No, this isn’t a reference to a gunshot wound. First used in 1916, it’s a metaphor that refers to something that gives us renewed energy or enthusiasm, generally from the effects of vitamins, narcotics, or drugs.

Jump to 2019, and in my case it means steroids.

As I’m sure I told you we bought a little house and moved into it on the 4th. Of course I “helped the movers.” On the 5th, we pulled our behemoth up in front of  the house and unloaded everything from within the coach up the sidewalk and into the house. That evening my shoulder, neck, elbow and wrist began to ache. I soldiered on. I had things to get done.

I took ibuprofen and a muscle-relaxer at bedtime, and it felt better in the morning. By the afternoon it was on fire again. After a week of this I finally called an orthopedic doctor.

I may still think I’m Wonder Woman, but I know when to call in another Superhero for reinforcements!

Enter Dr. Barbara Bergin. If her name sounds familiar to you it’s because she has written advice on bone health right here for 1010 Park Place, been on Good Morning America, ABC News, and writes regularly in her own blog, Dr. Barbara Bergin.

I love her advice about shoulder pain (which she suggested I read), and the photo that accompanies her Nov. 1, 2011 column on “Shoulder Bursitis & Impingement Syndrome” will grab your attention!

I was relieved to learn that an inflamed bursa was causing my pain, rather than a torn rotator cuff.  This is a very common injury for women as we often do daily repetitive lifting: kids, grandkids, heavy grocery sacks, reaching for our (too heavy) purses from behind our car seat, then carrying it on our same shoulder every day.

Add to that women’s attitude about pain: “I’ll wait and see if it improves,” or worse, “It hurts when I move it, so I won’t move it.”

“But it’s important to keep moving it,” Dr. Bergin said. “Unless a bone is broken and sticking out of the skin, MOVE IT.”  Gently, but move it. Most importantly don’t wait six weeks before seeking help as the chances of developing a constricture increase… meaning a decrease in your chances of rehabilitation.

Two days later, and I only have a little ache when I raise my shoulder, but with movement, and the shot in the arm, it will improve. I slept all night last night for the first time in two weeks!

XO Donna