Hi RCross, I'm so sorry for your shoulder pain - that has got to be awful! : (

I am by NO means an RA "expert" - but I've heard and read in many cases that RA is NOT always symmetrical.

I'm so glad you have a doc appt -- do keep us posted! I hope you get some relief very soon!

I'm not one to want something to be wrong with me....but I'm sort of hoping that it's something like a rotator cuff issue because it's "fixable." Is that horrible of me? My shoulder is the only joint that hasn't improved with MTX and I think it's actually worsened. Though it's probably not any worse I just focus on it more since the other joints aren't hurting as much.

Even on two rounds of prednisone it didn't improve. Really hope it's not RA related and I have to live with this pain! I'll be needing something to dress me and wash my hair if this keeps up!

Good Luck on Tuesday RCross. I hope you get the news you want.
Peace
Bluedogs2

RCross that is absolutely NOT "horrible" and it is totally understandable that you want it to be something that can be "fixed."

RA pain, when not helped by meds, is the most frustrating thing ever, b/c it can't really be "fixed."

Your hopes are normal - and I agree with you. Hope you get the answers you need on Tuesday!

Hi RCross,
Firstly, it certainly isn't horrible of you to hope your shoulder pain is not RA and can be fixed. I so know exactly what you mean.
RA isn't always symmetrical. I often have had it on one side and not the other.
If your shoulder pain didn't improve with two rounds of Prednisone, it may not be from RA at all.
I hope all goes well with your ortho apt on Tuesday.

I have had Osteoarthritis for about 20 years, - primarily in my shoulders, neck, and bursitis that pops in to say hi now and then. I have had some really bad shoulder pain - could not move my arm, and really hurt. The orthopedist diagnosed it as a rotator cuff. Did some physical therapy that helped, took Celebrex, and got a shot right in the shoulder, which was not a pleasant experience, but it did help. The rotator cuff problems come up every now and then. The physical therapy is a great help.

I just had a flare in my right shoulder only. I have, in the past, had similar flares in the left shoulder. I've never, thankfully, had flares in both at the same time.

It just seems to complicate figuring out what is what, when we seem to often not follow the "rules".

I do understand your hope that something "fixable" can be blamed. We can keep our fingers crossed that this is the case.

Nothing I've had has been symmetrical. Right hand left knee sometimes left wrist; go figure! Could it be busitis; I've had that and it is "disable". Good luck tomorrow. Trish

I did have a problem with my shoulder for nearly a year, it was nerve damage to my spine C4/C5, due to RA. My doctor suggested surgery but I would not agree to back surgery...and eventually it went away. hot pads, lots of bengay, and what I call 'happy pills' i.e. hydrocodone. it comes back every once in a while, very painful & I can barely move my left arm...but at least I know what it is, and that it will go away.

Have you checked for SLE? I have both SLE and RA, plus something called 'migrating arthritis'.

Over time I have learned, by level of pain and length of pain, which autoimmune disease is bothering me. (my pain is not symmetrical)
If I have a flare up I give it several days, maybe a week before considering seeing a doctor. Usually I will be out of commission for at least a week. I force myself to stay in bed, and relax .

Thanks for all the feedback!

Saw the Ortho today....and he believes it's a rotator cuff issue. BUT...can't rule out bursitis or synovial issues. Ugh. Going for an MRI later this week and then a follow up with the ortho.

Good luck Rcross - keep us posted!

Zaro, that is very interesting. My doctor has always said my RA has some lupus mixed in (her actual words were "I just get a whiff of lupus here"- she's a funny one). But i've never really investigated whether or not I truly have lups, because my doc said she wold orobably recommend the meds I'm already on anyway. If you felt like it was our SLE vs. your RA acting up, would you treat it differently?

My left shoulder is where this whole journey began for me. To make what turned out to be a very long story short - with multiple dx from multiple Drs - it turned out I have a spur that pushes into a tendon that is made excruciatingly painful during a flare. The swelling in the joint pushes the tension into the spur and it is nearly impossible to move my arm. Even keeping it immobile it will nearly drive me to tears

Unfortunately through the years many of us damage our joints a lot more than we know and I think RA just bring it to light. Hope your appt goes well and you can figure out what is going on.

Rcross, sorry about the rotator cuff problem. I have had 3 rotator cuff surgeries and now need both shoulders replaced. I know the pain you're going through, I also have trouble recognizing RA pain from other joint issues. After your mri, if you have questions re recovery, I'll be happy to answer them.

Markus, I think you hit the nail on the head. All that joint damage being done before we really even knew what was happening - our bodies take so much punishment without complaint I think....then we get RA, and flare - and.....YOWZA!