Shoulder Pain

pariss14

I’ve been in a flare up for almost a year now but have only had my knees affected and minimal fluid so my Doctor has been happy for me to stay of medication (I was struggling with injections) but within the past week or so i’ve started getting pain in the front of my left shoulder, there’s no swelling as far as i’m aware but im struggling to turn my head and lift my arms. Could this be another joint being affected?

Naomi33

Morning @pariss14 and welcome to the online community.

Sorry to hear your concerns about pain in your shoulders.

I would suggest if you have not contact your doctor or consultant and tell them about your concerns and get tested.

The following links maybe of interest to……

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-elbow-and-shoulder/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-shoulders/

Keep posting and I am sure others will connect with you soon.

Best wishes @Naomi33

helpline_team

Hi @pariss14

Thanks for posting on the Helpline Online Community and sorry to hear you've been experiencing a flare up for so long and have additional symptoms in your shoulder and difficulty turning your head. You don't mention your diagnosis, however, I am assuming from the situation you are describing, (and tagging JIA), that you are under a Rheumatologist and the medication you mention may be an injectable form of a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)? Please correct me if this assumption is incorrect.

As @Naomi33 suggests, it would be wise to contact your health professional (eg. Rheumatologist) to update them on your new symptoms for further advice. There can be many reasons for the symptoms you are experiencing, but it's really important to keep your health professional in the loop with any new developments, so that they can review the situation in relation to your diagnosis. It could be worthwhile making a note of how your symptoms have changed since your last consultation to help you explain this to them, but I would encourage you to contact them sooner rather than later.

You may find the following pages on our website helpful to look at:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/shoulder-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2023/january/what-is-a-pain-diary-and-how-do-i-start-one/

We also have lots of support available for young people with JIA you can reach out to if this is relevant for you.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Helen, Helpline Advisor