What is the cause of achy pain in the arm and shoulder?

[Travelharmony]

Has anyone experienced aching, stiff arms and shoulders and difficulties putting their bra on? I am having problems reaching back to fasten the hook of my bra. It can be painful when I take it off. I also can’t properly straighten my arm to the right or lift it up high.

I can still write, carry and hold things.

A few months ago, I was diagnosed with golfer's elbow (phone consultations only). I think the physio may have given me the wrong diagnosis. I have read about the symptoms online.

Me too. I went to a chiropractor who did an x ray and gave me treatment. It took a few months but it got sorted

Frozen shoulder. The physio should be able to organise an ultrasound and injection. The sooner it gets done the better the outcome. It can go on for months.

frozen shoulder or rotar cuff.
there may also be an emotional element. for example i split with my bf and then i got that. exercises from physio only. took a year. now im almost back to full strength.

@Travelharmonygood stuff! I bit the bullet and booked a physio session on Monday, so glad I did, feel so much better and I'm going to have a few more sessions. He said my spine was stiff and muscles very tense, he also suggested a foam roller / tennis balls against the wall to alleviate tension.
let's us know how you get on as I'd be interested to know.

Following with interest as have same issues.

Evening all.
Still the same.. still feel uncomfortable, taking paracetamol atm.
Thank goodness I’m home, I don’t have to dress up and wear a bra!

I wish a quick recovery to all those who are still experiencing discomfort and hope you feel 100% better.
For others in the same boat as me, I hope we find the cause of our health condition/issues and receive the right treatment. Let's heal quickly together on our healing journey x.

I hope I haven’t missed anyone's comments. My eyes have been getting a bit dry and tired, and my focus is not that great. Sorry.

I will pop back here on Monday.

I will ask about the ultrasound and the injection. x

I know so many people have said frozen shoulder but that is exactly how mine started ..x 2 .
First time ,gradual loss of movement and increased pain until every step ,jolt ,movement was unbearable but being still was fine and it followed the natural cycle and fixed itself in about 18 months .
2nd time -other shoulder .Recognised what it was so tried to get in early with physio .Didn't ease it .Pain changed -much more nerve based .Had steroid injections -no impact .Ended up having surgery after a year .Rough couple of weeks after but absolutely transformative now .
Only commonality between both is the different physio s involved both called it the ‘50 year old disease ‘ (charming ) and felt it was linked very much to changing hormone levels .
However it plays out ,try and keep it moving as best you can but don’t push it .Heat and Ice are good and don’t hold back in asking for next steps support .

I would recommend pushing your GP to refer you for a scan so you can be sure you have the right diagnosis. Mine was originally diagnosed as a rotator cuff injury but the physio did not solve it, but post scan it turned out to be a frozen shoulder and I had a Manipulation Under Anaesthetic to get it moving again which worked perfectly. Plus exercises and more physio afterwards.

Definitely can be a menopause symptom, achy joints and muscles can also be related to statins.

I’ve had this for a few days, not agony just annoying and tricky to reach round my back. I’ve had to make DH swap sides with me in bed so that I am not laying on that side but also not facing his hot breath 😱. Also had a hot prickly feeling in my elbow on and off, but it isn’t getting any worse.

Frozen shoulder
Rotator Cuff Injury
Arthritis of shoulder bones

I had x-ray and have arthritis of shoulder bones, now had an ultrasound scan to see if I also have Rotator Cuff Injury. The pain is awful and I had to get bras you just put on over your head with no fastenings. They are comfortable too.

Before my op I had to do up my bra at the front and then sort of swivel it round to the back. And I couldn't wear anything that zipped up the back.

If any of the GPs in your local practice have an interest in muscular-skeletal issues then I’d get an appointment with them for a diagnosis or further investigations.

Those are also both symptoms of losing hormones. Not saying that's the cause of everything, but a possibility

Update pt 2. Frozen shoulder.

Hello all, I am at the initial stage of frozen shoulder. If I had left it too late, it could have been worse. During my appt, discussed my medical history and underwent a physical assessment and examination. At the end of the appt, the physio advised me to take ibuprofen and use a heat pack. I also received a home exercise plan via text.
If there is no improvement or if symptoms persist, the next steps are injections and possibly a scan.

Thanks for reading.

Commiserations, it is painful. My advice is to keep it moving as much as you can, do the physio, don’t go too heavy on ibuprofen (always take with food), and sleep with the affected arm propped up on a pillow.

Mine resolved itself (started in the April, really painful in the July, improving by August and just about back to normal by December), although my GP did refer me for hydrodilatation (another story - didn’t have it in the end).

@SabrinaThwaite Yes, the physio also said to keep moving!
She wants me to take ibuprofen for at least two weeks.
Thank you for your concern.

Sometimes I have problems wiping my bottom.

I’d also say be careful about knocking your affected arm (I found bumping the elbow the worst) whilst it’s in the freezing stage as that can be very painful.

Yy this also echo sleeping with affected arm propped up on a pillow I found that really helpful hope you have some relief soon🫰

@SabrinaThwaite thank you for your advice, much appreciated.

@dontcallmelen Thanks.

I enjoy reading people's positive recovery stories.

I had something similar this time last year. My colleague thought it was a frozen shoulder which she'd had. Her pyschio advised her to pull her arm across her body towards her waist (slightly stretching it), then use her other hand to pinch from her shoulder down the arm.

I can still feel it a bit now, but can do all my exercise classes, one with weights. It's worth a try

Hormone Replacement solved my achy shoulder (and whole body).