Anyone have experience with this ailment?
I was given 3 treatment options:
P.T.
Oral meds (prednisone and something else)
Needle

I chose PT, but after 5 weeks, not much improvement. Oh, I also have arthritis (knees/feet), but I exercise 5 days a week and am managing that well (currently).
Just curious to know if the other treatment options might yield more effective results.

Needle of you truly have it. I find shoulder bursitis not very common. Usually a tendonitis. But it does happen.

If by needle you're referring to an injection, just remember that the injection (if steroids), typically doesn't cure anything. It simply makes the pain and inflammation go away. The ultimate cure is still going to be fixing your mechanics and movement patterns in order to keep it from coming back.

Oral meds work, but typically you need to take it for too long of a period of time and at a higher concentration for it to have a similar effect as an injection. And in that process you increase the risk of various side effects.

Keep doing the PT, as most people (even if they don't have pain), can probably improve their mechanics and resting posture. Would go for the needle over oral meds (especially if ultrasound guided).

Thank you.
Going back to my Dr. Thursday. Haven't seen him since initial diagnosis, which was BEFORE shoulder x-ray.
Aching/pain is RELENTLESS.
Appreciate the info. and advice.

X-ray can't pick up on bursitis. But bursal pain is often reported very high. Like 8/10 pain.

I would argue that if the bursa is really inflamed it calms things down enough to address other issues. There has been a movement away from injections but I think if it is truly bursitis then an injection is worth exploring.

Just my experience as a PT of 10+ years.

Thank you, aggie-d. Much appreciated.
Really leaning toward the injection along with continuance of home exercises.
It's affecting my ability to focus on my work, and I am becoming short tempered with my family.
And THAT can't continue.
Again, really appreciate the info. and advice.