Shoulder pain: Just recently diagnosed with... - Thyroid UK

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Shoulder pain

Cdigsgurl1 profile image
27 Replies

Just recently diagnosed with hasimoto's. Anyone experienced chronic shoulder pain?

I used to could exercise and now it's very hard for me:(

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Cdigsgurl1 profile image
Cdigsgurl1
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27 Replies
Congirl profile image
Congirl

Hi Cdigsgurl

I started with a frozen shoulder Jan 2016, suffered with it until August, I then had steroid injection which eased it straight away, I had also started to supplement with B12, D3 and magnesium which may have helped. In the last couple of weeks I have felt a twinge, but at the moment it is no where near as bad as it was.

Shamrock16 profile image
Shamrock16

Yes me too, I had about a year of terrible pain in my shoulder and neck before I was disagnosed with Hashimoto's. But same as @rosw I started to supplement VitD, b12 and also take magnesium before bed and I haven't had trouble with it since, I don't know if it was related to vitamin deficiencies but it seems like too much of a coincidence. Feel better soon!

Josiesmum profile image
Josiesmum

It may sound far fetched but I've read that frozen shoulder can be caused by gluten intolerance, which is also implicated in Hashimoto's. May be worth a gluten free trial to see if your symptoms improve.

You could ask GP for a celiac test first, but then try going 100% gluten free regardless of the result as not everyone with gluten intolerance has celiac.

Maryh1 profile image
Maryh1

I have terrible pain in my shoulders and upper arms when I walk more than 4 miles. I figured it was my rotater cuffs and the fact that I don't do enough exercise. I had terrible tendonitis when I was younger and had to give up golf and tennis. Never related it to my Hasimotos.

Debbie2012 profile image
Debbie2012

Hi, vits and magnesium helped all my aches and pains, but t3 was the best cure. Gallbladder issues can cause right shoulder pain?

bluebug profile image
bluebug

Have you had your vitamin D, ferritin, folate and vitamin B12 levels tested? If not get them tested and get the results and ranges. You may have to do this privately of your GP refuses to test them.

I personally know a few people who had vitamin D deficiencies and had shoulder pain irrespective of the other illnesses they have.

However with Hashimitos you will have absorption issues so will be more likely to be nutrient deficient

Katepots profile image
Katepots

Are you gluten/casein free? Important with Hashimotos. Should really help with pain and inflammation.

How much do you know about Hashimotos?

Also try cutting out nightshades potato,tomato,aubergine...My bone pains are much worse if I eat them especially potato. I have sweet potato or mashed parsnip instead.

Check your B12, Vit D, Folate, feretin, magnesium. Potassium might be an idea too.

FlippinThyroid profile image
FlippinThyroid in reply to Katepots

Actually you may want to get out of eating parsnips too. Same chemicals in the parsnips.

Katepots profile image
Katepots in reply to FlippinThyroid

Oh no!!! Boo 😩

FlippinThyroid profile image
FlippinThyroid

Hi, there is a link between Hashimotos and Fibromyalgia. You sound like you have that too. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired). People with fibromyalgia have pain and tenderness throughout the body. People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as: ... Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”). Take a look at Google. Also, you may benefit from having a deep tissue massage not a mamby pamby massage but from someone who knows how to give a deep sports type massage. Don't get involved with heated accessories which may be provided, the massage and Bowens technique works best. Good luck.

Rennixon profile image
Rennixon

Hi yes! I feel your pain. Mine developed into frozen shoulder & I ended up with physiotherapy & 3 steroid injections. I have a good range of movement now , but at one point I could not dress myself! I also found out I had a Vit D deficiency as well.

I take vit D with K2 (very important to take together, so the vit d goes to your bones) magnesium, selenium, B12 & B complex. I also do yoga every day, as well as a few physio exercises. I don't get any pain now, but it has taken months & at one point I thought I would never be able to move it. Luckily my doc got me a physiotherapist appointment really quickly & she was very good - She told me the pain is probably from inflammation in the joint, & to imagine a ball of knotted string inside the joint, so the joint can't move freely & gets caught on the string making more knots. Doing gentle exercises & not pushing too much will unravel some of those knots & help get your movement back.

Hope this helps. 🙂

wisewoman108 profile image
wisewoman108

Yes me too. I was never sure whether it was connected to Hashimotos . However it became worse when I had a gluten lapse when travelling recently. Also just discovered that my Vit D is low. Now getting some relief from deep tissue massage and gentle somatics exercises. Hope you get some improvement soon! X

Ali8655 profile image
Ali8655

Hi. I have undiagnosed Hashimoto (high antibodies but because there's no pain GP says not Hashimoto). I also have chronic pain in both shoulders with rigjt shoulder worse. Like you find exercise difficult so just do what I can. I have had 4 steroid injections - 3 by GP which had no effect and one st the hospital where infection identified by ultrascan and injection went straight into infection. I felt immediate relief but unfortunately didn't last.

I'm seeing a functional medical practitioner next week and am hoping that whatever treatment/diet I'm put on addresses my shoulder pain.

Katepots profile image
Katepots in reply to Ali8655

What rot!!! Antibodies = Hashimotos.

