Arthritis in both shoulders and neck

Esspree
I cannot take hrt as I had her2 positive breast cancer which was oestrogen fed basically. I have been taking oestrogen blockers for over 4 years and will be so pleased when I can stop them next March.

Iam64
Please can you explain what you mean by disease modifiers

I’ve never done a complete detox - maybe I will

I cut out the veg called nightshades, potato, tomato, dairy etc. over several weeks. No change. What did Make a huge difference was taking disease modifiers. I went from struggling down stairs, a step at s time, to happily walking 3 miles within 4 weeks.
It nudged me to deciding quality not quantity of life was the choice for me

Iam64

It’s good to hear your arthritic pain is helped by diet.
My rheumatology consultant supported my efforts on dietary changes. Her view, which I now support, was it’s too simplistic to say tomatoes for example, cause inflammation because our bodies all respond differently to food/drugs.
I have inflammatory arthritis, several auto immune conditions all related to the psoriatic/rheumatoid arthritis. It also leaves people more prone to osteoporosis / osteoarthritis, which I have in numerous joints.
My consultant advises her patients that aggressive disease needs aggressive treatments. She has never had a patient in a wheelchair and hopes that never happens. At 43 I could walk very slowly, very short distances. I came downstairs one step at a time. I was finally diagnosed after a good GP referred mt to the consultant rheumatologist. 30 years later, stairs no problem, walk my dogs 3 miles and whilst not pain free I’m not disabled

How did you work out what to eat/ not eat? Did you do an elimination diet? I did a complete detox years ago and felt great: I think I even avoided tea and coffee for a while. ( not sure how I managed that, I can happily not eat but I need my cup of tea).I felt great but then slipped back into eating badly again.

I am surprised that nobody has commented on the protective effect of oestrogen. If you are within 10 years of menopause it would be well worth your while researching the benefits of HRT.

Thank you everyone

I use one of those magnetic bands around my neck when the pain is bad. It makes it slightly warm which helps a little.

With severe arthritis more or less everywhere I find heat from a wrapped water bottle, wheat pack, a heated throw or standing under a hot shower eases pain. Stretching exercises taught by a physio give some respite as does regular movement of any kind. For my neck and shoulder I sit with either a long hot water bottle or a long wheat pack across my shoulders and generally relax. Tight muscles make the pain worse. Hope your GP was helpful madwoman. A referral to a rheumatologist or a pain clinic could be helpful. If you can manage it a session with a private physio could help such a lot. Good luck. I understand how debilitating chronic pain is.

It’s good to hear your arthritic pain is helped by diet.
My rheumatology consultant supported my efforts on dietary changes. Her view, which I now support, was it’s too simplistic to say tomatoes for example, cause inflammation because our bodies all respond differently to food/drugs.
I have inflammatory arthritis, several auto immune conditions all related to the psoriatic/rheumatoid arthritis. It also leaves people more prone to osteoporosis / osteoarthritis, which I have in numerous joints.
My consultant advises her patients that aggressive disease needs aggressive treatments. She has never had a patient in a wheelchair and hopes that never happens. At 43 I could walk very slowly, very short distances. I came downstairs one step at a time. I was finally diagnosed after a good GP referred mt to the consultant rheumatologist. 30 years later, stairs no problem, walk my dogs 3 miles and whilst not pain free I’m not disabled

Iam64

halfpint1

Making changes to your diet is the best way to combat arthritus.
Raw tomatoes are a known culprit
But every one seems to avoid talking about food as a cause.

I tried to manage my arthritis by diet. Some foods irritate but it’s simplistic and inaccurate to say this aggressive disease can be cured by avoiding tomato’s

I didn't say changes to diet would 'cure' but it would certainly
help and its not inaccurate. It is very simple to look into
which foods have a direct effect on arthritic pain , tomatoes
being one of them.
I watched my Mother sink under the pain, hands, knees, shoulders, eventually a wheelchair, then bladder infections,
too many anti biotics and eventually the common cold got her,
she had no immune system to fight it. 81 years old and 20
of them in misery of arthritic pain. She regularly saw the
Doctor and was prescribed Ibofun, never discussed her
diet.
When my hands started I looked for alternatives and now
manage my diet to keep the pain and deteriation away, it
is possible. There is so much new evidence to support diet
as a preventative.
There are many methods for helping the pain but why not
look for the source, it isn't a disease you catch it comes from
within.

