Arthritis in both shoulders and neck

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.

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

I have an electric blanket that has been life changing.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Thank you everyone

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.

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’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
Please can you explain what you mean by disease modifiers

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.