Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group shoulder pain

Well i guess its moving around most of my pain has always been lower back. but for the last couple of weeks i wake up and my shoulders are killing me and back as normal is hurting after moving around back pain slowly gets manageable but the shoulders still hurt like *&^**%%$ next rheumy appt not till april. But i guess if it gets worse i'll give her a call. So do any of you have problems in your shoulders?

I have discomfort in my left shoulder, which apparently a slightly-torn rotator cuff. Same as you, it's most prevalent in the morning. Severity depends on how I "sleep on it."

Hope yours gets better.

Yea, Just started a couple of months ago. Both shoulders crunch when i move them. My arms go numb and my left hand last two fingers stay numb all the time. My Rhuemy doesnt seem to be too concerned but she seems that way about everything. Just found out it has started messing with my guitar playing. Hoping to be able to Fish....that would be a killer if i lose that. My GP seems to think when i get on the Humira i may get back the things im starting to lose. Hopefully soon. Wish i had some good advise rather then just sympathy.

Sorry, Reese

Yes, shoulder problems are prevelant with AS. AS causes imflamation in tendons and ligements which are the support system around your joints, joining bones to bones and muscles to bones. When they are imflammed, it causes pain as well as weaknes in those connective tissues. There are many articles out there to help you learn more about it. I have had ligaments and tendons tear in my shoulders ankles and knees because of this. I would call your Rhuemy for an earlier appointment or talk to an Ortho guy. Many Orthopedic surgeons won't treat AS patients because of complications from post of imflammation so make sure you are on an imflamatory med for a while if you are not already.
Cindy

Shoulder pain is miserable. It was my first symptom (I have RA, not AS) and has continued to be the worst symptom. I have limited range of motion in my shoulders and arms, particularly the right shoulder. Even when the rest of my joint pains had improved, my right shoulder only improved slightly. Miserably painful. Have to sleep on my back because of it.

Hi, sooner:

Not anymore.

But I had severe bursitis in each shoulder at different times, my right shoulder developed adhesive capsulitis and both shoulders frozen. Then and thereafter, for years I could not raise my right hand more than a few inches above my head.

The surest way for those of us with AS to become disappointed is to put any faith at all in doctor visits! Eventually I realized the doctors had not given me AS and were totally clueless about this disease, but did that have to mean that there was an even chance of them making me worse instead of better? Well, I lost that one...

I was in remission through fasting and apple diet and began thinking I would work out again and so I made a protein shake and sure enough I had terrible shoulder flare up again, then looked over the ingredients: "Soya bean Isolate." Just after I learned about NSD, so I tested it and it was of course quite starchy.

Good Luck,
John

Left shoulder or if that's what one would call what's left of the joint that issupposed ot be there is fused. Doesn't extend up past my lower ribs. RIght shoulder has limited ROM.

Pulley system I have works the right and keeps it moving. Swimming, which I didn't persist would have been a good choice to help.

Yep my right shoulder and neck involvement actually began my journey to my diagnosis of AS.

Sooner - Yes, shoulders over here. Left shoulder is a hemiarthroplasty, 4yrs ago now - I think! Lousy surgery. Was in a hell of a state after it. Surgeon made a hash. Had to go back in, different surgeon/hospital. Arthroscopy, SAD/ACJ. Worked, sort of, in spite of his leaving behind debris and causing a stitch neuroma. Coping quite well with it now.

Right shoulder. Rotator cuff tear. At 'near critical point'. First ultrasound surgeon didn't quite 'seem' to know what he was about...dunno, but passing strange. Still with much discomfort and pain problems, a few months later went for another ultrasound, where the tear is showing up very clearly. My Prof rheumy here in France has seen the scans, does not want me to do owt about it at the moment. Treating it in a conservative fashion.

Yes. Shoulder problems are pretty much a norm with AS. Whatever you do, do NOT get cortisone shots into the shoulders. The cortisone burns out the ligaments/tendone, makes matters much worse. Then IF one has to have surgery, the surgeon is faced with a tendon problem! Hyaluronic acid is the preferred injection over cortisone. But, anaother 'but': under ultrasound guided needle. As even in the hands of the most experienced surgeon, upper limb, doing it sans ultrasound, can well get it wrong.

Refer you to an excellent web of information - would opine the best available surce of information on shoulders out there: www.shoulderdoc.co.uk Site also covers elbows, but the shoulders are the forte of the site. Complete up-to-date information. This should be a rference bible of *every person suffering with AS,RA, etc etc.

i have an issue with my left "shoulder" at times. starts in my rhomboid area, whole thing becomes involved. can feel impingement in my rotator cuff. can feel pain in my shoulder bursa. i have an ice pack that drapes over the shoulder area that i use a lot (colpac brand). for me, don't think its really the shoulder joint itself, but soft tissue (muscles, tendons) in the area.