Severe shoulder pain | Arthritis Information

Short history - I have hashimotos thyroiditis. I recently suspected Sjogrens syndrome. Endocrinologist ran labs for me even though he was opposed to it stating there is no treatment. Ana/ssa/ssb all came back negative. Ra came back positive at 64. Family history of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. I've had severe hip pain off and on for a while, dr put me on vitamin d, I no longer have any hip pain.
Over the past 3 months or so, I have been experiencing severe shoulder pain. It started in one shoulder, lasted 2-3 days, could barely move my shoulder it was so painful. It then went away and appx. 2 weeks later, same thing, other shoulder. I thought this was happening as maybe I was sleeping wrong on my shoulder, but it has since occurred late afternoon just out of the blue. This has happened 4-5 times so far, each time alternating shoulders. I took a handful of motrin today, no relief. I am in severe pain right now.
It never occurred to me prior to the lab tests recently that I could have arthritis. Does this sound like arthritis to anybody?? I am in so much pain and just very confused. I do not follow up with my endo for at least 2 months and wondering what I should do now? Anybody have any thoughts that could assist me?
Thanks so much. and sorry to know that you are in such pain. But welcome to the board. I'm sure you will receive lots of support on here, as I did, and learn lots about your condition. I haven't actually posted on here for ages, but there are still a lot of very experienced caring members in here.

If you have RA, it's can be very common to have this shoulder pain., as with all your joints. Mine actually started in my shoulders and neck - it's initially what sent me to the Dr. Within 3 days I couldn't move or turn my neck or lift my arms. That and severe arm muscle pain and wrist joints. My GP referred me to the Rheumatologist with suspected Polymyalgia Myalgia. Rheumatologist diagnosed me with Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis - (That's RA too but without the positive RA Factor in the blood tests. Same symptoms, same treatment. An aggressive approach, but certainly has prevented (so far) any permanent damage.

I had actually had trouble with my arms, and wrists for years, carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists, splints etc etc, awful pain even after that, and it wasn't until I went to the Dr about the shoulder & neck pain, that he suspected this Polymyalgia Rheumatica, did blood tests, which showed the inflammation, gave me a few days of Pred tablets - which sorted the shoulders, and confirmed his thinking. Prednisone is used for a diagnostic tool for Polymyalgia Rheumatica - and thats when he sent me immediately to the Rheumatologist.

From memory (I think it was about 10 years ago now)initially the Rheum. gave me cortisone shots in the shoulders and wrists, for immediate relief (the next day much better and just continued to improve quickly) and then I was put on a high dose of prednisone, with methotrexate, folic acid, Fosamax, and Ibuprofen for extra pain relief. After about 6 weeks, (takes about that long for the methotrexate etc to kick in) I had to start lowering the dose of prednisone, and another drug - Placquenil, was added in. Now still on 8 mgs of that, (hard to get below that, but I still trying) plus the others as above. About two years ago I began to feel much better, with energy returning etc. and am now in a remission, (albeit medically controlled). Still have the odd time when I have to take extra medication, but on the whole, I'm back at work, functioning really well, and feeling much more like my happy energetic self. Change of season plays me up a bit, but once the weather stabilises, it settles down again. Hated the thought that I had to be on all these ghastly drugs, but man - I sure wasn't doing well, and life is good again. After 2 years off work, then working part time, I am now back working full time and enjoying life again!! I have blood tests every 6 weeks, and usually see my Rheumatologist only every 6 months now (it was every three months for around 5 years) - unless I have an urgent need to see him, which has been rare in the last 5 years - thank goodness!

My point in this long saga, is not really to tell my story, but to recommend and urge that you get a referral pronto to a Rheumatologist. With RA (whether negative or positive factor) you need the correct medication regime to get the inflammation under control (which will help with the pain) as quickly as you can to prevent permanent damage and certainly help with extra proper pain relief.

Good luck, hang in there, get a diagnosis and treatment sorted from a Rheumatologist as soon as you can, and you will hopefully be on the road to getting your condition and pain under control. Cheers!!

I constantly struggle with shoulder pain. I have been told it is bursitis and tendonitis of the rotator cuff. I just recently had Xrays to rule out a spur (my one shoulder got real bad but both shoulders bother me). The Xray showed RA damage. So I think it is everything, RA, bursitis, tendonitis. It has subsided somewhat for the time being but I think a cortisone shot is next up. You sound like you may be at that point now.

This has bothered me for years. Forever I would muddle through thinking it was just RA and there was nothing I could do. I have learned that taking 2 naprosen a day for awhile (to get the anti-inflammatory bennefit) does reduce the inflammation and the pain. Taking handfuls of motrin sporadically may not give you the anti-inflammatory benefit. It must be taken regularly (talk to your Dr).

sorry you're having so much trouble!

