am I just panicking?

hey. I have been feeling great. but lately one of my shoulders has been bothering me, so of course I am freaking out that I am getting arthritis from UC. But the thing is that bad shoulders run in my family genetically, so much so in fact that one of my sisters used to be a serious cyclist and had to quit because cycling constantly popped her shoulder out of the socket. and I swim a lot, and was swimming even more in the fall to try to stay sane when I was on prednisone, so I work my shoulders pretty hard, so the rational part of me knows that a few weeks off swimming will likely fix this. but, because I am still adjusting to having this disease, I always assume that the tiniest problem is UC. I know rationally that I should just stop swimming, take a few breaths, and relax, but especially after reading the posts on here about joint pains I am totally worries. so, I guess I was just hoping for some words of encouragement, to remind me that even though we all have UC we can also be normal people with normal health problems also. thanks for any pleasant, calming thoughts..... :) ... I am such a freak about my health!

I have bursitis in both shoulders and it comes and goes. It usually bugs me when it gets really cold out... I can always tell when it's going to snow : ) It also bugs me when I over do yardwork, etc.

If it really bugs you, get it checked it. That way you don't have to worry needlessly.

I'm not sure if UC'ers experience more pain or if we are just more fine tuned to notice it more due to the UC.

What would you do if you had pain and didn't have UC?

I think you are freaking out.  I put myslef through college on a swimming scholarship and I still have trouble with my shoulder.  Last year went back to the sports med dr and got some therapy exercises.  If I start hurting again, I just do the exercises.  It may be worth your time to see a PT. 

Also, I know how you feel.....I think this disease has made me so much more aware of my body to the point that I now feel like a hypocondriac.  But, I really do think it is just an overuse problem, and it will clear up with a little rest, and possibly some strength exercises.