I'm only thinking of it because my mom had it several years ago when I still lived at home and I remember that it was in her shoulder area. She was in excruciating pain and I had to take her to the ER.

I've been having increasing pain in my right shoulder mainly, sometimes top of the shoulder, that lightly radiates down my arm into my elbow. It's been happening for weeks (probably a month) and it's not a pulled muscle. I've stopped doing any arm weights since I started feeling it. I tried for the first time today and it was NOT GOOD! I stopped after 3 reps. I researched a little on bursitis, and it could be that. What else could it be?

I feel like I'm falling apart. A few months ago it was my left sacrum iliac(sp?) which needed PT (me baby-carrying side) and now my right shoulder/arm (bag carrying side).

If you've had bursitis, does it sound similar to this? What was your treatment? TIA

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - 10:01 pm:

Deanna, it could be any number of things. You need to see your doctor and probably get a referral to a good orthopedic doctor.

A few years ago I had pain in my left shoulder, which began radiating down my arm, all the way to my wrist and hand. I went to the hand specialist who had done surgery on my other wrist several years earlier, and he said it wasn't my wrist or hand and told me to see my orthopedic doctor. My orthopedic doctor quite accurately diagnosed arthritis in vertebrae in my neck and sent me for physical therapy - which worked. Now when I start having pain in my shoulder, I simply do the exercises I was taught, and in a week or two it goes away. Of course, if I did the exercises every day, as I should, I might never have the pain in the first place.

Or, it could be something else entirely. But you won't know until you get a diagnosis.

Bursitis is an inflammation of the tissue which protects joints. I have bursitis in my left hip sometimes. My mom had it in her elbow. BUT, you could have tendonitis, or something called impingement syndrome, or a rotator cuff problem. Here is a link to an about.com article about shoulder problems: shoulder

None of which is helpful until you get a good diagnosis. In the meantime, if it were me, I'd stop doing exercises and things that hurt, as that can just exacerbate the problem. I'd take anti-inflammatories - good old aspirin (coated) or Motrin, and definitely with food to avoid stomach problems. And heat on the painful area - moist heat is better - a couple of times a day. And get yourself to a good orthopedic doctor, preferably one who prefers to try conservative treatment before recommending anything drastic.

By Nicki on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - 11:19 pm:

I've had the same type of pain you describe, Deanna. At first it seemed it was my shoulder, but eventually I found out it is a bone spur on the vertebrae in my neck. Physically therapy helped a lot. My pain was also exasperated by stress, being it involved the neck and shoulders. So, medication to help with anxiety has also been very helpful to me.
I'm sorry you are in pain. For me, this pain down my arm was some of the worst pain I've ever experienced. Is it chronic? I hope you are able to get some relief.
I know what you mean about feeling like you are falling apart. You are not alone. Since having Lara, I seem to be doing the same! My neck now has arthritis, and due to poor posture carrying little Lara, I have a bump at the base of my neck on my spine. I have returned to therapy in an effort to feel better and get rid of that bump!
I hope you're feeling better soon and get the answers you need.