hiya does anyone get pains in their left arm. its in the muscle at the top of the arm and it hurts to lift it up x

[jaqi1]

[Hidden]

I've had something like that when my ra first flared before I was on mtx. It was really painful and kept me up all night. It lasted about 24hrs and then cleared up.

[Shell1967]

I suffered terribly with upper arm pain when first diagnosed,it went on for 3 mths,i tried everything heat pads,creams,gels,sprays the lot,it kept me awake all night,it was an awful gnawing ache,one day it just vanished,even before I started mtx,thank god !!!! Both arms were affected,but thankfully it hasn't returned ,hope this helps love Michelle xxx

[miss-scarlett]

Hi I too suffered but since I started on steroids it has cleared up and I have full movement again. It got to a stage where I could hardly move it. I still get a weird heavy sensation in the arm muscle but it is not painful any more and like I said I have full function again. I hope yours comes back too x

[Sue8]

Hi, I have had this for a few years then a year ago was diagnosed with PMR (polymyalgia Rheumatica). It also causes neck and shoulder pain/stiffness and thigh pain. Steroids is the only treatment for it. 6 months later I was diagnoses with RA also and put on MTX. I have just had another DMARD added but can't seem to lower the steroids and still on 15mg a day.

[RandomUser]

Yes, I have this in the right arm - shoulder, elbow, wrist all heavy and painful, painkillers work a bit but typing and anything that turns the joints is tricky..also similar pains but not yet quite so bad in shoulder/neck/left arm, all of which seem to be gradually deteriorating. Medical opinion seems to be that this isn't necessarily the RA and might be something polymyalgic, but I reckon this is code for 'go away until it's unendurable, we're not sure what it is,..,.' - am planning to have a try with the GP. I've had nerve conduction studies to rule out carpal injury etc, no real indication there, so it's alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen (or more often both at once these days) until they relent and give me a steroid injection...

[earthwitch]

Enthesitis (inflammation where tendon joins bone) can happen at several different places around the shoulder joint area, and because its the end of the tendon that is inflamed, it can refer down your arm quite a lot. I use voltaren gel if I get that kind of pain, but in the past I have also had a really good physio (though not in the UK) do some very gentle mobilisation of the joint as it had got to the point where I couldn't raise my arm. What the physio did was put heat on it first, then using some straps and getting into a rather odd position, they incredibly gently pulled my shoulder joint out and very slowly rotated it. I only had two sessions and it was great. At the same time they showed me how to keep on gently stretching that joint so it wouldn't "freeze up" again. I had also started on NSAIDs regularly at that point too, so I am sure the anti-inflammatory treatment helped.

I'd say if you have RA and you are having that kind of problem, it might be worth asking your rheumatologist or nurse if they think your RA is well enough controlled, because it could just be a sign that at least the shoulder joint is still bad.

[earthwitch]

Just a note that there is now increasing evidence that steroid injections into tendons are NOT a good idea - they can increase the possibility of tendon rupture at a later date. Thats different from steroid injections right into joints though (which are still OK)

[lynn-bel]

Hi

i get this now and then in both arms - I gently exercise them around in circles and use heat pads and Voltarol rubbed in as well, that does help. But I've never specifically mentioned it to my RA consultant, so I think praps I will next visit.

xx

[shirlthegirl]

I think this is all part of having RA, as i also have pains in both arms and find it hard to lift things sometimes, Just thought that once the meds really start doing there job they will get better, I have also had 3 steroid injections, but i did have a injection in both shoulders back in June before i was diagnosed, I will keep take note of what earthwitch has said thou xxx

[earthwitch in reply to shirlthegirl]

You need to check if they are putting the steroid injection right inside the joint. If so, then I,m pretty sure that isn't a problem. Neither are some of the other types of anaesthetic injections (plus a new type that I can't remember the name of) they use. The only one that is a problem is steroid injected right into a tendon.

[shirlthegirl in reply to earthwitch]

Ok thanks xx

[Riedenise]

Hi,

I have only just started getting pain in both arms, its like ive been punched, & yes my arms feel weak. I was diagnosed with Tennis Elbow in both arms before the RA, now told the Ra likely to have caused the problem with the tendons & my carpal tunnel in my wrists. Its a weird sensation, as I said its like I have been punched in the tops of my arms.

Rie x

[Hidden]

Hi jaqi,

yes i too get this it started in my left arm and it was when i was first diagnosed with RA, now i get it in both arms my consultant told me because i have RA in my elbow joints this puts added strain on the muscle.Gentle stretching exercise helps and put hot compresses on the effected areas. I get this on and off all the time especially when i get flares and unable to move my joints as much as i normally do. keep up with your pain killers too. have you mentioned it too your consultant? hope this helps x

[Fidget02]

I am so pleased to read this, I thought it was just me.

I am currently unable to wash my hair or even do my bra up!

Really hoping the steroid injection given last week helps.

It is like a catching pain when I do something which takes a while to settle back down

Ids this similar to any of you.

The pain in shoulders is dreadful!

[Pt4stsr in reply to Fidget02]

I have the same trouble. Was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and put on prednisone immediately. Notice improvements within a couple of days but still working on correct dosage for me. If will take time. Do your homework and research it on line.

[Ellenkay]

I've had it too, Hurt like hell, Could take me up to three hours to straighten my left arm. I have RA in both elbows and often my shoulders hurt too.

My arm was even visibly swollen!

[rheumatoidymummy]

I had it too before I was diagnosed, couldn't really lify my left arm at all and for no particular reason - it was very strange butu only lasted a day or so.

[jaqi1]

i have had it several times before i was diagnosed, went to walk in centre and they just said a pulled muscle which i knew i hadn't done. anyway i have been on mtx for 2 years now and all of a sudden it has come back. i dont really understand why.