Question
Hi Margot,

My girlfriend has been suffering with a severely painful shoulder for the past 4 weeks.  She has extreme pain on waking and the pain is just getting worse.

The doctor has prescribed Diclofenac but this is not helping her much.  She has terrible pain on waking some morning reducing her to tears.  The doctor did not advise whether she would be able to take any other painkillers with this or reccomend any other treatment.  He point blank refused to refer her for an x-ray as he said she did not need one?  Is there anything else we could try?  I would be very grateful for your suggestions.

Many thanks
Beth

Answer
Hi Bathan and thanks for writing,

If the pain is intolerbale why don't you just go to a clinic or even ER for an assessment if her doctor is being so inflexible. Otherwise she could go back and request a referral to a pain specialist or pain clinic.

Obviously I do not know all the facts, but there is no excuse for uncontroled pain today.

I hope this helps, wishing you both good health,
Margot