Hello I am new to this board. I normally post to the digestive board b/c I have acid reflux, hiatal hernia and a peptic ulcer.

Now my problem is this--about two months ago I began to have shoulder pain whenever I would move my arm. Something as simple as putting on clothes would give me a sharp twinge right were the joints are.

I ignored this thinking that I must have just pulled a muscle and everything would go back to normal. Well, here I sit two months later and my shoulder not only causes sharp pain with movement, but in the mornings I have swelling and stiffness all the way down my arm.

I actually went to the ER b/c I couldn't get a doctors visit. They put my arm in a sling, recommended applying heat and to take tylenol. Could not prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug b/c of stomache problems. Well, the sling actually made it feel worse but applying the heat seemed to help. They seem to think it is a muscle strain.

Well, sometimes I can hear a popping sound if I move my arm first thing in the morning around the joint area. Do you think this could be the beginning of RA.

Anyone out there ever experience shoulder pain and it turned out to be that. I have RA in my family.

Thank you for any responses in advance, LML

[This message has been edited by llawrence36 (edited 06-04-2003).]

There are alot of things this could be RA being only one and not the most likely one. Some of the others would include, bursitis, tendonitis, sprain/strain in any case if it is becoming chronic it would be a good idea to go to your pcp and explain what is happening perhaps there is a way he can suggest to help the problem without anti-inflamatories. Good Luck