TENDONITIS

[Patient007]

I have shoulder, upper arm and neck pain. I have trouble raising my arm and the pain has been ongoing for nearly three months. No pain killers or gel seems to work. I am wondering if it is time to go and see a GP or do these things take ages to get better. I suffer with arthritis in my spine and hands.

[Flamey49]

Hi

I really feel for you, I know how bad the pain is. I have had Tendonitis in both shoulders/arms, right now I have it in my right shoulder. It can sometimes take a good while to get better according to my physiotherapist.

When I had it in my left shoulder a couple of months ago I ended up in the out of hours GP up at the hospital, the pain was that bad, all he gave me were anti inflammatories which didn't help one bit! Even the strong painkillers I take already didn't touch the pain. But it just ended up getting better on it's own after about 4 - 6 weeks.

I have only just recently found out about the Tendonitis in my right shoulder by having an ultrasound scan, but this one has been going on for months, I have very limited range with it when I put my arm behind my back, it only goes so far. I have been having physio for months on it, and ultrasound, etc, to no avail, hence why my physio sent me for an ultrasound scan to see what was going on. He was also talking about having injections in it, not sure if that will go ahead or not.

As you have been suffering for 3 months I would say yes, it is time for you to go and see your GP, and ask him to refer you for an mri or ultrasound scan and also a physiotherapist.

I hope this has helped you some, and that you get things sorted and get better soon

Martina

xx

[Patient007 in reply to Flamey49]

Hi Martina. Thanks for that. I think that only someone who has this understands the pain you are in. It affects your whole body! I can only take very limited amounts of anti inflam tabs as I as I am anticoagulants as I suffer with Atrial Fibrillation. Dave

[deejames]

How o you know it's tendonitis ? There are a number of reasons for pain such as you describe but I think after 3 months it's time to get a professional opinion. Physio or chiropractor might be better than your GP but not free.

Good luck in resolving your pain.

Dee

[Patient007 in reply to deejames]

About two months ago I had to see a Physio regarding a knee injury and I mentioned the pain in my arm/shoulder to her and she said it sounded like tendonitis and can takes weeks to get better. I went to my GP regarding my knee again and mentioned my shoulder etc to her while I was there. She did bloods for my knee which all came back negative for inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis and dvt and so she said that the pain in my shoulder and arm could take ages to get better as well.

[johnsmith]

Get an MRI scan. When I had pain in my shoulder with symptoms such as yours a tear in the tendon was found. There was also a buildup of fluid around the tendon sheath.

A two week course of erythromycin cleared the pain from the inflammation. A McTimony chiropractor worked on getting the shoulder moving again as the bicep's muscle had over contracted.

Google "erythromycin anti inflammatory effects".

The pain can be for all sorts of reasons. You need the MRI scan to eliminate the all sorts of reasons to narrow it down to a specific.

Hope this helps.

[deejames in reply to johnsmith]

This is interesting John. I have damaged the tendons around the hip socket. I am on crutches after surgery and for the first two weeks I was using the bad leg to balance by over extending it to the side and back. The result being wicked burning pain in the area. I am waiting for it to heal which I know could be a long time. I am keen to reduce the pain medication which increased after surgery but this tendon pain is bad and making me reluctant. I shall be looking up erythromycin.

It was the chiropractor who diagnosed tendon problems after examining me and seeing the stupid things I was doing with my leg. 5 days since I learnt what not to do and at least it's not getting worse as it was every day before I knew. Unfortunately , as you know, the body is quick to learn bad movements and not so quick to automatically not do them.

Thanks for the information

Dee

[Patient007]

Thanks I will make another appointment to see my GP.

[aliceinwonderland]

Hi, I agree with previous advice about getting it looked at again. There are a number of causes for these symptoms. It is important to have it properly diagnosed in case it is something else, and the treatment is different. If your diagnosis is correct then it may be time for you to be referred to a specialist - I wish you good luck

[Patient007 in reply to aliceinwonderland]

I went back to the GP who has referred me for an ultrasound. Also prescribed Pregabalin 50mg twice a day but the side effects sound awful so will speak to GP again. Says you should not drink alcohol and I like a couple of glasses of wine every now and again and might not be able to drive. I have to use my car as I cannot walk very well. They use them to treat fyfibromyalgia which she said could also be.

[Patient007]

Ok. Thanks for that.