[lanamommyphd07]

Okay, it's been a year and some months since I first noticed this shoulder thing. I attributed it to side-laying nursing and falling asleep with my arm up over my head. So a year goes by, it doesn't get any better, and I go to the doctor, who says my rotator cuff is affected. This doesn't seem right to me but I went to the p.t. anyway, and paid out the a$$, and still no difference. A massage therapist tells me it sounds like a bicep tendon out of whack. So, stymied and still without a useful arm, I thought I'd post it here and see what other mommies may have experienced with this. Honestly, someone here simply HAS to have gone down this road. (DD is still night-nursing and I'm still occasionally falling asleep like that.)
here's the basic effect (not seeking medical advice here, just seeking a BTDT and WWYD question): If I had to water a plant or pour coffee up high with my elbow out I would drop the thing I was pouring. The arm just doesn't hold up. I can lift my arm up, but when it comes to, say, holding my palms together in a "prayer" sort of position in front of my body or depending on anything with a bent elbow I'm screwed. Other areas of my arm, wrist, etc., I think have been doing double duty, thus my inability to accurately describe the stupid thing to medical professionals.
Is there a "night-nursing-arm-injury-itis" or something out there?

 

[vegancat]

I think I understand what you're describing. I've woken up several times with a sore arm, although not nearly as severe as what you're experiencing. Do you sleep with that arm under the pillow? Maybe you're lying on it, compressing nerves and blood vessels? I do that, and have had a sore bicep for a few days that causes problems lifting things (pouring the kettle for example). I wonder if yoga or active release would help the problem? I found a long hot shower and some stretches sorted mine, but it wasn't nearly as sore as what you describe. Owch!

 

[ASusan]

I believe I had something similar.

If I had a T-shirt on, I couldn't cross my arms in front and take it off.
If I were lying on my back, under the covers, I couldn't have my arm across my chest and toss the covers off. (I would be stuck under the covers.)

PT had me doing these bizarre exercises which did NO good. I had to have a little pillow under my armpit when I typed... My workplace was evaluated for proper positioning of chair, computer, and keyboard. My car seat positioning was checked by the PT. I had to ice daily. Nothing worked.

What worked was getting rid of my standard shift car. It was just this particular car, not ANY standard shift car.

My point in telling you this is that you may have to change the way you're night nursing.

AND, I had problems with my back from night nursing (eventually had surgery, but I don't think the original problem came from night nursing). But the sidelying certainly exacerbated it. I still have side-lying, night nursing pain in my back. I make sure to sleep on my other side whenever my LO doesn't need to be nursing. I also switched sides with DH. LO sleeps between us, so this allowed me to be on the other side for a few months.

Maybe you could switch positions with your DP?

 

[ASusan]

I can totally "feel" what you are describing.

Can you do exercises which strengthen your lats?

Chiropracter?

 

[lanamommyphd07]

Thanks for the replies! It's good to know it's not a freakish thing--I just wish I knew how to describe it better to a professional-- you know like "my whoosiewatchit tendon is strained and causing a lack of range in my whatchagigger." Maybe someone would know how to fix it if I could call it out. sigh.

 

[hooseanna]

NAK.
I am right there with you. As you said "my whoosiewatchit tendon is strained and causing a lack of range in my whatchagigger."

Not sleeping on that side at all eased the pain 90 % after 3 days. I have to feed my daughter with me lying on my back and her lying accross me (cradle hold on my back ).

During the day i have to use copious amounts of pillows so my arm holds her but is not taking any weight.
the movement of my arm is still weird but pain is much better. hope you are feeling better.

 

[readytobedone]

have you tried a chiropractor? mine is a LIFESAVER, and he calls the huge knots i get along my back "nursing knots"

i definitely would try one; nothing to lose and it may very well remedy the problem pretty quickly.

 

[KD's Momma]

I think you should see a chiro! I had trouble with my arm and hand from side lying bf - was going numb and getting tingly. I had some really messed up neck and shoulder muscles - it took about 3-4 sessions before my arm was all better but I noticed a change right away.

 

[lanamommyphd07]

yeah, chiro is probably it--although the deductible with insurance is like 1,000,000 dollars, so I'm not likely to reap any benefits from being insured. Whiiiiiiiinnnnnnnee.....

 

[TzippityDoulah]

OH this used to happen to me with night nursing!! (and it actually happens when I lie on that side during pregnancy too)

sadly I don't think chiro visits or messages or anything else will help unless you're planning on staying offt hat side for a long while to let it heal. Have you tried arnica cream or traumeel? it certainly wont take the problem away or prevent it, but it can aid with healing.

and ouch! it really hurts! my sympathies!

 

[RainbowTurtle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HennyPenny OH this used to happen to me with night nursing!! ... sadly I don't think chiro visits or messages or anything else will help unless you're planning on staying offt hat side for a long while to let it heal.... and ouch! it really hurts! my sympathies!

:

As another pp said, try switching sides on the bed. I had hip and shoulder problems, so I feel for you. It takes a good while to get better but it does feel less painful after only a few days. The trick is to not stay in the new position too long because the problem will just change sides.

Once your sore shoulder is better, switch every day or two.

Hugs mama.