I have shoulder and neck pain driving me mad, I have headaches most days down one side of my head .

[jilly1]

I have had this for a few years but only just started on Meth as it has taken a few years to get diagnosed . My question is now i am on meds for the RA will my neck and shoulders sort out or will they stay the same . I really hope it helps i am so weary of pain and feeling ill all the time . I have had 2 knee replacements and 1 hip . most of my joints are painful and my other hip is bad now to. Thanks for reading and any help ......jilly

[sylvi]

Could it be fibromyalgia? It sounds like it to me as i have that condition,but you need to see your rheumy.xxx

[jilly1 in reply to sylvi]

thanks sylvi , i will look into it and see what the rheumy says xx

[Hidden]

Hi Jilly1

I have been on methotrexate for several years, initially on oral meds but have been injecting for about 3 years now. It did take a while before I noticed any change but slowly my pains eased. Having said that it is not a miracle drug and I have been having several problems over the last six months and there is discussion about trying a 3rd anti TNF.

I have been having headaches since August, GP thought it could be temperal artiritis - long story and lots of complications and finally saw a neurologist last week, also saw a maxilofacial consultant - the bottom line being I have a problem with my jaw and need a minor op to clear debris as the RA is affecting this joint, and the neurologist has diagnosed rheumatoid migraines - will be commencing medication to hopefully prevent the daily migraines.

Worth giving some thought...

Good luck, and do speak to your rheumy - do you have access to a nurse specialist who you can call and discuss??

Also certainly worth mentioning Sylvia's thoughts about fibro.

I am actually going to try to return to work tomorrow - been off since 3rd Oct!! scary....

Hazel x

[jilly1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hazel for the help , I hope your return to work goes well I know how hard it is working when RA is not sorted . I have now retired so work isnt a problem . again thanks for the advise much appreciated ....jilly x

[Hidden]

Hi Jilly, I have shoulder and neck pain that definetly reduced when i was on metx.

Hazel's reply regarding the headaches is very interesting, I had never heard of rheumatoid migraines, that is defintely something worth persuing.

[jilly1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi mads , I am hoping if a stick with it the Meth will improve and going to see the nurse next week so going to ask her to. thanks for your help ..jillyx

[Josie2]

Ive had very bad right shoulder pain lately but im between meds and even steroid injection isnt working.

Hope you get sorted out soon

Take care

Jo

Xxxxxx

[jilly1 in reply to Josie2]

Thanks for help Jo , Hope you get some help with you shoulder , it seems that a lot of RA suffers have problems with shoulders so i know now i am not on my own . hope you feel better soon . ...........jilly x

[earthwitch]

If the MTX helps other areas (hands, knees, feet, etc) but doesn't help your neck and back, then I'd be seriously wondering if you had spondyloarthritis rather than RA, and would ask the rheumatologist if that is a possibility. The standard RA treatments don't generally work for axial spondyloarthritis (i.e. pain and inflammation anywhere down the spine) whereas they can help with the peripheral stuff. Shoulders can be either RA or spondy, but back pain, and especially lower back or neck areas, are typically spondyloarthritis.

[jilly1 in reply to earthwitch]

Hi earthwitch , thanks for that you have got me thinking now , I do have a lot of problems with my back from neck to lower back . I have just thought it must all be the RA . I will have to write it all down and speak to the nurse or my gp. Thanks again you have all been so helpful, this is a great site . ......jillyx

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Jilly

The MTX certainly could help, but it will depend on the main cause of the pain. Firstly, obviously it could be something other than RA. Secondly, if it is RA, is it damage that has been done to those joints (in which case the pain is likely to stay, though could be managed with painkillers, physio etc) or is it from active inflammation (in which case if the MTX gets this under better control this will hopefully improve).

If you have had X-rays on these areas recently it is worth asking the rheumatologist or specialist nurse whether the x-rays showed up any damage. If not, you could ask if they think an x-ray would be useful, and explain the symptoms that you've been experiencing.

Hope that helps

Victoria

(NRAS Helpline)