Curtis,
I have been down the same path.
Ice/heat
Stretch bands
Light weights
Cortisone -- generally does not work for your condition(the medical research is on the internet search and read for yourself).
I could not shake the tendinitis in my shoulder.
What does work like magic?? Trigger point therapy so simple so effective - and the best part you can do it yourself anytime.
Search this site for Trigger points, and start doing it all you need is a hard rubber (lacrosse) ball and a wall.
So far so good. My shoulder feels good and it's been 2 weeks. I'm doing the exercises twice a day still. The lost post mentioned that cortisone doesn't work. Since it's been almost 2 weeks should I believe that it did work. Or 3 months from now it's going to wear out and the pain is back. I'm not sure how cortisone works. When do you think I can start working out with heavier weights and start swinging the clubs? Thanks again!
Cotisone is an anti-inflammatory. You have typical features of impingement in your history. This is where the tendon gets pinched between the upper end of the arm bone and the undersurface of the acromion (point of shoulder). Inflammation in this area leads to pain and the cortisone relieves this. Cortisone takes 10 -14 days to work. There is often discomfort the day after the injection.
Contary to other opinion on this forum it is atreatment and diagnostic tool for impingement. It also helps with cuff tendinosis and calcific tendinitis. It will not help with weakness if there is a cuff tear
The injection may last for ever or your symptoms may return. The fact that the injection has helped is importnet for the Dr treating you. The important thing is to avoid multiple steroid injections in a short space of time (<6 week intervals) as this can weaken the cuff.
If your symptoms return surgery is an option but full recovery takes one year after this.
Good luck
PS -ask your DR re return to golf but I would expect 6 weeks post injection would be reasonable and safe
Thanks Julian. Still no pain and I'm golfing. Lifting very light weights right now but want to go heavier soon. I'm scared the shot will wear off and the pain will come back. Time will tell. Thanks again, I thought I was forgotten.