Pain in the shoulder: I care for my Mum... - Lung Conditions C...

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Pain in the shoulder

Phil40 profile image
27 Replies

I care for my Mum who is living with COPD.

She has recently started experiencing a nasty pain in her left shoulder sometimes. Her left hand has been trembling to varying degrees for a long time which seems to be a medication side effect, possibly the various steroids etc.

Has anyone else experienced this joint pain at all? It makes sense to me that if your arm is constantly shaking then there will be a knock on effect and the nurse is not overly worried as it comes and goes but wondered if anyone has experience of the same.

Many thanks to all and hoping that today is a good day.

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Phil40 profile image
Phil40
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27 Replies
Kristicats profile image
Kristicats

Statin cause these effects with me. My inhalers give me leg and feet cramps.

lawzn1 profile image
lawzn1 in reply toKristicats

Hi Chriskho l am on high dose of Statin 40 mg l wonder if that’s what’s causing my rib cramps .. Thanks for posting that ..

Kristicats profile image
Kristicats in reply tolawzn1

Worth reading up about and mentioning to your Gp.

corriena profile image
corriena in reply tolawzn1

Thear are differet kinds of statins some are worse than others at causing cramps (even if your gp says they dont). Go back to your gp and see about changing your statins to a different kind it may help.

lawzn1 profile image
lawzn1

Hi Phil Yes l get my hands trembling and sometimes trembling all over .. l get cramp pains in my ribs which are really painful makes me squeal .. l had this happen on 31 st of December last years during l could not move a inch without severe pain .. l was confined to my chair for 2 months not able to get to my bed.. or lie down it was a terrible time.. l still get the odd twinge as though it’s going to do it again ..

mskpjb profile image
mskpjb

Hi Phil haven't seen you on here for a bit. I do get very shaky hands a lot but I put it down to my inhalers. I don't think it's very helpful of the nurse to dismiss the pain your Mum gets in her shoulder Perhaps a trip to your GP or a home visit. Would they dismiss it if she was 21 ? I get a bit weary of having everything put down to my age. Sheila xx

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuff

I’m sorry to know your mum is having pains. It’s frustrating when it’s just dismissed as side effects. (I’m 42) I’ve been having shakey hands and arms, some days it’s so bad I drop everything, yesterday I kept dropping my cutlery and it takes a lot to come between me and my food! I hope your mum will be able to get some help and advice from someone.

Very interesting to read about the rib pain though, I thought it was just me, sometimes it’s been so bad I’ve had to crawl. Fortunately it doesn’t happen often, sometimes I’ll go a whole day without it.

kathbrad3 profile image
kathbrad3

I get terrible rib pain especially when stretching down to pick something up it takes my breath away and I can't move for a few minutes

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

Sorry to hear about your mum's shoulder pain and shaking. I recently tore the rotator cuff in my right shoulder and had weakness when moving my arm and hand in certain directions which showed as shaking. I went to my GP after 6 weeks of no improvement, who diagnosed it and said it would clear up in a few months, but I should stop doing the things that make it worse. As that is driving, playing keyboards and using computers I would have stopped earning and let a lot of people down. So I saw a physio privately and saw immediate improvement, though it has taken several sessions to get it back to something like how it used to be.

Lizzie34 profile image
Lizzie34 in reply toErgendl

HiErgendl. There may be a tear in a tendon or ligaments, could have an untrasound. Hope all resolves soon. Cheers Marie

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl in reply toLizzie34

That's why I went to my GP, hoping to get a scan. No chance with the state of our local NHS at the moment.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Hello, pain in the arm or shoulder can cause shaky hands , so can other things. I recently had physio for a similar thing and it did improve somewhat. If it is side effects of drugs not sure there is anything that can be done. I have non essential hand tremor which can't be cured either and is made worse by many things, so maybe the nurses approach might be best in your mums case or maybe a GP visit. Pain can be referred from the lungs too, pain releif should be looked at no matter what. Take care and best wishes in what ever you decide is best for your mum

Dig44 profile image
Dig44

Hi Phil, I had shoulder pain going down to my arm. After an X-ray, I was diagnosed with Spondylitis, which is wear & tear in the spine. I also have osteoarthritis. The pain was cleared in a very short time with Ametrypoline. I would insist on an X-ray. Hope it gets sorted soon.

LINDA70 profile image
LINDA70

PAIN IN THE SHOULDER CAN INDICATE A PROBLEM IN ANOTHER PART OF THE BODY (KNOWN AS REFERRED PAIN). NEEDS FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

zen800 profile image
zen800

I get pain in the right shoulder and my pulmonary doctor told me to rub on Ketoproven Fastum 25mg/g gel. Gives me relief.

Grammyluvs profile image
Grammyluvs

I am 75 and lately have a sharp pain that starts at the top of my breast goes under my arm and to my back. I have no idea what causes it but if I raise my arm a certain way it really hurts.

Hayley_ profile image
Hayley_ in reply toGrammyluvs

I think a lot of it is due to your muscles being squashed by your lungs being inflamed. I get a lot of back and neck pain. And sometimes you can pull a muscle through coughing and that really hurts. I feel like every time I breathe in I get a stabbing pain in my chest. But if yours is permanent then I would speak to your doc.

Grammyluvs profile image
Grammyluvs in reply toHayley_

I actually just noticed it in the last week or two

Hayley_ profile image
Hayley_ in reply toGrammyluvs

If it’s just an ache I wouldn’t be too concerned, but if it’s a sharp pain like you say I would definitely get that checked out. But it’s always best to find out what any pain is caused by. My back aches all the time and it’s not a bad pain but it is draining after a while. I was just told to take ibuprofen. Wishing you well Grammyluvs 🤗

Grammyluvs profile image
Grammyluvs in reply toHayley_

I feel like it is muscular. Responds well to Ibuprophen. Thanks for the reply

angie105 profile image
angie105 in reply toHayley_

I have the same thing happen to me constantly too,especially when I cough alot .Most of mine seems to be in my upper back and shoulders.It also makes my hands shake when it acts up.I am thinking it is side effects from the inhalers.

Hayley_ profile image
Hayley_ in reply toangie105

The steroid inhalers can make your hands shake, but that usually only happens to me if I take too much. It’s not a nice thing having lung problems, you just don’t realise how many issues come with it. Best wishes Angie, 🤗

angie105 profile image
angie105 in reply toHayley_

No it isn't easy.I have been dealing with it for 20 years now but I am trying to stay strong and positive,but very hard to do sometimes.Hope you are having a good day

lawzn1 profile image
lawzn1 in reply toGrammyluvs

Hi Grammyluvs l too get this pain just as you describe it .l also dont know what it is .

Grammyluvs profile image
Grammyluvs in reply tolawzn1

Hopefully we will find an answer soon.

Dedalus profile image
Dedalus

About 8 years ago I got incredible pain in my shoulder, for which there didn't seem to be any direct cause. They gave me X-ray and I eventually got a steroid injection. Haven't suffered any pain since (fingers crossed). Hope your mum gets help soon.

Phil40 profile image
Phil40

Thanks to everyone who have given me their experience and advice. I have not been on line for a while and forgot how great you all are. Really makes me feel that I am not alone with it all. Hoping that today is good to you all.

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