Shoulder issues - Grrrr | Arthritis Information

My left shoulder has been bothering me for some time now. I've had a few shoulder injuries over the years, and it just feels like it almost slips out of the socket at times. Last time I was at the rheumatologist we talked about getting an MRI, but I decided not to do it at that time because I was too busy. Well, I think the time has come. All the long-distance driving I've done in the past month has really taken its toll. By the end of a trip, it's really aching. I'm just not looking forward to any surgical intervention - I drive a manual transmission car and I imagine having shoulder surgery might put a crimp in my style for a couple of weeks. Not to mention the fact that I'm militantly left-handed... Hey Jasmine, I am really sorry to hear about your shoulder problems. When my RA is in my shoulders its hard to do anything and forget about sleeping at night. Roll over on the wrong side and you are wide awake! I wish I could tell you something you don't know, (rest it, heat therapy...) I find if I put mine in a sling, it keeps me from using it so much. Sometimes it just takes resting up to get on top of things to make the pain manageable. I hope you feel better soon.
Waddie
A manuel transmission WOW you are brave, I never was able to drive them without grinding the transmission to death. And talk about avoiding all inclines

Hope you shoulder gets a rest.

I don't know if this would be an option, but would physical therapy help? Maintaining range of motion is so important. When we hurt, we tend to "baby" that joint, and not use it fully, and gradually lose range of motion, which then leads to difficulty doing basic stuff, like getting dressed.

Good luck with however you decide to deal with those shoulders. Take care.
Maybe your RD can give you a pred pack to get past the worst of it.The medrol dosepaks don't help much with the feeling that my shoulder is coming apart at the socket. Jas, being a farm girl, I learned to drive with a manual as that is all we had at the time. I love my automatic but don't mind driving manual. Try some heat or cold to that shoulder and see if that helps. Also, maybe a TENS unit would come in handy until you can get the problem resolved.PT can be very helpful in shoulder problemsSorry about your shoulders, JasmineRain. I hate shoulder pain. It's the worst.

I hope you feel better soon.

[QUOTE=lorster]Jas, being a farm girl, I learned to drive with a manual as that is all we had at the time. I love my automatic but don't mind driving manual. Try some heat or cold to that shoulder and see if that helps. Also, maybe a TENS unit would come in handy until you can get the problem resolved.[/QUOTE]

Yea, I've got my neck/shoulder coldpack chillin' in the deep freeze right now. It takes forever to cool down, and to make matters worse, I had left it on top of the metal shelf on my radiator. [QUOTE=buckeye]PT can be very helpful in shoulder problems[/QUOTE]

I have a feeling that whatever is wrong with this shoulder it's gonna take alot of my time to get it tuned upJasmineRain,

I understand but have no answers.

I bought a recliner to sleep in because my shoulder pain was so severe. The RA started in the left shoulder. It has received the most damage. The right one is very limited as well. They both pop and do not allow me to do simple things at time, like showering or combing my hair. I used to be very particular about my hair being just so, not anymore. kind of a mop head these days. unfortunately.

However, I like the suggestions about getting physical therapy but after the inflammation subsides. just to keep good range of motion. I don't know if steroid injections to the shoulders can be done. It doesn't hurt to ask the doc about that but RA is just being its mean self trying to turn you into a statue or the tin man.

I put icy hot on my shoulders sometimes. it doesn't stop the pain but sometimes soothes it. they have been quiet lately. It's the hands and hips these days and the water balloon legs and ankles.

feel better soon. Shelly632009-01-21 17:14:40The shoulder issue isn't RA - I've had a few shoulder injuries. It has too much range-of-motion. Sounds like shoulder instability and as someone who has that issue, let me say I feel your pain Have you had problems with shoulder dislocations? Are you double jointed?

Sorry to hear you are having shoulder problems. I'd get that MRI over with and then decide how to deal with it. Good Luck and hope you feel better! [QUOTE=Lynn49]Sounds like shoulder instability and as someone who has that issue, let me say I feel your pain Have you had problems with shoulder dislocations? Are you double jointed?

