Collarbone pain

Can RA effect your collarbone? I have had niggly pain in the night and morning for months but it’s been there all day today and the pain is more intense. The pain is on the collarbone near the shoulder

[allanah]

I get that , I think its referred pain from my shoulder , hot packs help me with it xx

[Hidden in reply to allanah]

Thanks it’s something new. I know things haven’t been great for me lately and I don’t get much pain just niggles but I think my disease must be very active my hands are suddenly much more deformed and my right ankle is swollen and red hot to touch .... oh the joys🙄

[allanah in reply to Hidden]

Yes annoying . I also get costochondritis which is mainly central bone down the chest ,the sternum, but it spreads to the collarbone and that isnt nice x

[Kags1068 in reply to allanah]

Yep, me too. Had it on and off for years. Also, painful ribs at the back and in shoulder blades so it's difficult to lie and sleep on your back. Oh the joys, eh?🙄😉

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

same as Allanah think it is from shoulder too

[helixhelix]

As I have just discovered, the sternoclavicular joint is a synovial joint, so can be affected by RA. That’s the one in the centre, but pain can be referred to other end of collarbone....

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

That makes sense then 🙄it’s on the move . Thank you

[Lina282]

I had that too when I had a bad flare in my right shoulder. I was advised to use cold on it a few times a day and I used algasel gel. If you are not on methotrexate you can use it to make it a bit easier. x x

[TPaine]

Hi I get this too and the osteopaths that I have seen think it could be referred from neck too as I have issues with my cervical spine discs... when RA and neck flares then chest, shoulders and upper back get it... I use a fascia ball to massage the areas when they get tight and use heat, was recommended by osteopath. Have you looked at getting a consult with an osteopath or similar maybe?

[Hidden in reply to TPaine]

I will now this a new symptom for me . Usually feet and hands with the elbow now and then. Due to start new medication in the next few weeks 🤞

[Safado]

I get that too a lot..it seems to go away after a couple of days...I feel your pain !. I find cold compresses help a bit

[AgedCrone]

Stop thinking that RA is the cause of every ache & pain.

If I were you I’d think,outside the box & buy a new pillow 🤩

You can worry yourself to death with this disease...but what aches one day...often disappears the next!

[Hidden in reply to AgedCrone]

Bought 3 new pillows changed the chairs I sit have done exercises and stretches but it’s getting worse in the morning and after inactivity i thought of all these before RA but medication has stopped working confirmed by nurse flaring to the point I can’t walk . Didn’t know RA could effect this area so thought I’d ask.

[AgedCrone in reply to Hidden]

Believe me RA Pain can hit anywhere.....referred pain from one area to another is the cause of many misdiagnoses....your Collar bone pain could come from many locations ....but the good news is once you find “your” drug....it will hopefully disappear with the rest of your symptoms.

Let’s hope your doctor can give you some effective pain relief in the meantime.

[allanah in reply to Hidden]

RA can affect the area , and mine seems to come from my shoulder joint and yes getting sleeping positions correct can help, as can hot pads and pain relief. But I suspect the RA treatment meds will be very helpful.

[allanah in reply to Hidden]

You were right to ask , that's why we are here!! I think AC meant it could be positional but in my experience it's been RA too x

[AgedCrone in reply to allanah]

Yep....pain in my elbow was caused by disc damage in my neck!

[allanah in reply to AgedCrone]

Yeah I had a disc operation but that pain with me went down my arms , not do much collarbone. Woke up after the op the pain in my arm was gone!

[AgedCrone in reply to allanah]

I woke without pain in my elbow....but in agony from the bone graft the surgeon took from my hip to repair my neck.

Don’t believe anyone who tells you bone graft collection sites don’t hurt....I hobbled for months.

[allanah in reply to AgedCrone]

Ouch!

[AgedCrone in reply to allanah]

Actually it turned out to be quite amusing. I lived next door to 3 young chaps ...and we shared a balcony and one of them was telling me another of my neighbours had asked him if I drank a lot.

She had apparently seen me staggering back from the corner shop without my walking stick ...and I must admit I must’ve looked as if I’d had a few because I was holding on to the fence trying to keep the weight off my hip!

She was mortified when I told her why...& offered to shop for me!

