Please tell me where you have shoulder pain when you have a flare? Mine is in my shoulder blades. Is it the same for everyone? I posted a different post about the same subject matter but I am feeling like I need to have diffent information on the same subject. Thanks for your help! Susan Lee
Mine is complicated. Initially it was right at the shoulder joint. Occassionally, I will feel pain at the shoulder blad. As I said, they found a bone cyst, a bone spur and tendonitis. The pain goes down my arm and into my hand. I have the same kind of pain starting now in my right shoulder. I went through PT, but the only thing that it helped was keeping my shoulder from becoming frozen.
They used ultrasound, a TENS unit and exercises. They did make things better, but I've lost range of motion.
Here's where it gets complicated. I was also having bad headaches, neck pain and pain down my upper spine. So, they did xrays and found C6 cervical spine OA.
The point it that shoulder pain can be referred pain from other conditions, including sometimes the heart. Mine was not caused by just one thing. I also have FM which further complicates it.
That's why I'm pushing for them to work you up in respect just to your shoulder. What I did is leave a message for the nurse asking for a xray, knowing that the doctor wouldn't leave it at that. You know, the patient shouldn't be ordering their own tests.
They should check both your spine and your shoulders. If nothing is wrong, there's no harm. But they at least can get you started with some ROM exercises that can ease your discomfort and keep you functional.
I don't know if this helps. But essentially anywhere you have a joint or synovial fluid, you can flare there. It is important to investigate any area where you consistently are having pain because damage could be occurring. And, a lot of times, they can do something about it if you let them know soon enough.
Thanks Deanna for you help. My Rheumatologist and my Neurologist are both eager to do an MRI. So it has already been discussed for problems I am having. My problem is the MRI as I have trouble laying flat due to polio breathing problems. So I am going to my lung specialist and re-discussing what I can do to have this test. So I am definately taking care of things. Thanks for caring! Susan LeeI don't think any of us can say for sure, but if it is where I think it is, it really sounds like something other than RA. But I could be very mistaken about that. I was only diagnosed with RA this Feb so I'm not real sure which of my problems are RA and which are OA, but I'm pretty certain that my shoulder blade problem came from the scoliosis and degenerative spine problems I have.
On the other hand, it could be radiating from your shoulder joints, but isn't it deeper into your back, under the shoulder blades? You can see why this is so confusing, huh?
With your neurologist involved too, you should be getting some answers soon.
Best of luck,Sweetie. Hope you find out very soon.
Nini
My shoulder pain is right below the top of my shoulder on my arm and in front below my collar bone
Hope that helps
back part of my shoulder. travels down my arm & back.
gosh, the shoulders are literally the only joints in my body that dont bother me... well except for the tension from my neck problems...dont worry, I am sure I wont be left out for long!BTW...my shoulders do pop alot.
Thanks everyone. The pain has been so excruciating and I just hope it is not some new problem. I hate that it might be RA too but it would be easier to work with one doctor and to have the prednisone help. The prednisone did help when I had this before and the doctor I went to in an ER said even joints in discs can cause RA pain. Well, I have many doctor appointments coming up and we will see. Thanks for all your information! Susan Lee
Susan,
I have had pain in my shoulder blades also. I am a big swimmer so
basically from the repetitive movement it caused some of my tendons to
stretch out. My shoulder blades were not laying close to my
back...you could fit your hand underneath the blades. So I went
to PT for months and finally was able to get it back. When I am
having a flare though the pain gets so bad I cant lift my arms above my
head. You also mentioned that you can not lay down for the
MRI...try the open MRI. That is what I did for my shoulder and I
was able to sit up and watch TV while they did it. It was so much
better in the open machine.
Jen
I should have mentioned some of the things they can do to relieve that pain. Alternating heat and cold, muscle relaxants, ultrasound, TENS unit and physical therapy.
But you really need the MRI.
Thanks Jen, I was told that you had to lay down flat when you take an open MRI too. But I will call a place I heard of that specializes in Open MRI's and I so hope the others were wrong and that you have given me the answer I have been wishing for. I cannot thank you enough! Did you actually sit up straight? That would be wonderful.
And Arizonara and Deanna...thank you so much for answering. Your information was really helpful.
Hope you all have a good night. Susan Lee
I did sit straight up...they put a cuff around the top of my shoulder
and rested my arm on a bar. The place I went to is a big
chain...well here in NY anywhere. It's called Stand-Up MRI.
The only bad part was I had to keep my neck wrenched to one side
because of the cuff on my shoulder but they had a TV on the wall and
they put a movie on for you. It was so much better...I have had
the kind where you lie down and I hated it. I am sure you can
find a stand-up place...they are more and more common.
Good luck!
Triatha-mom...Thank you sooo much for your information on the Stand-up MRI. I did find them in Florida and I am so excited to finally be able to have it done. I have needed it for so long and I had an appointment with another Lung specialist to try to find a way to do this test. Now after reading your message I have great hope we can do this ASAP. I will call them tomorrow. Thanks again! Because you were so kind to write, I now have great hope that we can move forward.
I hope you are having a better evening and that you never have to experience that shoulder pain again. Take care...Susan Lee
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