Guest guest Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I get shoulder pain that sometimes also runs along my collarbone or down my shoulderblades, and sometimes it hits my muscle, my upper arm and feels like a very large charley horse. It seems to last 24-48 hours no matter what I do, hot baths, ibuprofen, ice. Ice seems tohelp my shoulder better than heat and yes when mine hits, I cannot move my arm at all, cannot dress, comb hair, brush teeth, or even get a glass or fork tomy mouth. That is my most limiting area of complaint. The shoulder afects more of my day than any other part of my body and the pain always seems most intense when it is my shoulder. I sympathize. (and it can be either shoulder on me) - In , " Holly " <hollybgroovin2003@...> wrote: > > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to miss work today > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the pain in my shoulder. > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly works, and hot > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this problem, and what > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this type of pain in a long > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. Thanks!! Holly > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Holly, I've been having some severe pain in my right shoulder lately. For several weeks, I've been conscious of some pain there when I wake up in the morning and roll over. But then on Friday the pain was terrible. It felt like a migraine, only in my shoulder. In fact, when I do have a migraine, it's usually in the left side of my head and radiates down into my left shoulder. But this time, I didn't have a migraine in my head. I kept taking things for the pain, but it persisted. I even threw up on Friday. My pain was down my shoulder blade and did also go up into my neck a little. It's better now, but the pain is not completely gone. It was really bad all through the weekend. Saturday morning was time for my Enbrel injection. I was tempted to inject into my aching shoulder, but I knew I wouldn't be able to see what I was doing, so I injected into my stomach as usual. Then I was tempted to use the needle to give myself some acupuncture, but refrained from that, also. I wonder if this is a flare. When you have a flare, can it be in just one place like that? In general, I've also been very tired and wiped out. Sue On Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at 08:25 PM, Holly wrote: > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to miss work today > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the pain in my shoulder. > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly works, and hot > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this problem, and what > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this type of pain in a long > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. Thanks!! Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 i get clavicle pain. it really stinks!!! went to the rheumi yesterday and ended up agreeing to try arava again. she really didn't have much choices for me as i have gone thru it all already. she told me there was a new drug out at 6500 per month. offered me enbrel and remicaide again. she told me dizziness is not a side effect, but what i read on the net it is. she also said it had no lung complications and again it does. but she said my records show i was doing fine until they raised the dosage. (why do they always do that!!!) can't they just leave well enough alone!! she also said i could drive to northwestern and get on a trial. (no thanks!!) Kathy in IL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Hi, It might be bursitis. I have that in both shoulders, and raising my arms over my head or reaching for things is quite painful. > > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to miss work today > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the pain in my shoulder. > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly works, and hot > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this problem, and what > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this type of pain in a long > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. Thanks!! Holly > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 ((((Holly))))) You are in good company with that shoulder pain. I can empathize with you. Hot baths or showers help me the most. You can also use warm compresses. The Therma Care brand have small pads that you can stick to your shoulders and/or arms. They are very helpfull and hide easily under your clothing. I work in surgery where it is ALWAYS cold. I usually use them to help keep me warm, but they are wonderful for the pain as well. I have used the small long ones that are made for wrists or upper back/neck. The trianglular ones that are ment for PMS pain also owrk well on the shoulders because of their sharp. They have a light adhesive on them that allow them to stay in place and the heat from them last up to 12 hours or more, sometimes. I am allergic to adhesive, but these don't break me out, so if you have adhesive reactions, you may be ok with these. Got you in my prayers.....Gentle hugs, Marina --- In , " Holly " <hollybgroovin2003@...> wrote: > > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to miss work today > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the pain in my shoulder. > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly works, and hot > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this problem, and what > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this type of pain in a long > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. Thanks!! Holly > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Sue, Just to be safe, you should call your physician. Unusual fatigue, shoulder blade/upper back pain, neck pain, and vomiting can be prodromal and/or acute symptoms of heart attack in women. