Posted 8/8/2005 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
dear Ginger,
how are you?? with RA the joint pain is bilateral. same joints on both sides of the body. the neck is a delicate area...once you get arthritis there you have to always make sure to keep proper posture...makes the shoulder pain even worse. chiropractics help some people. i would definitely get some Xrays and pics done and see an orthopedic or rheummy! simple OTC NSAIDs may help some if taken regularly, if not contraindicated. do you have a definite diagnosis yet???
wishing you well
erin
i find that heating pads help my arthritis in the neck and back. if it throbs though, i use ice. i have heard people use Salonspa patches...in the drugstore you can find them, even sometimes in the supermarket. also...be vigil on how you hold your neck and shoulders! sometimes we are crooked and don't know it until we get home at the end of the day and have become bent in half!!