Upper arm

[Elswick]

On my upper arms where muscle is I have terrible pain can’t raise them is this RA as their is no joint their just muscle any one else had this problem ???

[Deniseelk]

Is it both arms? Obviously if it’s your left arm I would call 111 for advice. If it’s both, as you say , could it be something muscular, did you do a task or exercise that may have overtaxed the muscle? Only time I had that feeling, in one arm was from my flu jab ( was rather bruised after it) and couldn’t lie on that side for few nights. If unsure speak to pharmacist or call 111 but I haven’t felt pains only in that area from RA. Sending gentle hugs.

[Elswick in reply to Deniseelk]

Yes it’s both arms like I have been punched in them had it 2 days now no pain in chest just hurts when I raise them thanks for advice x never did any exercise or hard tasks just had hysterectomy so done nothing for 2 weeks

[AgedCrone in reply to Elswick]

That was one of my first symptoms...I could move my arms backwards & forwards, but couldn't move them away from my body. It would last a week or two.....then go away for a while.

Get it checked....you say you have just had a hysterectomy....it could just be that you have been holding yourself in one position as you have been a bit immobile!

Hope that's it,

[Elswick in reply to AgedCrone]

Was yours related to ra then thanks for your comments I don’t think I can take much more at the moment ☹️

[AgedCrone in reply to Elswick]

Yes...when I eventually went to see a rheumatologist I was diagnosed with Palindromic Arthritis, which eventually progressed to Sero+ RA.

But that is me.

Your arm could well me as simple as the way you are pushing yourself up from your chair after your surgery. I know when I had a bone graft from my hip I had all sorts of muscle aches that were nothing to do with RA.

Speak to your GP to put your mind at rest.

Wish you better soon.

[Beviej in reply to AgedCrone]

I also have PAL.I had an episode like that with my left ATM in Aug.About 6 years ago had episode in both arms that lasted for some time.Had to finally have cortisone shots that time.

[AgedCrone in reply to Beviej]

Unfortunately my PAL progressed to Sero+ RA after a couple of years & the achey arms spread to practically every joint.

But 20 years on, I'm on RTX & very thankfully have very little discomfort.

But I think it will always be like waiting for the second shoe to drop!

[Shreeve1979 in reply to Elswick]

I had this with both arms I couldn’t raise my arms up but had pain in feet and hands also mine was RA linked it also confused me really as as you say it is muscle !??

Go and get checked out

[helixhelix]

BIcep tendonitis perhaps, coming from a pinching in your neck maybe because of having your neck moved around during anaesthesia?

I had this due to herniated disc in my neck, but physio and stretching has made in manageable.

[Nsmith13 in reply to helixhelix]

Yes I've had really bad upper arm pain in past I've put it down to iflamation sometimes before a flair and then it decides if it's goin up to my shoulders or down to my elbows an wrists but l could be wrong

[Hidden]

Hi Elswick, I had this problem too! Couldn’t lift my arms to wash my face or brush my hair some days, my doc said it was all musculoskeletal problems associated with RA, I was put on short term steroids at the time which helped. 🤗🤗

[Elswick in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for advice I am ringing nurse today see if I can get some steroids they don’t like to give them me for some reason but it’s worth a try tc x

[Nsmith13 in reply to Elswick]

They help but I've put so much weight on with steroids you just can't win but if it help pain and fatigue it's a small price to pay hope you get relief

[KatHen]

It could also be “referred pain”, whereby it’s actually your shoulders where the flare is originating but you actually feel it in your upper arms!

It can really hurt when trying to get to sleep - I usually would dose up on paracetamol, apply cream and try to sleep on my back hugging a pillow to ease the weight of my own arms hurting my shoulders.

Also a tempur mattress topper helped. As I sit at a desk all day at work I have paid really close attention to making sure I have good posture to minimise the impact. Hope that’s of some help and that you overcome the pain soon.

[GranAmie]

I have this too in triceps -not biceps - but it comes and goes, usually when I've been protecting spine from stress. hot showers on upper arms then 10min cold pack 1 arm at a time can help. i stopped painkillers , used feldene cold gel 4 a bit and now try to just go with the flow as far as poss ie relax/meditate when i can. cd anyone give you a v v gentle arm massage. gentle squeezes xx

[Katiewy]

Physio and acupuncture helped me with this problem. Good luck!

[Jaguar50]

I had very similar pains in both shoulders two months ago. In fact the pain was quite acute and unbearable, couldn’t raise my arms. Movement was very much restricted

My rheumatologist suggested shoulder injections to be administered by my GP.

( bilateral subacromial bursa )

The morning after these injections, one in each shoulder, I was amazed to find that I was totally pain free!! Wish I would have had them earlier!! 2 months on now and I’m still fine with full painless movement in both arms. 👌🏽

[Mandalou]

Hi Elswick

So sorry to hear you are going through the wars!

I completely understand because I get this too.

Currently have it in my right upper bicep.

I know its something to do with RA as my left foot is doing that no swelling but pulsating aching thing.

I think its my version of a flare.

Being on Benepali keeps my inflammation negligable but doesn’t stop the underlying pain of RA.

Ive also developed Dupytrens Contracture in my right palm which is effecting all the structures of my right arm, am currently awaiting physio for this.

I would contact your Rheumy nurse and ask for an emergency appointment as your GP might not understand . Could it be that the stress of Hysterectomy has pushed you into a flare?

Best wishes.

Mx

[Hobbits]

Hello, I have had similar issues due to RA. When the RA is flaring in my shoulders, it hurts right into my collar bone, and it hurts at the bicep part of my arm.

In part ( other than a bad doctor) I was misdiagnosed with a rotator cuff injury as that will present with a pain in your bicep. However it’s not the only reason for pain there, so it should be thoroughly investigated. This exact pain was what led to my eventual RA diagnosis. I have several steroid injections, only one of the injections actually worked. I ended up with frozen shoulder as well.

[Uga35570]

So sorry for I went through a full hysterectomy some years ago,and not keyhole in those days but didn't have r a at that stage. So it must be a lot to cope with. I have this same pain in the biceps at the moment have had a flare for the last couple of weeks so part of it I suppose! See rheumy in couple of weeks so maybe find out if it is r a related. All the best hope you will soon be on the mend.

[Thingybob]

I had pain in my left arm at the bit between joints and the occupational therapist told me it was pain in the tendons and muscles caused by joint inflamation. A bit like carpel tunnel but higher up ? He gave me some hood exercises to help. Maybe go to see your OT

[MissMinto]

Could it be Polymyalgia?

[nomoreheels]

Yes, particularly in my left arm/shoulder. I've had two steroid injections into the joint but the muscle pain remains. Some cholesterol meds can also give muscle pain, I've experienced it on simvastatin, it's different though. I've been told it's all RD. Sorry I can't help more but you have my empathy.