My mom told me a couple of weeks back to "get off my duff and update my blog". I guess I will.

I think it's the Ultram. I can read stuff and comment on it but it's hard to initiate writing, for some reason.

First a quick synopsis of my physical difficulty. I have adhesive capsulitis in my left shoulder. This is growth of scar tissue inside the joint capsule. Wikipedia has an excellent article about it. I have had a cortisone injection into what there was of the joint space, physical therapy, and oral steroids, with little or no effect. In addition, I am taking Celebrex for inflammation and pain, and Ultram to help with the pain. The orthopedist told me at the beginning of July that we had tried just about everything (as I cried in his office) and that the next step is surgery. I couldn't schedule surgery right then so I said I'd call his office when I could. When I did call, I had to leave a message which was never returned. This had happened before. So I was given pause as to whether I should let this man perform surgery - if I had post-op problems, would I be able to get in touch with him?

I had decided to try some "snake oil" while I was waiting to be able to schedule surgery - things I couldn't miss at work were going on and then I needed to go back to Mississippi last week, which I did. So I ordered this device and began using it 2 or 3 times a day, doing stretching and strengthening exercises at home, and taking yucca and turmeric 3 times a day in addition to the other meds. I actually think all this is going to do the trick and I'll be able to avoid surgery. I feel a little less desperate and depressed now, so that's a plus. And I only have a few days left on my Ultram prescription. If the pain isn't so bad that I have to ask for more - and it is greatly diminished from what it was - maybe I'll be able to keep this thing updated again.

So that's that. I'll write more later.