Pain in upper arm and shoulder.

[yarnwoman13]

Has anyone with PD experienced severe chronic pain in the upper arm and shoulder? I can barely move my arm at all. Going to see my doctor tomorrow. Hopefully I can get some relief from this.

[M_rosew]

It seems that many pwp have a 'frozen shoulder' episode, often before diagnosis. I had in both shoulders (not at the same time). FS is very painful and limiting, but usually resolves within about 12 months.

[Hidden]

I experience pain in my shoulders, upper left arm and across the upper part of my back. I have found in my case that Trihexyphenidyl does help with this. I am sure your specialist doctor will have some ideas to help with your pain. All the best.

[yarnwoman13 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lovepug, Did you have any side effects to the Trihexyphenidyl?

[Hidden in reply to yarnwoman13]

The only side effect I had was a dry mouth but that improved the longer I took it. Trihexyphenidyl was the only drug I took for the first 6 years since I was diagnosed.

[dentonpark]

Could be a frozen shoulder.

[Wendyhalpin in reply to dentonpark]

That's what I had very painful.

[Jeansm]

Hi Yarnwoman, before I was diagnosed with PD I was prepped for surgery for frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear surgery, but under anaesthetic there was full movement and I was found to have neither. I was given a steroid injection which was enough to give me back some limited movement and on the advice of a physiotherapist made sure I kept moving it. However, after starting on Sinemet the pain disappeared and with exercise I now have full movement again. If I stop exercising the pain and stiffness worsens. When meds wear off pain in the top of my arm returns. I do exercise for general health (Pilates, BoXercise, NIA, etc), but do rowing and specific shoulder strengthening work in the gym.

[Sugarbear67 in reply to Jeansm]

I had terrible shoulder pain and they said I had impingement syndrome and operated. My shoulder still hurt and 3 years later I was diagnosed with PD. I think it was the start of PD they operated for nothing.

[yarnwoman13]

Hi Jeansm, Thank you so much for your insight into this condition. It gives me hope because of my age and heart condition, I don't think I'm a candidate for surgery.

Thanks again.

[Beckey]

YES. God, it was ghastly. What helped was acupuncture, Cymbalta (an anti-depressant that also mitigates nerve pain), and Rock Steady Boxing.

[Hikoi]

Yarnwoman,

Shoulder pain is a classic pd symptom and so many people have undergone unnecessary and unsuccessful surgery because it wasnt recognized as connected with pd. like Jean, parkinson meds control my shoulder pain (its muscular). I first got it nearly 8 years before diagnosis .

GOod luck

[DEAT]

I also have problems with shoulder and upper arm pain. One episode of frozen shoulder.

I have worked out that if i dont do strengthening exercises i will have problems with pain and stiffness.

Exercise has been the answer for me.

Hikoi is correct.

[M-o-ggy]

I had this. Hot cupping (Chinese) was marvellous relief. Area where muscle attaches to bone still a fraction sore

[yarnwoman13 in reply to M-o-ggy]

I've never heard of Hot cupping. What exactly is it?

[M-o-ggy in reply to yarnwoman13]

glass shaped like an egg cups of different sizes. The practitioner heats the air inside the 'cup' and immediately puts it on the skin. As the air cools it forms a vacuum and does something. Don't know what it does but it worked for me

[Bridielena]

Severe pain. Just had second shot of Cortisone but this time not successful.

This pain is the result of Dyskinesia in my left shoulder. Very difficult sleeping as pain excruciating particularly when trying to get out of bed usually at some early hour. Sleep better in Tip Out chair but shoulder poses problem there too. Muscle rubs do help.

[Smokeypurple]

This pain was one of my first symptoms - I've had some specific physio exercises from the neurophysio at the hospital which are helping me reposition my shoulder - slight decreases in normal movement over time led to a shoulder which doesn't sit right and thence to a shooting pain in my upper arm where something is being 'pinched'.

I have also just started the PDWarrior programme. I practised the exercises for a couple of weeks and now I'm at the beginning of week 2 of the 10 week programme - and it really seems to be helping. I catch myself reaching for things pain free - only occasionally but that's an improvement on never... (doing that with Emma at Odstock Medical in Salisbury UK)