What an idiot.

Gluten, casein and soy free. You'll notice a difference.

Get vitamin deficiencies addressed.

Good probiotic phinaturals 10/30 from Amazon is really good.

Turmeric/cinnamon good anti inflammatories

Ali8655 profile image
Ali8655 in reply to Katepots

Thanks Katepots. Must admit was shocked with doctor but was so far in a brain fog I couldn't respond. Final straw was when he asked if it could all be in my head. Total eejit.

I've done the Symprove 12 week programme which is pro and probiotics. Helped with the "IBS-D". Now trying Yakult but am interested in trying the phinarurals.

I'm hoping the functional medical practitioner, who is also a GP, can help when I see her next week.

Katepots profile image
Katepots in reply to Ali8655

Functional medicine definitely the way to go. Lucky you to have one nearby!

Good luck.

FlippinThyroid profile image
FlippinThyroid in reply to Ali8655

I'd get rid of the doctor for sure.

SewingBee profile image
SewingBee

Yes I had a frozen shoulder and I was told that it is common in Thyroid conditions. It came on gradually and was very painful but it has subsided now so light at the end of the tunnel. Rub in painkillers are the best but you may need someone to do it for you. Get help from your doctor.

posthinking01 profile image
posthinking01

Hi all - I always know when my thyroid meds are low because I get a twinge in my shoulder - anything to do with the tendons needs Vitamin C - which will be dragged from the body to feed the adrenals if they are low - the adrenals are greedy little whatsits - so you need to take C in the meantime until you sort out the thyroid issue.................they now believe Scurvy was an adrenal deficiency.

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35

I had referred shoulder pain from TMD (symptoms are: shoulder pain, neck stiffness and a jaw that feels weird, 'clicky' and tight when I open it..) which always flared up at the start of my monthly cycle (high oestrogen) and especially during times of stress and a useless body clock. There is a link between TMD and hypo, because adrenal stress makes TMD and hypothyroidism worse. Since I stopped taking nac, it's started up again. The problem with nac, though, is that it seems to eat up b12, so I've needed to take more of that to compensate and am a bit reluctant to go back on the nac. Antioxidants like vit d and b12 and omegas are very important with these kinds of pains.

Butterfly_lady profile image
Butterfly_lady

I've got a lot of shoulder and neck aches too. Just being diagnosed with hashimotos. I hope you feel better soon. My full story is on my page.

Take care. Butterfly_lady

blondpalomino profile image
blondpalomino

I have had 2 frozen shoulders,and had ultrasound scanned injections which helped.I also now have a long standing (5 years) problem with my hip,which won't go away.I have an ultrasound injection every year, it helps for about 4 months, then gets bad again,but I can't have any more as it destroys the muscles.

Cdigsgurl1 profile image
Cdigsgurl1 in reply to blondpalomino

I have had hip/lower back issue on right side for many years too

Eddie83 profile image
Eddie83

I had long-term Hashi's/hypothyroid from gluten enteropathy, which also crashed my nutritional levels (esp. amino acids). The consequence of this was multiple musculoskeletal problems, most of which have gone away. However, I have a permanent degenerative condition (broken longhead bicep tendon, torn labrum) in my right shoulder. I had problems with my right arm for 15 years before the degenerative injury, but orthopedic MDs had no clue as to why because they do not consider hormone and nutritional levels. I would encourage you to take a close look at all your nutritional levels, but especially your albumin, globulin, and Total Blood Protein (TBP). I have used free essential amino acids to counteract the protein digestion problems caused by enteropathy and age. It is not uncommon for elite athletes to use aminos, due to the extreme demands they make of their musculoskeletal system, and the relatively weak ability of the human gut to digest protein from food.

Cdigsgurl1 profile image
Cdigsgurl1

Wow! Thank you ALL for your responses!! I was just diagnosed on Monday, so this is all new to me...although I have been struggling with a multitude of symptoms for many years now! Thankful to finally know what's going on and try to treat it!

Dr put me on an adrenal pack to take in morning and NP Thyroid which I have not taken yet but I will update when I do!

I also was told I have gluten sensitivity & vitamin D defienecy, so although it will be a STRUGGLE, I am committed to changing my diet and taking the TONS of supplements the Dr suggests!

Stay strong everyone❤

Cdigsgurl1 profile image
Cdigsgurl1

Oh, anyone taken NP Thyroid? Suppose to be all natural.

elaine2447 profile image
elaine2447

me too frozen shoulder with bursitis and small rotator cuff tear. The impingement was agony and went up the side od my face and in my eye socket. Declined injections as I have severe osteoporosis. The shoulder exercises made it worse and my back and xray a couple if weeks back showed compression fracture at T5. The 12 hour voltorol helped a bit. Been taking supplements and probiotics for three years so not deficient. Its the cursed Hashimotos. Shoulder started last July then I had antibodies tests in September over 1300 of the little beggars. Gp said its a virus and left me to rot! Went gluten free in November and since seen functional medicine practitioner who is also a go. Told me to cut out dairy for four weeks to start with going back in two weeks and think she is going to start mr on ndt. Also referred me to Bowen therapist for shoulder and back.

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