Help anyone?

[Domhem]

I am 40 and was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago, I was at my RA appt this morning and they've said one of my symptoms is unusual so I wondered if anyone could kindly shed any light on the matter. My right shoulder is extremely swollen, to the front, it causes a lot of pain at night. It's only in my right (I'm right handed) and has been like this for a few months. They are sending me for an ultra sound to investigate further. I have a little baby so maybe it could be linked to me always picking her up?! Just wondered if anyone else had this? Thanks in advance, it's never ending!

[Hobbits]

I had a problem with one shoulder. I just woke up one day and it was sore. I just thought I slept on it wrong so went to work as usual. Over the week it got continuously worse. I went to my family doctor. He examined me for about 5 seconds and told me I had a rotator cuff injury. I knew I did not. He did not believe me when I told him I just woke up with it sore. He insinuated I hurt it at work and was trying to hide it.

I told him I did not hurt myself at work, I don't do anything at work that could cause a rotator cuff injury, I just woke up and it was stiff and sore.

After much grumbling I got to go to a Physiotherapist. He examined me for about 10 mins and said " I don't think you have a rotator cuff injury, I have seen thousands and you don't present at all like a rotator injury" I asked what he thought it was. He said that he suspected inflamed bursa as he could feel how hot my shoulder was from touching and by the range of movement. When I told my family doctor the physiotherapist didn't agree with his diagnosis my doc threw a tantrum.

Long story short I had undiagnosed RA - it can go to any joint. I have required steroid injection into the shoulder but been ok for about two years now. I do yoga and always stretch out that shoulder to keep it flexible and healthy.

[Domhem in reply to Hobbits]

Thank you! I didn't think it was anything but my RA until my rheumatologist said the presentation is unusual, so it's a bit confusing. Oh Well! Thank you for replying, much appreciated and good to hear it's ok now!

[Sophie_dog_lover]

Hi, I'm guessing he thought it was unusual because it was only in one shoulder. Even though RA is supposedly always both sides of the body at the same time - so both shoulders, or knees, etc, everyone is different and I know some days one knee hurts and the other doesn't then other days both are swollen or sore. I think it's pretty typical for it to be unpredictable. In my opinion, the people who don't really seem to understand this is sometimes a doc who read about the disease and never experienced it. Those of us with RA can have very different experiences. So, hopefully there's some comfort in knowing you're not alone or weird!

[Fra22-57]

My problem is right shoulder only too. My GP said it was nerve damage before RA was diagnosed so have only thought it that.Doctors don't explain things or speak to you informing things so you just don't know.Hope yours can be fixed

[wowzerbowzer]

I had terrible shoulder pain that ended up being my neck!