Tina, you described RA to a tee. It comes on with no warning or reason. Get used to it and enjoy the times that your joints cooperate with you. This sporatic ain and inflammation will not cease. It may be much improved with the right drugs but it is always going to come back sooner or later.

thanks Bizemomm, I really was beginnging to think something different was wrong with this crazy on and off shoulder pain ! and I dont think my family will ever really understand my pain or depression. I try to just say Oh yea Im just fine. no explanation needed. sometimes thats hard to do when you really just want some comfort and they could understand when Im not able to go on family getaway or even dinner out sometimes ! I had my mri done on my hands friday and still dont understand why they only do the hands ? seems it would make more since to do the areas that hurt most ?? Thank so much Bizemomm !!

Before i had RA I had a cervical herniation from DDD.
My shoulder & arm were the most effected outside my chest area.
It got to the point I could not lift my arm. So if your in doubt it may be worth looking into.

I also developed on top of Arthritis, bursitis & tendonitis. That hit my shoulder & arm also. Very painful. I had shoulder decompression & when the surgeon got in there he found a bone spur also.

For the longest time my neck did not hurt at all. If fact it really did not bother me much til I had surgery.
Very misleading.
I guess you should ask your RA doctor if he or she thinks it could be something else. Follow your instincts & you have nothing to loose by asking questions.
Good luck, Sammy

If my hand hurts, I know the rest will follow. Always know a flare is coming when my right hand hurts. The wrist stays hot, and my thumb then fingers hurt.
Next comes my heels, right now it's the left. Then shoulders and neck. Always my knees.
Mine is more of a gradual pain. I'm doing fine then I notice the stiffness stays longer, I start hurting more and more and can't move or do much for a while. I'm stressed out right now, so I'm flared up. I'm in need of corisone shots, but waiting till it gets closer to my sons wedding, in March.
Your not crazy, they only do the hands,because that is how they can tell how much the damage RA is doing to you. They also do the feet.

Tina, Please understand that in time with proper meds you will be feeling much better. unfortunately it is a crapshot with drugs as each of us reacts to them differently. Also, you have to be on each drug for 10-12 weeks before the doctor will switch you because it can take that long to kick in. Initially I was hung up on the lack of understanding you discussed. Over time you learn that someone who doesn't have RA doesn't get it because it is not visible to them like a broken arm would be. I was diagnosed in 197 and couldn't walk, dress myself or anything. Today I excercise daily and live an almost normal life. Of course the fatigue still gets me down so I have learned to do things early in the day before I zonk out. Listen to your b ody and rest when needed. It is realy giving you all the signals. Good luck and welcome to the club.lol

I also have shoulder pain-- sometimes really awful. I find that a sling takes the weight of the arm off of the joint and the inflammation goes down more quickly. Mine seems to be a combo of RA and bursitis

I have shoulder pain that comes on suddenly, out of the blue. I may just be sitting on the couch or riding in the car. I have learned what to do over the last year. I get out the sling I bought a while back and put my arm in it, and up the prednisone for two or three days until it calms down. It is uncanny...it can be fine one minute and so, so painful the next. I have constant bursitits in both shoulders, bu tI also have an "issue" with my rotator cuff tendon. If it gets worse, you may need to go to PT. I have found that helpful in the past.

Best Wishes,
V