resolves in a period of 2-3 years.

I am sure you have done a lot of your own reading, and know all of this.
AND, from what I read, whether you do/don’t know, the course of this shoulder business, or the treatments that exist, would not change. Which you also probably know.
I sure am sorry. Not fair! I hope you get the the third stage of almost complete recovery, very soon. Looks like you are more that ready for that, dealing with this for 2 long years.
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1177399

Hello – I don’t have much to add to what you already know and to Shirley’s comments, other than to agree that there *is* a link between this condition and thyroid disorders. Here are a couple of articles that might be of interest, one from the Cleveland Clinic and another from a study that was published in Clinical Endocrinology several years ago.

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/orthopaedics-rheumatology/diseases-conditions/frozen-shoulder-vs-adhesive-capsulitis.aspx

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12864792

I hope that you can get some relief soon!

[sholt54]

#1177400

Thank you for your responses back. It is really appreciated. I am diligently doing my post op PT exercises at home and at my therapy appt’s. I don’t want the adhesions that were delt with in surgery to raise their ugly heads again. With an autoimmune dx that has no cure, it makes me wonder if it would happen again or was it just a random adhesion problem that can be common with thyroid disorders and once taken care of its a done deal.??

I was surprized to see that endometriosis is also an autoimmune disorder? I have never heard that remark.
I never knew I had endometriosis until December of 2011 when I went to the ER with what I thought was an appendicitis attack and lo and behold after several tests was scheduled for surgery. The surgeon had to remove part of my colon as well as my appendix due to a scarring down by endometriosis. Then this last week, adhesions of my shoulder were discovered and removed.
Wonder if there is something else I could be pro active about to stave off these responses that are occurring in my body. My TSI remains high (400-600) as always. Never responded to steroids and insurance wouldn’t approve of any more Retuxin infusion therapy after my first infusion because it is not “indicated” in the package insert for TSI thyroid issues.
Anyone else prescribed Plaquenil to try and stem TSI levels? My immunologist had me try it but the loose stools were not tolerable.

The whole OD experience was something I felt was finally behind me…
I am so thankful that GDATF has this site. I need to follow the advice I gave my daughters as they were growing up…keep on keepin on and this too shall pass:)

[Kimberly]

#1177401

Hello – I’ve heard conflicting reports on whether endometriosis is or is not autoimmune in origin. One more thing that researchers don’t agree on!

I am not at all familiar with Plaquenil, but it will be interesting to see if you get some other responses.

Take care!

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