[/QUOTE]

Definitely not double-jointed - but I've had some injuries from weightlifting and also a couple different times from falling and catching myself with my left hand/arm, severely jolting my shoulder. Normally it's just "mildly annoying" but sometimes it seems to really get aggravated by various activities. The car I'm driving (a Mini Cooper) is a bumpier ride than my old Saturn sedan, and also there is no armrest on the driver's side door like I had on my Saturn. I was used to resting my elbow on the Saturn's armrest while keeping my hand on the steering wheel. Now in this car when I hold onto the steering wheel, the rest of my arm is "hanging." It's not a problem during the rush-hour drives to and from work, or for short drives around town, but when I'm driving on the highway doing nothing but keeping the car aimed straight down the road it really seems to cause me some grief.
Not sure if the following will be of any use, I found it interesting.

Ron

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2008.07.013

Abstract

Parsonage–Turner syndrome, also known as acute brachial neuritis or neuralgic amyotrophy, can be caused by various infectious agents. We report on four patients who experienced Parsonage–Turner syndrome as the first manifestation of Lyme disease. The clinical picture was typical, with acute shoulder pain followed rapidly by weakness and wasting of the shoulder girdle muscles. Electrophysiological testing showed denervation. A single patient reported erythema chronicum migrans after a tick bite. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytosis and protein elevation in 3 patients. Serological tests for Lyme disease were positive in the serum in all 4 patients and in the cerebrospinal fluid in 2 patients. Antibiotic therapy ensured a favorable outcome in all 4 cases. Two patients achieved a full recovery within 6 months. Parsonage–Turner syndrome should be added to the list of manifestations of neuroborreliosis. Serological tests for Lyme disease should be performed routinely in patients with Parsonage–Turner syndrome.

I don't think it's Lyme disease-related. I can tie the pain and instability to specific injury incidents. [QUOTE=JasmineRain] [QUOTE=Lynn49]Sounds like shoulder instability and as someone who has that issue, let me say I feel your pain Have you had problems with shoulder dislocations? Are you double jointed?

What makes a shoulder become unstable?

Shoulder instability often follows an injury that caused the shoulder to dislocate. This initial injury is usually fairly significant, and the shoulder must be reduced. To reduce a shoulder means it must be manually put back into the socket. The shoulder may seem to return to normal, but the joint often remains unstable. The ligaments that hold the shoulder in the socket, along with the labrum (the cartilage rim around the glenoid), may have become stretched or torn. This makes them too loose to keep the shoulder in the socket when it moves in certain positions. An unstable shoulder can result in repeated episodes of dislocation, even during normal activities. Instability can also follow less severe shoulder injuries.

Related Document: A Patient's Guide to Labral Tears

In some cases, shoulder instability can happen without a previous dislocation. People who do repeated shoulder motions may gradually stretch out the joint capsule. This is especially common in athletes such as baseball pitchers, volleyball players, and swimmers. If the joint capsule gets stretched out and the shoulder muscles become weak, the ball of the humerus begins to slip around too much within the shoulder. Eventually this can cause irritation and pain in the shoulder.

A genetic problem with the connective tissues of the body can lead to ligaments that are too elastic. When ligaments stretch too easily, they may not be able to hold the joints in place. All the joints of the body may be too loose. Some joints, such as the shoulder, may be easily dislocated. People with this condition are sometimes referred to as double-jointed.

http://www.orthogate.org/patient-education/shoulder/shoulder-instability.html

Jasmine -- you should really look into prolotherapy for your shoulders, particularly if it is injury related. It is alternative medicine, but very, very effective. I had both of my shoulders treated -- it is time consuming, and somewhat expensive since most insurance will not cover it -- but my shoulders are as good as new -- and 2 years ago I couldn't lift my arms above shoulder height, or get close to taking off my own bra. My orthopedist wanted to do cortisone and surgery -- I really did not need either.

I went to a natural medicine clinic in Oak Park, Illinois (www.caringmedical.com). But there are other practitioners across the country -- check out www.getprolo.com and maybe you live near someone who can give you a consultation. Good luck

Bonnie Lou