There is some good advice here, especially to young Rudy. If you have a rotator cuff injury it's very important to rest it and get medical advice before doing anything else. I had an injury for a long time and eventually it was exercises and stretching that helped alot but it's critical to make sure you're doing the right exercises in the correct manner as otherwise you can make things alot worse - especially if overuse was what helped cause the injury in the first place. Those that found cortisone helpful were lucky - it did nothing for me and I've heard it can have some negative side effects too. If anyone would like to find out more about which exercises can help and how to do them I've included a link. Just make sure you see your Doc before you start the exercises! Here is a link that might be useful: Rotator Cuff Exercises

Fixer -- Glad you were not an 'interesting' patient. I had one MRI because my MD couldn't understand my 30 lb. weight loss. It didn't solve that question, but I knew I was in trouble when the tech started calling others in to look at the scan. I had a staghorn calculus nearly filling my left kidney. This required two surgeons: One to create a 'tunnel' into the kidney through my back; One to shock the calcium into pieces and suction them out. (Now I'm not certain if this was discovered during an MRI or a CT scan!) I've also had the whole body radioactive imaging -- piece of cake AND they found *nothing*! (This was post-pneumonia.)

So much like my story! I'm right handed and it's the right shoulder of course. I've been fastening my bra around my waist also. I'm also a side sleeper and I sleep on the bad shoulder, but in a position where it doesn't hurt, and on an extremely soft pillow. I tried sleeping on my left side with my arm propped just a bit. but it's just too painful. Plus, if I sleep on my good side, pulling up the covers with my bad shoulder is almost impossible! It doesn't matter what side I sleep on, when I wake up the arm won't move because it seems to freeze. It takes a few minutes for it to move again. If I got a dollar for everytime I say "Ouch!" during the day I'd be rich! lol. For now I'm going to take it day by day and wait until after the new year to make a decision. Thank you for explaining what you went through. Just remember, if you ever need a medical test done, let the tech know in advance about your shoulder. :)

Lol My3dogs!!!!! That pic is SUCH a classic! Still makes me smile & chuckle! Yes, in the burgundy chair, he's clearly saying "thanks for the nice bed Mom"! Got the Sanford-ortho "Preparing for surgery" packet today....Uffda! Surgeon's scheduling-secretary & myself will hammer out a date in April. It really was gracious of him to open-up his Tues & Thur's, to get me fixed-up in April!!! Thank you all for your help & encouragement! Faron