Shoulder pain

[Djohnston1971]

I have rheumatoid arthritis and take tocilizumab. I have suddenly got pain in both of my shoulders and unable to lift my arms. Is this a flare ?

[Vixen2]

Hi. I’m not a rheumatologist. But i’m the same age as you & have had RA for 30yrs. Sounds like it could be. I know how awful flare ups can be. I’m having a flare of Iritis in my left eye. On steroid eye drops & Naproxen, as it’s very painful. I spent all day in bed yesterday with sunglasses on. The light’s awful for an attack. I’m gateful i’ve already got an appointment for Glaucoma next Fri at Moorfields. (I’ve been going there 25 yrs).

Sounds like you should try & contact your rheumatologist or gp. They could give you a blood test. See if your ESA has risen. Or an xray. I know how awful & exhausting pain can be. I always like to treat myself if i’m feeling crap. I had a lovely cornetto in bed yesterday. Refreshing & it cheered me up!! Good luck x

[Mall]

Severe Shoulder pain can be very debilitating and excruciating. It could be a temporary flare or sign that your disease is not under control. Before my RA was under control I suffered frequently with this, even dressing became difficult. You need to discuss with your rheumy team, perhaps your drugs need tweaking. If there is a delay in seeing your rheumatologist maybe your GP could provide some temporary pain relief or steroid shot. Meantime I found resting my arms, even using a sling at times, helped; my shoulders improved after around 3 days of rest. The pain returned if I over did it until my drug regime changed.

All the best, be gentle with yourself for a few days.

[Djohnston1971 in reply to Mall]

Thank you

[lily2003 in reply to Mall]

I logged in to write just this. Very well put by Mall. Extreme, symmetrical shoulder pain was my lead in to RA. I’ve been lucky that it hasn’t reappeared since starting MTX. Occasionally, one of them will hint that it’s coming back and I get sad and fearful. But, again, lucky that these little flares subside quickly. Not being able to raise my arms or elbows above more than a couple of inches was my way of life for two years before diagnosis. Bad memories. Best of, Djohnston1971!

[stbernhard]

I've had shoulder pain after a big flare. Doing the NHS exercises for painful shoulders every day helped, but sometimes they were too painful. A steroid injection helped greatly and after abou a month, still doing exercises, it's back to an ache rather than pain and I can use my shoulders as normal. I hope you find a way that helps you.

[stbernhard]

Exercise link nhsaaa.net/musculoskeletal-...

[Djohnston1971 in reply to stbernhard]

This is really useful, thank you

[oldtimer2 in reply to stbernhard]

What a wonderful resource, clear and sensible. Thanks for the link.

[StormySeas in reply to stbernhard]

Such a useful link! Thanks

[MichMx]

I’m the same age with RA and before starting Methotrexate I had terrible shoulder pain and unable to lift my arms during the night or in the mornings. I had a prescription of Prednisone and increased Celecoxib to help and also used Lidnocaine patches on my shoulders at night. Now that methotrexate has been introduced I have not had this again. I would contact your Rheumatologist for advice. Hope things settle for you as I remember how painful this can be. Take care.

[Jackie1947]

I have RA and OA both shoulders hurt. X-ray indicates it's the OA not RA causing this.Wear and tear situation. I will be having both fixed with key hole surgery but not at the same time. Steroid injections over time helped in the short term

[wishbone]

I've had shoulder pain and not being able to raise my arms on and off for years. It can be very debilitating and create problems trying to sleep. I find that overuse can cause them to flare along with my RA not under control as is the case now!!... so you are not on your own if that's any consolation, which I doubt. I find pain killers, ibuprofen gel and rest does help a bit, but the only real relief is for my RA to be properly controlled hence it might be best to contact your rheumy if the problem persists. I've heard that some people have steroid jabs though I'm not able to, unfortunately. If like me, it is painful for you to lie down or even lean back in a chair, then I find folding up a cushion or pillow and placing it at the base of my back along with wearing one of those horseshoe shaped cushion things around my neck helps keep at least some pressure off my shoulders.....make sure it's well padded for ample support.

Over the 20 years I 've had RA I've had bouts of serious pain in feet, knees, hands and wrists, but by far my shoulders, which I believe also causes the pain in my arms, has been the most debilitating.

Hope this helps and you get some relief soon.

[gardens4]

Hi, I was looking for neck/back of head and shoulder pain on here because after an operation I had to come off my Tofacitinab drug. I am back on but for over a week I can't sleep for pain waking me two or three times. I also wonder if it is a flare up or this cold weather under 8 degrees, or it could even be we have a trapped nerve. I hope it goes off soon for us.

[helenlw7]

It could be a temporary flare and you maybe need to talk to your gp, or a rheumatology nurse if your hospital has one. I’ve had RA for nearly 20 years and often have very painful shoulders, in addition to pain in other joints. If it lasts more than a few weeks my gp or rheumatologist gives me steroid shots.

[Happy5]

It's what I get when I'm in a flare, usually end up, after calling & arranging with an intramuscular steroid injection. So get in touch with RA team.

As well as others' suggestions I have regular body massage which brings me relief as well as loosen the joints for me.

🤗

[tangolil]

I can only sympathise with you and say that I, too, have this dreadful pain in both shoulders, wrists, hands, finger joints and knees - I am on Sulfasalazine with steroid oral backup (reducing to 7.5mg today) but cannot estimate the efficacy of this medication since the pain is constant and debilitating. I will see my Rheumatologist in 10 days but we've been trying to sort this out now for TWO years. Yes, that's the length of my unremitting flare... My heartfelt good wishes to you for any improvement and if you are helped please let us all know there is hope somewhere for the rest of us.

[Mall in reply to tangolil]

sounds more like your disease is not under control and the drugs you are on are not doing the job. Be firm with your rheumatologist, insist that you need more help.

[tangolil in reply to Mall]

Thank you so much for this advice - we have (sort of) discussed meds not doing the job but Rheumatologist prescribed Prednisolone to try ... I've also had an iron infusion in the last few days (don't know if iron deficiency anaemia contributes to flare) so waiting to feel less tired.... I will take your advice and ask if I can have a review of the efficacy of my present drug ingestion and insist that I need more help. How kind everybody is on this Forum . 🤗

[Hollyhock123]

I used to suffer from this a lot before biologics was added to the mix. Mtx unfortunately didn’t keep it under control for me. I had steroid injections to ease pain after the X-rays. Stress, working 50+ combo didn’t help! Occasionally get a little twinge but not the ‘frozen’ and excruciating pain. Hope you get it sorted soon.

[tangolil in reply to Hollyhock123]

I am so pleased to hear that you are not suffering so much now. I hope to have the same outcome after my Rheumatologist appointment when I will present my case for more help. Steroid injections don't seem to help me and I'm not sure oral Prednisolone is effective... I feel improvement after 3 hours of taking the dose and things get less stiff but I am constantly in pain... Fingers crossed, eh?

[Carolsos]

I also have this in both my shoulders. I recently had steroids shots in both my shoulders. I am also going to be having physio to help my shoulders. The steroid shots were great. I have been in pain with my shoulders for a few years now. Take care