Reduced ability of limbs due to Fibro

[C-Salt]

I've always thought of fibro as mainly a pain and fatigue problem. Yes I have stiffness in every morning, but recently I've encountered a lost of ability in my arm. I've had a general flare up for the last nine months with specific pain around my left shoulder and upper arm. Very painful shooting pains. Despite doing my Fibro exercises every day I have found my left arm reducing in flexibility, to the stage where I can no longer raise my arm above my shoulder or cross my arms, or put my hand on my hip. Is this reduced use part of the fibro flare up or is something else happening? Do other fibro sufferers encounter similar disability?

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, i would definitely let your doctor know. It sounds like more than fibro just my personal opinion xx

Momo

[jules6 in reply to Dizzytwo]

Hi yes I have the same thing in my right arm. It’s very painful and keeps me awake sometimes.

[Hidden]

Hi, as others have said, I’d see your GP. Possibly a frozen shoulder but whatever, I’d get it checked sooner rather than later x

[Dinkie]

We all tend to blame fibro for everything. Indeed I’m guilty - my shoulder pain turned out to be calcific tendinitis and my ankle pain was torn ligament and tendon. Please get it checked out as you could delay appropriate treatment .

[rosewine]

When my friend had the same symptoms it was found to be a frozen shoulder so I personally would have it checked out.x

[C-Salt]

Thank you everyone for your responses. Much appreciated. I will book an appointment with my doctor.

[sore_and_sad]

I have frozen shoulders and it reduces my movement a lot like you described, I get cortisone shot every 3 months and they really help.

[C-Salt in reply to sore_and_sad]

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated. I have a good idea what to do now. Thanks.

[Lupusrelative in reply to C-Salt]

I also have these symptoms. Had a cortisone shot about six weeks ago. Not entirely 100% but I can lift my arm again.

[Jacjai]

Same situation I was in last year, I was diagnosed with a frozen shoulder, had steroids injections in my shoulder but took 4 weeks later to feel the difference. One year later it's back to normal with the movement and back living with my usual pain which I know is fibromyalgia related.

Don't assume every pain and stiffness is fibro as I did, I left it's until few months before seeing the doctor which at the point it's left me without sleep, time off work and feeling really down, get it looked at ASAP..all the best x

[C-Salt]

Thank you for your reply Jacjai. I feel much more optimistic now. Much appreciated.

[Sugarhobbit]

Hi there

I had the same problem. I was referred to the msk team. Muscular skeletal physio. Then given some excercises to help with the pain. I then had an x-ray and referred for an ultra sound scan done and assessed by the Radiology consultant. He found out that I actually had bursitis this has been going on for nearly a year. I had a steroid injection last Wednesday after the scan. He said it could take up to 5 days for the injection to work. It has improved and I have a little bit more mobility in it now but about 65%.

It could possibly be related to weak ligaments or nerves.

Have you spoken to your GP about it?

Thanks

Sugarhobbit

[C-Salt in reply to Sugarhobbit]

Hi Sugarhobbit. All the responses seem to be very similar. I have managed to book an appointment next Tuesday. So fingers crossed. Thanks for your reply.

[FantasyWriter]

I have a lot of similar sounding pain in my right arm and shoulder. When it's at its worst I need help undressing as I get my arm across my body to take off tops or reach behind to undo my bra (husband happy to help with that!). I'm a side sleeper but lying on my right side hurts my shoulder and hip.

[C-Salt in reply to FantasyWriter]

That is exactly what happens to me. Can't sleep on that side and my wife has to help me get undressed (Obviously not with a bra!). Sounds like you could have this frozen shoulder thing and require a steroid injection. I will keep you posted on what treatment they give me and if it works. Thanks for your reply.

[FantasyWriter in reply to C-Salt]

Thanks

[Iamthemedicalmystery]

I just had an mri and it showed a tear in my shoulder that I've gotta have an operation for

[C-Salt]

Oh dear. No quick solution there then just months of pain while waiting for the op, and then recovery. My heart goes out to you.

[Suffering2021]

I have the same , I have pain in my left arm this morning across my chest but my breathing was ok . It’s so disabilitating & it’s a hidden chronic pain .

I had a shoulder mri and something about Rotater Cuff degeneration in my arm . I also have oesteoarthiritus in my neck but the arm down to my hand is extremely painful . I’ve just booked a GP appointment I would think that is the best thing to do now we can see them face to face albeit we wear a mask 😷 the painkillers do not kill the pain it is constant and we have to try to live with it unfortunately ad yet no cure I read there

Is hopefully a medication in five years so we have to look forward to that 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[C-Salt in reply to Suffering2021]

I'm ticking off the hours to my doctors appointment now. We have to think positive that there will be a cure some day. Five years gives us something to look forward too.