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Pain, pain, pain! > Holly, I've been having some severe pain in my right shoulder lately. > For several weeks, I've been conscious of some pain there when I wake > up in the morning and roll over. But then on Friday the pain was > terrible. It felt like a migraine, only in my shoulder. In fact, when I > do have a migraine, it's usually in the left side of my head and > radiates down into my left shoulder. > > But this time, I didn't have a migraine in my head. I kept taking > things for the pain, but it persisted. I even threw up on Friday. > > My pain was down my shoulder blade and did also go up into my neck a > little. It's better now, but the pain is not completely gone. It was > really bad all through the weekend. > > Saturday morning was time for my Enbrel injection. I was tempted to > inject into my aching shoulder, but I knew I wouldn't be able to see > what I was doing, so I injected into my stomach as usual. Then I was > tempted to use the needle to give myself some acupuncture, but > refrained from that, also. > > I wonder if this is a flare. When you have a flare, can it be in just > one place like that? In general, I've also been very tired and wiped > out. > > Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 My old rheumy at first tried to say my shoulder pain was not RA but later decided it was. he did give me a muscle relaxer, but it did not agree with me, and did not help- so I suffered thru, Thankfully my shoulders would act up one ta a time, and the intense pain would subside within 24-48 hours, (but ramifications and weakness would linger maybe a week) during the intense time, mostly I could not move or do anything...would sit propped up and space off or cry. It is awful. it also really affects my balance. (making walking precarius) I wish you luck to get relief. - In , kringlemom@... wrote: > > i get clavicle pain. it really stinks!!! went to the rheumi yesterday and > ended up agreeing to try arava again. she really didn't have much choices for > me as i have gone thru it all already. > she told me there was a new drug out at 6500 per month. offered me enbrel > and remicaide again. she told me dizziness is not a side effect, but what i > read on the net it is. she also said it had no lung complications and again it > does. but she said my records show i was doing fine until they raised the > dosage. (why do they always do that!!!) can't they just leave well enough > alone!! > she also said i could drive to northwestern and get on a trial. (no > thanks!!) > > Kathy in IL > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I'm sorry about the level of pain you are experiencing Sue. I can really relate. In fact, that was my first sign of RA, shoulder joint pain, severe. I have also had the clavicle and costochondritis pain where it feels like an elephant is sitting on your chest! I am telling you RA is a mean and nasty disease. My shoulders were damaged before my hands or feet were. The left shoulder had such searing pain, I had to sleep in a recliner chair -- for months, then later off and on for years. Over time the shoulder never recovered even when there is no pain in it. I cannot reach the right side of my body to bathe fully because of the left shoulder's damage and limitation. The right shoulder suffered badly as well but not to the degree of the left one. It was RA-related for me, even nauseous when the pain became to unbearable which was often. *Even though it was RA-related for me, brings up a good point about heart attack symptoms and definitely something to look into.* If it is RA- related, can the doctor inject the joint with steroids? I have heard of an injection of mtx into the joints too. I only had the steroid injections but a co-worker with lupus did the mtx injections into her hip joint. Also, see if icing it with will help with an ice pack or some icy-hot cream to get through the night. It never stopped the pain completely for me but it eased it enough to where the nausea subsided and I didn't feel like crying my eyes out. peace and healing to you. Ebony --- In , " " <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: > > Sue, > > > Just to be safe, you should call your physician. Unusual fatigue, shoulder > blade/upper back pain, neck pain, and vomiting can be prodromal and/or acute > symptoms of heart attack in women. > > > > Not an MD > > I'll tell you where to go! > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > s Hopkins Medicine > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > Re: [ ] Pain, pain, pain! > > > > Holly, I've been having some severe pain in my right shoulder lately. > > For several weeks, I've been conscious of some pain there when I wake > > up in the morning and roll over. But then on Friday the pain was > > terrible. It felt like a migraine, only in my shoulder. In fact, when I > > do have a migraine, it's usually in the left side of my head and > > radiates down into my left shoulder. > > > > But this time, I didn't have a migraine in my head. I kept taking > > things for the pain, but it persisted. I even threw up on Friday. > > > > My pain was down my shoulder blade and did also go up into my neck a > > little. It's better now, but the pain is not completely gone. It was > > really bad all through the weekend. > > > > Saturday morning was time for my Enbrel injection. I was tempted to > > inject into my aching shoulder, but I knew I wouldn't be able to see > > what I was doing, so I injected into my stomach as usual. Then I was > > tempted to use the needle to give myself some acupuncture, but > > refrained from that, also. > > > > I wonder if this is a flare. When you have a flare, can it be in just > > one place like that? In general, I've also been very tired and wiped > > out. > > > > Sue > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I have had really, really bad pain in both shoulders, to the point that I couldn't move them. My husband had to help me dress. That was just when I was being dx'd, and being put on prednisone helped somewhat. The doc had me start in PT, which I am still doing, and I think that helped a little too. But the thing that REALLY helped a lot, and almost completely resolved it almost immediately was having both shoulders injected with cortisone. By the day after the injections, one shoulder was completely pain-free, and the other one is very close. --- In , " Holly " <hollybgroovin2003@...