Shoulder pain, limited movement and swelling- help please!

Hi, I am currently being tested for an autoimmune disorder, I do not have a diagnosis yet. However, I was just wondering if anyone had experienced shoulder pain and swelling? I have been experiencing pain in my right shoulder and swelling around the joint. I have limited movement where it feels lik my shoulder is catching on something. I also have slight swelling and pain in my upper arm muscle too.The shoulder is also alot higher than the left one now and I have not had any trauma or falls to cause this. Its very painful and limits what I can do- and I am sick of being told to take anti-inflammatories- they haven't worked! This has been going on for over a year now- it used to come and go every 6 weeks or so but for the past 2 months it has been constant. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this? I also have very painful wrists and fingers in both arms with weakness and my hands go white and numb with cold. I understand what these things could mean but the shoulder pain is definitely the worse and it doesn't seem to fit with what anyone else has. Please let me know, Thanks,

Welcome! I am sorry you are having so much pain. I have noticed pain and swelling in my shoulder joints, but it is usually both at once. Causes restricted movement and an "achy" feeling deep inside the joint. Yours sounds different in that one is so much worse than the other.
I know the waiting for dx is so frustrating! Maybe one of those heat wrap things will help? I am sure others will chime in with more answers, but I did want to welcome you!

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Take care,
Fran

Dx: Lupus, sjogren's, celiac, severe allergies.

Daily Meds: Plaquenil, Zyrtec. Aciphex, Nasacort, Prozac, Ambien CR, CellCept

Daily Supplements: Calcium, B-100 Complex, Daily Vitamins.
As Needed Meds: Epinephrine, Benadryl, Proventil, Xopenex, Tylenal, Darvocet, Prednisone.

I had shoulder pains before, and one time was caused by frozen shoulder and another time was a bacteria got into it. I am wondering if you have checked if it's caused by frozen shoulder, which would definitely limit the movement and caused pain and stiffness. If it is frozen shoulder, the treatment I received was only anti-inflammatory drug and some physical therapy. However, it will go away on its own. Mine was in pain for few months and then went away. I don't think the pain you described is caused by a bacteria, like I had before. It would accompany with high fever and the pain should be unbearable.

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DX SLE 1988; APS (Antiphospholipid Syndrome) Pred 7mg, Verapmil 40 mg bd (for migraine headaches), Cellcept 2000 mg;Omerprazole 40 mg; Warfarin; Calcium + Vitamin D 1200mg, Folic Acid 5 mg; Simvastin; pregablin 75 mg

Hi lynny, I have and still have shoulder pain in my right shoulder mostly. It felt exactly the way you describe it. catches on something. Very hot, sore, and frustrating. I was dx with fibro and rhuemitoid arthritis. I believe my doc said that was arthritis in my shoulder. Although my hip feels the same and he said that may be bursitis. So it is some kind of itis. (inflamation) OH, I am on Prednisone, since then the pain is much better. Too bad it's not good for the bones.

Good luck with your dx. Hope it's nothing too serious. Laura

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Cervical spine surgery 2004, C-section 1986, Cholecystectomy 1999, Thoracic and Lumbar injury 2000. Anxiety/depression 2008. Fibromyalgia 2009, Thyroidectomy 2008. Degenerative disc disease. IBS. Asthma, Rheumitoid Arthritis, Sacroillitis, Scolylosis, disc bulge in L5/S1.possible ankylosing spondylitis. Meds: Lisinophil, xoponex, symbocort, pulmocort, troponal, vitamin 2000 D, Vitamin B complex, Hydrocodone, Tylonal Arthritis, Cymbalta.prednisone and Lyrica

lynny, from what I understand from a family member inflammation can actually push the shoulder out of joint slightly which makes the pain much worse. Have they done xrays on your shoulder yet? if not ask for one to verify it isn't something seriously wrong that could be fixed manually and ask for antiinflammatories for pain. Ice might help if inflammation is the problem. Also have you tried resting the arm via a sling for a few days? Just a thought. I would definately ask about possible dislocation if the position is different than the not hurting one. Dislocation can be very painful from what I hear. Wouldn't know personally though. Understand I am not a medical professional and I strongly suggest seeing one even if it has to be the ER for treatment of the pain so no damage is done that is irreversable.

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Dx:fibromyalgia 2002, systematic lupus 2005- definate CNS involvement dxed late 2005, psoriasis 2006, rheumatoid arthritis 2006, PTSD 2007, multiple allergies 2005, migraine, compression fractures T11 & T12, Sjögren's, damaged periphrial nerves 2007, exema
Tx: plaquenil, Enbrel, Tramadol, Singulair, Skelaxin, Baby Asprin, Imuran, Prilosec, lasix, Evoxac, Celebrex, Darvocet when things get too bad, prednisone again, various vitamin/mineral supplements, cozar