[Green230461 in reply to Hidden]

I went to doctor with this and he laughed. He said it was caused by an ill fitting bra! Not RA at all. He was right. Aged crone is correct not all our aches are rheummy. 😂

[Pippy25]

I have a little wheat bag which I heat up and sort of mould it into the shoulder or collar bone area which helps me. xx

[LinaM]

Yes I’ve had this a few times agony on inhalation☹️ The first time it happened I thought I was having a heart attack. Fortunately I’ve not had it for a while even in a flare so hopefully it’ll go away for you too !

[Brychni]

Ah! An old favourite. Used to get this all the time in the early days before I was diagnosed. Woul often preced the dreaded neck pain and fluey. It used to feel like dragging and I wouldn't know where to put myself. Haven't had it for ages. Not sure if it is RD related - not sure of anything any more.

[beeckey]

I was told you can get RA anywhere there is a joint

[Pinkplum]

Yes it can unfortunately. It’s not pleasant.

I have it also comes from my shoulder.

Mention it to your rheumy x

[Angels-delight]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year and when the Rheumy examined me in that area he said it was fibromyalgia. I have RA which I have infusions and I have Lidocaine infusion every 2 months for fibromyalja. It is worth checking it out.

[Hidden in reply to Angels-delight]

Thankyou x

[Angels-delight in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply, as of yesterday I have a new Rheumy. I haven't met due to the virus 19. I checked his credentials which is excellent. He did attend uu in the UK and then returned to live here in Canada. He was absolutely thorough, professional, caring and friendly. I have been let down by my previous rheumy which is why I decided to request a referral to see another Rheumy. I hope you have luck finding out what is causing the pain in your collarbone.

Take care, xx

[Hidden in reply to Angels-delight]

Good luck he sounds like a good one. Hope he can help.

Do let us know x

[Angels-delight in reply to Hidden]

Hello again, I have spoken with several doctors regarding other health issues and they all know him and have a high regard for him. I had blood tests last week the results weren't good, esr 44 and crp 68 plus some of the others on the list were high. I am hoping that the new Rheumy will call me before the scheduled appt date of Nov 30th. He was waiting 2 months to give my last infusions time to work and give me some relief. The previous set of infusions didn't work. I was given a choice of staying on the infusion I had or CBD oil. Which is why I wanted a 2nd opinion amongst other reasons. I hope you are feeling well, taking care and staying safe. I have family in the UK, I don't remember if I mentioned that I am living in Canada, things are a little different over here but I love the UK, I love living here more close to my son and his wife and twin grandchildren.

Take care hope you sort out the pain in your collarbone. xx

[Hidden in reply to Angels-delight]

Lovely to hear from you and I’m glad things are progressing for you albeit at RA pace which as we know is very slow. I hope you can get some constructive help.

I’m starting Baricitinib any day now so 🤞🏻 things can start to improve.

I have 2 sons living in Banff both trying to Residency. They love it !!! Best decision they ever made .

Get myself on an even keel and Covid is under control I’ll be over for a visit.

Keep me informed.

Stay safe and positive xx

[Angels-delight in reply to Hidden]

Will do, hopefully we can get over the covid and you can get to Banff. I am feeling the cold damp weather, winter is here although we escaped the snow this week. I love to look outside at the snow it looks beautiful but not when I have so many appts.

Take care, stay safe keep in touch let me know how you get on with your new medication. I am going to call my new Rheumy this week as I really don't think that my last infusions of Rituximab has worked again. He said that he has other meds that I can try, I'm not sure how soon I would be able to start them.

Good luck with your new medication please let me know

[Hidden in reply to Angels-delight]

Lovely to here from you. Still waiting for meds I’m not priority at the hospital pharmacy 🙄. Half term here do I have a week off work. I love the snow but it’s been years since we had any.

Shame about Rituximab I have heard good things. Hope your Rheumy can start you on something quickly.

Take care keep warm x

[Angels-delight in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for such a quick reply. I loved the snow and went cross country skying years ago when the cold didn't use to bother me. That included water skying too. I was thinking how fit I was and all the different kinds of sports I did 30 years ago. I'm afraid it takes me all my time to stay on my feet these days but I don't complain, a lot of people are worse off than I am.

It was good to hear from you again, take care.

[Angels-delight]

I have received another tell appt from a Rheumy who gave me advice on CBD oil requested by my family doctor. I have decided to try it after his advice and speaking with several people who have either tried it or know of others who have and the feed back was it worked for them. I thought I would give it a try before I get my second tell call from my new Rheumy in 2 mths. I was told that it will be on a low dose and it can take awhile to work.

All the best to everyone, hope you are feeling well and staying safe.

Sue xx