> wrote: > > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to miss work today > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the pain in my shoulder. > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly works, and hot > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this problem, and what > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this type of pain in a long > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. Thanks!! Holly > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I have horrible shoulder pain. Cassy --- In , " Holly " <hollybgroovin2003@...> wrote: > > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to miss work today > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the pain in my shoulder. > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly works, and hot > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this problem, and what > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this type of pain in a long > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. Thanks!! Holly > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 One of the things I remember most prior to getting a dx was that one shoulder would hurt so bad that tiny movements in " wrong " direction would make life unbearable then it moved to the other shoulder. I did not know what was happening, at one point I purchased a sling to keep the arm from moving so I would have as much pain. Pain seemed to go over here and then over there. It took a long time to get a dx but now that I have I am still learning. My shoulders hurt so bad tonight that I can't sleep, but that is just one of the many pains. I am still adjusting to figuring this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Don't strain your brain trying to figure this thing out!! I told my orthopedist that I feel like a hypochondriac!! The pain moves here there and everywhere, except away!! I didn't realize the pain could jump from joint to joint. One shoulder would hurt, then the knee, then the hands, then both shoulders, then ect. ect... If there is one pain I have ALL the time with this disease, it would be the pain in my ass (sorry). That's exactly what this disease is!!! LOL Funny thing is, that is the one pain that DOES'T hurt!!LOL...Marina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Hi there, I sure do have shoulder pain. I have to go in to my rheumy sometimes and get cortisone shots in my shoulders. Times when I can't dress myself..... Oh the joys! Holly wrote: > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to miss work today > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the pain in my shoulder. > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly works, and hot > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this problem, and what > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this type of pain in a long > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. Thanks!! Holly > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Oh Corinne, I've been there! Not to scare you, but boy does that shot hurt in the shoulder...sorry. But you'll feel better after, I swear. Hang in there. --- Corinne Drover <Corinne@...> wrote: > Hi there, > I sure do have shoulder pain. I have to go in to my > rheumy sometimes > and get cortisone > shots in my shoulders. Times when I can't dress > myself..... > Oh the joys! > > > > > > Holly wrote: > > > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to > miss work today > > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the > pain in my shoulder. > > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly > works, and hot > > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this > problem, and what > > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this > type of pain in a long > > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. > Thanks!! Holly > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Hi Corinne and , I have had both shoulders injected (as well as my hips, elbow and hand) I have to say that having my hips injected was very uncoforatble, and having my hand injected was excruciating. But having my shoulders injected was NOT a big deal at all. The doc first used a topical anesthetic spray, then injected lidocaine, followed by cortisone mixed with lidocaine. The most uncomforatble part was the lidocaine injection, but even that was no more than " uncomfortable " . My shoulders were WAY better in minutes. Even after the lidocaine wore off, my shoulders were no more than achey, and WAY better than they had been just before the injections. I'm not sure I'd have her do my hips again... I didn't get that much benefit from it, and what benefit there was has been very short- lived. But I'd have her do my shoulders again without hesitation if they got bad again. (I didn't have much choice with my hand, since it had frozen into a ball, and they needed to inject it to get the tendon to release) It worked... just hurt like H--l when they did it) > > > > > Anybody have shoulder pain from the RA? I had to > > miss work today > > > because I can't hardly move my arm because of the > > pain in my shoulder. > > > I've been taking 20 mg of Lortabs, but that hardly > > works, and hot > > > baths work a little bit. Anybody else have this > > problem, and what > > > seems to help you? I haven't experienced this > > type of pain in a long > > > time, and I need to make it to work tomorrow. > > Thanks!! Holly > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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