SHOULDERS

[shirleytx7]

Am at work and in a lot of pain have been having a burning pain across my shoulder blades and it appears to be getting worse. I have had it for just over a week and do not know if it is worth seeing a doctor with the whole HMS thing they tend not to want to do anything. I don't know whether it is posture related or a problem in my neck or something. Does anyone here have experience with a posture brace? The pain is making working (I sit in an office all day) intolerable.

[nemonie]

Have you had a posture/desk assessment at work? This is usually carried out by occupational health, although access to work are the best people to do this.
I get a similar burning sensation across the top of my shoulders when working or sitting at a desk type set up. Often changing the heights of chairs and desks and keyboards can have a huge impact.

[shirleytx7]

I am in Texas and we really do not have anyone to to do assessments in the workplace that I am aware of. I have a fully adjustable chair and keyboard shelf and I have played with it but cannot find any relief.

[gila]

hey shirley
have you tried taking any NSAIDs (anti inflammatories like ibuprofen) ? - I find usually they dont do anything for the pain, but every now and then...they work/make a difference- which I take to mean that 'for once' the pain is due to some inflammation somewhere (which maybe came from an injury some days ago or something not quite sitting right or...) ... worth a try maybe?
xxg

[shirleytx7]

I have been advised not to take NSAIDs due to ulcer type symptoms. But thank you for the reply.

[Neogetz]

Can anyone recommend any gentle exercises to help a shoulder?

Mine went bad after my ribs had been bad for a while, felt like the back back was, and is still, stressing the joint. Shoulder often needs clunking to keep mobility in it, and makes awful grinding noises and vibrations whenever I move it. Other should has been slowly going bad too.

[Lauren]

Try standing sideways on to a wall and pressing your forearm against the wall for seven seconds. Repeat this up to ten times.

[gila]

from my experiences... the most important thing, before you really start exercising shoulders, is to find out/learn if your shoulders are sitting right, where/how your shoulders are supposed to sit-

what I thought was 'normal shoulder position' turned out to be "shoulders more out than in their sockets" and that a.o. had caused previous shoulder exercises to be inefficient and painful

if you look in the mirror and there is a big 'gap/hole' between the collarbone and 'top of shoulder' ... it apparently is likely that your shoulders are 'out of their proper place in socket'-
I had to first learn a "pull shoulder slightly up- push backwards- drop shoulder- see the big gap disappear" maneuver and then learn with which muscles to hold the shoulder in its right place (small ones on and to the side of back- not pecs and trapezoid which was what I was doing)
just a 'cautious' thought
xxg

oh shirley- if you are still around- have you got acid reflux? - meds for acid reflux (like omeprazole/lansoprazole) are also often prescribed to go with longer term nsaids use as they seem to help protect against its ulcer causing effect.

[DeeNJai]

Help not sure what I have done over night. I woke up in a lot of pain in my right shoulder I cant move it so it has meant that I couldnt do my bowel routine as I couldnt get the catheter in. My left shoulder isnt as bad but very painful. I will contact the physio department on monday as i need a follow up appointment. It all could be related to the neck as well as that is also painful at the moment.

Dee

[cracker]

hiya everyone my shoulders like to sublax a lot the last time it happened i was on the computer i turned to quik while i still was holding the mouse. it counks & clinks a lot too. if i putting something on shelfs at the hospital (i volententeer in the shop) i get an achey burny pain in my sholder. i woried about telling my superviser about it. thet know anout my HMS but i think they forget sometimes. i bit worried about telling them it painfull to fill shelf or get stuff from the stockroom incase i loose my job.

my shoulder sometimes like to pop out at nite too.

[adamico88]

i've been having problems with this too...i'm not formally diagnosed with hms yet...my doctor keeps telling me "it's a process of exclusion"...in the meantime i don't know what to do. I keep telling them it keeps getting worse, but sometimes my rheumy acts like it's nothing. It's irritating. I'm afraid to roll over at night because every time I do, I feel like my left shoulder is just going to pop out...and the grinding/cracking is terrible & constant!!! will physio help with this?? ...my doctor wants me to try taking gabapentin (i think it's called) for a while before i start therapy...but i dont if I can wait

[serenity79]

My left shoulder subluxed a few days ago while I was just sitting at the table quietly And my right shoulder clicks every time it moves - feel like I'm just waiting for it to sublux.

[adamico88]

serenity79- my shoulder's click constantly...driving is nearly impossible, it's so annoying. I feel your pain. I actually had a rheumy appt today..and when I stood up my knee cracked sooo loud she just looked at me with these big eyes..i was like "SEE I TOLD YOU" ...whatever is happening is bad, and not normal for a 23 year old ...i don't know if she completely believed me until today when she heard all my cracking. it's terrible...but apparently I still have to wait a few more weeks for physio

[serenity79]

Ooowwww, you poor thing! I crack all over too, a lot of the time it's without pain but just sounds horrible and grosses people out, but the shoulder is sore each time it cracks.

[adamico88]

same here!...my co-workers are always saying oh my gosh was that you?! every time i stand..i try to just laugh it off... i really shouldn't complain because generally, mines without pain too...like you said, sometimes the shoulders will hurt or my neck, occasionally the knee lol... but mine isn't all the time...i feel like so far, i have it much better than most....but, i'm just soooo frustrated with all the waiting with the doctors & trying to get some help :/ ....did you ever try physio for your cracking? I'm wondering if it will help...