I am surprised that your endo did not refer you to a rheumatologist... with a positive RA test, you should see one.. and they would be better equipped to answer your questions and/or prescribe some actions or meds that may help.

best to you!

[QUOTE=babs10]

sorry you're having so much trouble!

best to you!

I finally went to a Rheumatologist (Duh!) and he put me on Methotrexate and Prednisone. After about four days the swelling went down and the pain went away.

I started with 4 MTX once a week and 2 Pred a day. After five months I am off the Pred, but up to 8 MTX once a week. I have had great relief, thank God. I take the MTX on Wednesday, but by Tuesday I can feel the RA bleeding through.

There is relief out there. I wish you good luck

steve

[QUOTE=mojo22] [QUOTE=babs10]

sorry you're having so much trouble!

best to you!

[/QUOTE]

I just had the test done recently and only at my insistance because I believe I have sjogrens. He didn't want to do them stating there is not treatment for sjogrens, therefore no point in the tests. He knows nothing of this recent shoulder pain.
I did go to my doctor today, saw the nurse practitioner (yes, clown face says it all. She put me on meloxicam and vicodin with a referral to a rheumatologist. I was surprised no xray or ct scan or prednisone or anything. So now, still in excrutiating pain, esp. if I lay down, still can't move my arm and the other shoulder is hurting now, and won't be hearing back from the rheumatologist for at least a week. Hopefully the meloxicam does something, because I could barely get a button up shirt on today and have no idea how I am supposed to work tomorrow!
Thanks everyone.[/QUOTE]
Well.. you could be right about the Sjogrens' It isn't only by blood tests that it can be diagnosed. What are the symptoms that make you feel you have SS?
I have Sjogrens and it is secondary Sjogrens after RA. So you can have them both.. and with your positive RF it is possible.
I hope you find answers.. I'm sorry you're suffering.. make that call to the Rheumie so you can at least get to see him/her asap!

Hi Mojo. Bad that you are in such pain, but really very pleased you have been referred to a Rheumatologist and trust that you are able to get in quickly. In the meantime, have you tried using microwavable wheat bags or cornbags?? They have certainly given me good relief and comfort, especially in bed, and they stay warm all night!

have Sjogrens as well and tried all the artificial salivas, mouthwashes etc. My Rheumatologist advised me to chew sugar free gum and I have found that the best thing to keep my mouth moist and fresh. I chew a really hot peppermint one, and can always feel my mother over my shoulder saying "nice young ladies don't chew chewing gum"! Well this 64 year old does!! So lots of packets of that on my shopping list each week. Take care and good luck with an early Rh. appointment. This is what I posted on a sjogrens forum -
I know you can't diagnose me, but give me your opinions if I could have Sjogrens please.....
For a number of years I have suffered from dry/gritty eye - painful. I have to "catch" it in time with eye drops, otherwise it becomes unbearable. Have had quite a few infections because my eye gets so dry (usually only occurs in the left eye). I do have hashimotos thyroiditis. One of my grandparents had severe rheumatoid arthritis. Every morning I wake up, my mouth is so dry it feels like a desert. I also have gerd (esophageal reflux) for many years. I was diagnosed with eczema about 2 years ago, never had a problem with it prior to that. I was also recently prescribed nuvigil due to excessive daytime sleepiness.
My final straw is I just went to the dentist and I have more cavities than I have had in my whole life. I take excellent care of my teeth as they are very important to me - I don't know what is going on!

Hi again Mojo - it's a confusing roller coaster,all around the place, but the lack of saliva certainly doesn't help with cavity prevention. Biotene mouthwash and artificial salivas can also be helpful, but the sugar free gum works best for me. Much cheaper too!! but each person responds differently to treatments, medications etc. and sometimes what works for one person doesn't work for another. With an auto immune system disorder, there is always something new popping up it's little head - so please keep posting and I'm sure you will get lots of support and tips, and especially maybe start writing down a list of things that you might like to ask your Rheumy when you get there. Really helpful to keep a diary of the things that are happening for you, and perhaps a pain scale 1-10?? Take it with you to your visit! Note down everything even if it seems not related - its always hard to remember it all when you are sitting there in the surgery. My guy actually asked me to do that! It's good to look back on to compare "now" and "then" as well. I'm really glad that you are posting what is happening for you, and expressing your frustration. That's healthy - and what the forum is for! We've all been there, and recognise exactly where you are coming from. I am ever grateful for the support that I received on this forum in the early days. And what I learnt about how RA can tip your life upside down, and mainly that I wasn't the only one, and I wasn't alone!! God Bless

Kiwilass22010-06-03 17:36:51Started medrol dosepack today, and while I am not perfectly better, I can now slightly move my arm, very slightly, but definite improvement. I am also not in the constant agonizing pain - I have never experienced anything like that in my life.

Thank you everyone
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