Fibromyalgia Shoulder Pain

The Fibro Life Saga Continues! Dun dun dun…

Sometimes it helps me, when I hear other people’s chronic illness stories and they are similar to mine. Don’t get me wrong. I take absolutely no pleasure in knowing that other people are suffering. That’s not it at all. In fact that kind of makes my heart ache a little.

But, what does bring me comfort is the reassurance that I’m not imagining things. I’m not crazy!

Sure, a lot of what goes down with this autoimmune disorder is just out-and-out bizarre. It can leave you doubting your sanity. It sometimes helps to know you’re not the only one that has experienced one freaky symptom or another.

And, so here I will weave my Fibromyalgia shoulder pain tale of woe in the hopes that it brings fellow chronic warriors some comfort in knowing they are not alone.

Fibromyalgia Shoulder Pain 

Gentle exercise helps ease my shoulder pain...sometimes.

The thing about this “invisible illness” is that the list of symptoms is endless. Well, maybe not endless, but it sure feels that way.  For example, Fibromyalgia shoulder pain. That’s a big check mark for me.

Not only are my shoulders constantly painful, they have limited range and are major trigger points. Reach too far and WHAM I’m down n’ out with a flare.

You ever see that commercial? Where the person sits up in bed with their arms extended above them. Smiling, stretching, and looking satisfied; refreshed. Yeah, that’s no longer me.

I remember the first time it happened. The look on my face must have been priceless as the pain registered. There I was sitting in bed, right arm fully extended into morning stretch mode and my left shoulder locked in place about half way to attention.

What should have been a slightly painful tweak spiraled to the point of my not being able to do anything for myself.  and continued to get worse until I got a cortisone shot. Not even going to try and put into words how agonizing that needle was.

Self Care Is Important

I’ve learned to live with my shoulders just on the edge of a flare. Both shoulders hurt always, and I have to move with caution.

Sometimes I get relief from my tens machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and then there are the days that it is excruciating to even try.

Hmmm, thinking back to that first day of full on shoulder pain makes me long for the good old days when mornings rocked, especially showers.

But, that’s a Fibromyalgia pain tale for another day…