This isn't normal, is it? Any clue as to what it is (please)?

[mineofuselessinformation]

Apologies for the length of this - I didn't want to drip feed, and would really appreciate any thoughts.
I've already got a thread related to this (the kinesiology tape one), but I'm worrying about this....
I used shears at the weekend and had to hammer a ground spike (for a whirly line) in. There was no pain at the time, but my shoulder got increasingly sore OK agonising and I haven't been able to raise my arm above my head or put it behind my back since then.
I've seen a dr today (they insisted, I only called for advice), and he said very little except that it wasn't the joint, to keep it gently moving and that now that the pain is under control, to leave it and wait until I see a rheumatologist (already referred before this happened).
This has happened before to a lesser extent in the past, but this is the worst I've ever been affected. I'm seeing the rheumatologist because I have other symptoms which has made my gp think I don't have straightforward arthritis as previously thought.
It's really frightening me that I can't do something as simple as trim a small plant with shears, or paint a wall without having severe pain and stiffness afterwards.
What could it be?

[mineofuselessinformation]

Or is this normal for arthritis???

[mineofuselessinformation]

Lonely last bump for the night...

[Wayfarersonbaby]

How long were you hammering? Could it be RSI? I have it and it's surprising how much muscle damage repetitive actions can do in a short time, especially if you already have underlying joint problems. If the muscle swells, it can put pressure on a nerve thus causing more pain.

[Wayfarersonbaby]

Oh and you say you have had similar problems in the past - once you have tissue and nerve damage from RSI, it can be triggered again really quickly (half an hour of unwise computer use can do it for me and then I've got burning nerve pain down my arm for days!)

[mineofuselessinformation]

Around 40 mins with breaks (the ground was very hard).
I was told a previous problem was RSI (holding a paint roller so my knuckles swelled up) - how do I know the difference between what is normal and what isn't? I can't do gardening like simple weeding without setting a timer for 20 mins without my back screaming at me.
Sorry to sound dramatic, but that's how bad it is....

[mineofuselessinformation]

The nerve pain rings a bell by the way. Even turning the key in my car hurt today.

[Wayfarersonbaby]

Crikey 40 mins is a long time to be bashing at something! It sounds like you've really aggravated the muscle and it'll probably be stiff and painful while it recovers. Do you say you've got arthritis but with some odd symptoms? I have hypermobility syndrome and general joint issues which mean my back and neck are much weaker than most people's, and I generally find it's easy to overdo things really quickly. You should be taking a break from anything every 20 minutes or so, I think, especially a repetitive action. Have you any painkillers that help, can you take mild NSAIDs like ibuprofen? (I know not everyone can...)

[mineofuselessinformation]

Ok, well, I'll take that on board! It's just frustrating not being able to do things in one go.... (And I don't have anyone to do it for me.)
Funnily enough, I'm hypermobile too - I need someone to take me aside and give me The Idiot's Guide To Dodgy Joints don't I?

[jalopy]

Frozen shoulder?