You could try a tens machine, although it could be a bit awkward with your neck, but sometimes helping one area can ease another. Also I swear by heat pads, both of these have helped with my back problems.

I can't take anti inflamitries either due to reflux and IBS.

I have an electric blanket that has been life changing.

halfpint1

Making changes to your diet is the best way to combat arthritus.
Raw tomatoes are a known culprit
But every one seems to avoid talking about food as a cause.

I tried to manage my arthritis by diet. Some foods irritate but it’s simplistic and inaccurate to say this aggressive disease can be cured by avoiding tomato’s

It helps to get a firm diagnosis of what is causing the pain in the neck and shoulders. The rheumatology physio at a local hospital gave me useful exercises for the neck, I'm told that the Alexander technique works for some. When my shoulder became unbearable, an x-ray showed bone spurs which only surgery could rectify. And it worked. 16 years and it's still in good working order. For other issues, my GP has given me steroid injections - only a temporary respite, but I'd opt for those again. Anti-inflammatories are a complete NOfor me.

Making changes to your diet is the best way to combat arthritus.
Raw tomatoes are a known culprit
But every one seems to avoid talking about food as a cause.

I've been taking co-codamol since 1998, I think.For the previous twenty years I took co-proxamol. Both for chronic arthritis since my twenties. They can both be constipating but I have found that a diet high in green veg and pulses means I haven't needed laxatives. Fruit also helps and I kid myself that chocolate does too.

Good luck!

I have arthritis, particularly affecting my neck, shoulders and lumbar region. This causes restricted movement and pain. I have just had four Osteopathy treatments - one a week - but am not sure that I’m feeling the benefit. My therapist has suggested a few exercises, which should increase movement in my neck. I am considering going back to a Yoga class as I believe stretching and being aware of posture is important in alleviating the discomfort of this condition.

I take co-codamol regularly, also eat salad most days and fruit with my breakfast. I have an ostomy bag so keeping 'regular' is very important to me. Never had any problems regarding Co-codamol.

I have a wonderful Riser/Recliner chair which has four motors - one to raise/lower legs, etc, one for reclining and the other two govern cushions at my neck and at my liumbar region. This has been such a great help with my arthritus in neck, spine, shoulders, etc. etc. I wear wrist braces every night in bed to help my hands and thumbs,.

I have something similar to this, which might give you some relief.
heated shoulder pad

I too have arthritis and find that stretching exercises in the morning are such a help, also hot baths or showers and the lavender warming bags too. Definitely keep moving as much as you can.Only sit for short amounts of time.

It is very expensive, though and I know people that have used it who have said it didn’t work for them. I did read that it started out as a carrier but they found it was effective just used n it’s own. I know you shouldn’t mix drugs but I’ve tried putting it on my knee and then rubbing some ibuprofen gel on top of it. I’m not recommending that, though, as I know I shouldn’t do it! I always used to swear by Voltarol but it did nothing for my knee when I had a recent flare up.

Physio can give very helpful isometric stretches. I found these the best for shoulders and I have severe shoulder arthritis but didn’t want joint replacement as yet. Surgery for this is getting much better though so it could be an option - select your surgeon carefully from the NHS website. Unless you are a private patient. TENS units are also good but don’t place the pads on the sides of your neck. Heat is better than ice or alternate ice and heat. I find the humble paracetamol works well for me. Massage is delightful and can loosen up tightness.

There is a newish product on the market called FlexiSEQ it is drug free pain relief and works by making the joint accept moisture from the gel, two friends have separately recommended that last being a nurse so hubby and I are both trying it , it does seem to be working, although we are not totally pain free but it is manageable. Avail from pharmacy and Amazon . There are two types and one says for Osteo Arthritis.

Judy54

I have found my Osteopath most helpful with my arthritic neck and shoulder problems. If you have one near by then it may be worth a visit.

Yes, the osteopath helps a lot with my (arthritic) neck problem - also have treated myself to My Pillow, and it's wonderful!

I’ve started to wear a thumb brace at night because I find that my sleeping position affects my arthritis. I have a Shakti mat that I sleep on sometimes. I know it’s like lying on a bed of nails but it increases blood flow to the area and I find it very relaxing. I would imagine a good pillow would help with shoulder and neck pain. My knee gets really bad if I sleep in an odd position, too. I take turmeric in the form of golden paste as well. And I might try cannabis oil as well ( but it’s a bit expensive).