Hi just wanted to ask if anyone has problems in the morning with their arms ? when i go to make the coffee first thing my arms dont want to do what i want them to ? just checking that this is a normal side of ra as my 16 year old daughter was with me this morning and i dont want her to worry so made a joke of it but its an odd feeling, my ra is in my shoulders hips and knees.
many thanks 
Hello Snoopy.
Oh yes RA can affect all your joints and it was my arms and shoulders that caused me the most problems from the start of my RA journey. I couldn't raise them sufficiently to brush or wash my hair, and other toilet matters were a problem too!
From what you have written it would seem that your RA is not under control and that's why you are hurting and not able to use your limbs properly. Morning stiffness. sometimes lasting more than an hour, is a very common feature of RA.
You don't say what treatment you have been given for your RA but, whatever it is, it does not seem to be working effectively for you. So get straight on to your Rheumatology Consultant and ask for a treatment review very soon.
Good luck.
Thanks I have just started methotrexate last week so still in the early days , it's odd watching your arms not going where you want them to , thanks for putting my mind at rest 🙂
Good that you're on MTX now but it can take up to three months to be fully effective. Are you taking Prednisolone as well or have you been given a steroid injection? If not I would ask for one or the other to tide you over until the MTX is working well for you.
Hi just phoned the rhumatology dep as I am only on nurofen so fingers crossed thank you
I would mention it to your rheumy nurse snoopy...your meds may just need
adjusting ....no point sticking with a drug that might be having funny Effects.
I actually had the problem before I started on the methotrexate but will certainly mention it when I see her thank you 🙂
I've had problems with my shoulders, arms and hands for years. Absolute murder first thing in the morning! They were really bad when my RA was poorly controlled but have improved since I have it better controlled. Still giving me trouble though.
Sorry to hear that and thank you for replying, just waiting to see if i can get some pain relief until the methotrexate kicks in
I hope you get some relief soon. I was just trying to point out that controlling your RA is the only real answer. I used to take the max dose of tramadol and paracetamol but it didn't help very much. Not being able to raise your arms can be a big problem as Lolabridge indicated.
Good luck
I have to do gentle stretches/exercises before I can do anything in the mornings as I get very stiff overnight. Hopefully yours will improve once mtx starts to work, if not I’d speak to your rheumy team as they might refer you for physio to help.
I do find that it helps to have a hot shower in the mornings to loosen up my shoulders, but I still look like a little hunched old lady as I creep around the kitchen in the mornings. And I've taken down anything I need from the cupboards above chest level the night before.
Yes, my arms tremble and lack power in the morning, they often improve as the day goes on. My RA is not well controlled.
shoulder and arm pain
Odd symptom of RA
shoulder and arm pain
Shoulders to arms to wrists
