ask: Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis ? That causes unbearable pain .
Do you have rheumatoid arthritis and get flares that make it impossible to move the affected limb due to pain ? I not only have severe RA but four other forms. Sometimes when I get a really bad flare in my shoulder , and hip the pain is so bad I get not move that limb for several days . The pain is so bad I am paralyzed by pain literally . My Rheumy said RA or any of the other forms, RSDS, Fibro, DDD and Osteo would not cause this. However; he never tries to find out what does. This is so frustrating ! This is the second time in two weeks I am unable to move my arm due to this flair. I have a birth injury to my other arm and have very little use of it so it is like having no arms. (My son is typing for me ) I have demanded my rheumy run tests to find the root of this problem and still he has not ordered any tests. When I was first dxed over 24 years ago this problem was what took me to the hosptial in the first place . Any help with this would be great. If you have the same problem please let me know what your doctor says caused this . thank you in advance .
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I am so sorry that you are experiencing pain so severe that it is debilitating. As you know, RA does cause pain, and I am wondering what medications you are currently on to relieve your RA symptoms? What has already been suggested to you--and what are you doing---to relieve the pain (when it is not "unbearable")?
I will provide some more information as far as pain-relieving information that I can find from other women living with RA.
Hope to hear from you soon.
December 6, 2009 - 7:50amThis Comment
I am on mexel , Enbrel , Narco , Lyicia . I can manage most days but the unbearable days nothing seems to do alot of good. I still make my self function but the pain is over the top . I have children so not getting up and doing my daily activies is not an option for me.
December 6, 2009 - 8:02amI do exercise as much as possible which is most days. I use the hot /cold treatments. Spa capsule and a healthly diet .
December 6, 2009 - 8:04amAre you interested in any "complementary and alternative medicine" options, such as acupuncture? This has been one modality that I read about---it is repeatedly being shown as effective in relieving pain.
December 6, 2009 - 9:11amyes, that could be an option I never tried
December 6, 2009 - 10:13amHere is some more information for relieving chronic pain in the CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) realm of treatment options:
- Acupuncture to Treat Chronic Back Pain and More
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): Acupuncture for Pain
- EmpowHer News (2009): Chili Pepper Compound Can Bring Pain Relief
- EmpowHer News (2009): Brazilian Mint Tea Naturally Good Pain Relief
- EmpowHer News (2009): Tai Chi May help ward off knee (and other) pain
Discussion from other women trying to find treatment options for pain management:
- I need Your Help with Pain Management
More Resource for Chronic Pain:
- National Institutes of Health: Chronic Pain
- MedlinePlus: Pain (includes additional resources to American Pain Foundation, and many conventional and alternative treatment options)
If you are interested in trying acupuncture, you can read: How to Select a CAM practitioner, and be sure to let us know if you need any assistance!
December 6, 2009 - 3:58pmthank you so much for your help. As I said I work through the pain 99 % of the time. I even wrote a book how to cook with arthritis. However; that one percent is aweful . Thank you again so much for all of your tips. I will also share with my friends that have arthritis .
December 7, 2009 - 5:05amRheumatoid arthritis is a type of auto immune disorder in which the body cells are attacked by its own immune system and destroyed. The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet known. Experts have suggested certain risk factors like genetic factors and environmental factors like bacterial and viral infections may be linked to the onset of this disease.
February 25, 2011 - 1:13amCauses of Arthritis
My first symptom was unbearable pain in my upper right arm. I actually went to the ER and was diagnosed with a strained muscle. It wasn't until my hand began to swell and cause pain that I was diagnosed with RA. My RA doctor said that joint pain can radiate and cause pain in the attached limbs which is why my upper arm hurt so badly. Honestly I would scream when I had to lift it and I have a very high tolerance to pain. Have they never addressed radiating pain with you? Good luck.
March 28, 2012 - 10:16am