Pain in my right shoulder and down my arm.

[gailyb]

Hi anyone know how to manage this.? I've now started with the same on my left side. I can't lift my arms of find a comfortable way to slwep. My rheumy nurse said there no dwellings it must be a frozen shoulder. I feel sick with the pain.

[VeronicaF]

my heart goes out to you, I know how you feel

try to leave your bra off, if you have to wear one, get that wide strap bra I suggested

I get it in my ribs too so sometimes so don't wear one sometimes and it really helps, all lose clothes helps

put your arm in a arm support in bed on that arm, as that helps me with my elbow

sending you lots of love and have you tried CBD oil? that helps too a lot, more than a lot

hope some has helped? hope you get relief real soon

please excuse spelling

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear that, if it’s both shoulders, sounds like RD to me & i’ve had frozen shoulder before. I got loads of good advice with shoulder flare about a month ago; if you put ‘shoulder’ into search above it should come up & veronica’s right: I had mine in sling for a while as it hurt like hell to move it. Took about a week to calm down both, hope yours is quicker; can they give you steroid shot if it persists? I took tramadol to sleep, I don’t get obvious swelling either, really annoying when they use this alone as active disease indicator. Good luck x

[Stormpetrel]

Dear Gailyb

Shoulder pain and sleeping is impossible I know I have been there too. It used to get me in a state, it’s all presumably a result of RA. You should consider a steroid injection into the joint if you haven’t already tried. I use various gels and sprays which for me alter the pain so I often get a couple of hours at a time, Heat packs or pads. Ice might not be good for it though. Use loads of soft pillows to get you as comfortable as possible. I also know what you mean about being sick with pain. It’s so important to try and relax as much as possible which I know is easier said than done. Distraction is a good diversion from pain but of course that doesn’t always work at night. Really hope you can find some relief.

[hawker955]

Pain going down an arm. I ould suggest a trapped nerve in your neck . |Avoid manipulation etcas it can make ncks much worse! I not responding to pan-relief then a injection at the site might be best.HTH?

[nablur]

Sorry. That sux. I’ve had complicated neck and back surgery and am very familiar with that kind of pain. Heat alternating with ice works for me. As does no heavy lifting- not even a purse. Taking it easy-as if we don’t do enough of that, eh?

It’s hard to say if it’s a nerve or muscular. Sometimes a nice massage helps. So does tens unit. Usually this is coming from your neck. Did you recently lift something?

No bra too as someone else said. Try to keep neutral spine. Do you have the patches there that you buy over the counter? They have lidocaine in them and that takes the edge off.

Unfortunately you just have to wait it out. Keep your neck supported while laying down with a rolled up towel and rest elbows on pillows.

Careful how you watch tv to not strain your neck.

Hope this helps!

[gailyb in reply to nablur]

Thank you so much for your advice. It really helped me.x

[Shalf]

Hi, I sympathise, honestly. Had that for too many years! It was the first pain I got from RA was in the right shoulder but took a long time to get a diagnosis. I was told by a senior physio that I had a frozen shoulder. An orthopedic consultant injected steroids into my shoulder which resulted in my adrenal glands failing to produce cortisol. Got a diagnosis of torn rotator cuff, bursitis, enlarged lymph nodes - biopsies, erosion of discs in neck. My right shoulder and arm pain/stiffness was the RA. It took too long to diagnose. The problem with the inability to move it properly is muscle wastage. You don't want that. It's taken me ages to try and rebuild the muscles around my back/shoulder and arm. If you can go swimming then do! Even walking through the water using your arms will help movement. Also, highly recommend the steam room. Excellent for relieving stiffness. I tried every nerve painkiller under the sun! Only thing that calmed the pain was regular paracetamol before I got treatment for RA. - Suzie X

[wishbone]

You have my full sympathy, gailyb,

I had it in both shoulders for a couple of months when I come off meds and my RA went bananas - nightmare!! I couldn't put any pressure on my shoulders and tried sleeping by propping myself up in an armchair with cushions and padding, but that never worked out as you can imagine. So desperate was I that I had a slab of foam cut to the appropriate size so the top edge was just below my shoulder blades and the bottom edge resting on the chair bumpiece..for want of a better word. I then stuffed a cushion behind my head as a support, so there was a gap between my shoulders and the back of the chair thus relieving pressure on my shoulders. Bit of a faff around I know but desperate measures were required! It was never the answer, but it did help a bit and was better than nothing. Starting back on meds sorted both shoulders...what a relief that was!

I couldn't have an injection, but that's probably your best bet as others have said.

Best of luck

[gailyb in reply to wishbone]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm getting a lot of hassle at work at the minute for putting in a sick note. My rhumatology nurse called me this morning so hopefully I will have a cortisone injection.

[Hidden in reply to gailyb]

That’s not v fair of work: it’s a disability under equalities act & you’re entitled to reasonable adjustments. NRAS do 2 good booklets ‘I want to work’ and one for employers too which gives them idea of your rights. Good luck gailyb, hope it eases soon x

[Hidden]

I can really empathise with you Gailyb as the pain is so awful. I had two nasty falls back in February this year and ruptured two tendons in each of my shoulders and I am still in pain from them. To begin with, I couldn't lift my arms up at all, but physio has helped me a lot. However, I still need my husband to help me to get dressed and undressed and to lift up the kettle and do other things for me. I had a steroid injection into my shoulders which made no difference at all and I am now waiting to have some nerve block injections put in but it won't be until December at the earliest. Meanwhile I rub them with a cream the doctor gave me on prescription, lay on my back and night and try to do my arm exercises every day. I have gone from not being able to lift my arms at all to being able to get back to my crafting hobbies so I have to be thankful for that. I hope you soon get some relief.

[gailyb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying to me. My rheumatoid nurse called me this morning and hopefully I can have a cortisone injection in my shoulder.x

[Hidden]

That is good news for you and I hope it works well. xx

[VeronicaF]

That's great news gailyb!!!

[Juliachoo]

Hi Gailyb I too suffer the same, eventually the pain goes into my neck & my arms feel like dead weights..have been referred to therapy services for assessment... I find a hot rice bag or water bottle on my shoulders helps & spray deep heat as well...personally I think it’s probably earlier osteo made worse by developing RA in my own case..hugs it’s very debilitating & painful 😢😢

[gailyb in reply to Juliachoo]

Thank you for the advice.

[Vilanogirl]

I had the same and my Rheumy gave me a lidocaine shot in the joint. It helped enormously.

[MissMinto]

Hi gaily, have you considered Polymyalgia?

nhs.uk/conditions/polymyalg...

I have it and your symptoms sound very familiar, particularly the bit about not being able to lift your arms.

When it flares up I call the rheumy nurse and pop in for a steroid jab (in the bum, not the shoulder) which gets it under control very quickly. I can't tolerate oral steroids but the injections work well.

It doesn't always flare symmetrically, sometimes just one side.

Hope you get sorted and feel better soon. X

[gailyb in reply to MissMinto]

Thank you for your advice. I'm at the rhumatology this week for blood's and a check up so I will mention that.x

[IrishColleen61]

Hi gaily

I get exactly the same. I ride a bike for exercise on good days, and I thought it might be that, but know I find it just happens for no reason. It excruciatingly painful, and seems to hop from one shoulder to the other. Maybe the way we sleep?