Sore Shoulders and PsA

My shoulders are out to get me at the moment, rendering me useless to do anything. I have had inflammation in my shoulder the last few days that rivals some of the worst pain I have experienced with my psoriatic arthritis.

It came out of nowhere and has been relentless in its pursuit to render me without functional arms. As I type this, I have on a heat patch and I can only sit in one certain way with something supporting my elbows and arms.

Navigating PsA shoulder pain

It to have happened overnight, and I am not sure how long this flare is going to last. I have had to find ways around this, and I tell you, it has been a ride.

Heat patches

The type of stick-on heat patches that you use for sore and inflamed muscles, etc. I cover my shoulders in these and leave them at least 24 hours before changing them to a new one again, longer if it stays on. I had to find a brand that does not aggravate my skin.

Thanks to my psoriasis, things like this can be challenging. I always have these in stock in my cupboards.

Ice packs and heater bags

Ice packs are the next best thing to have ready to use at all times. My freezer has more ice packs than food on most days. My drawer has multiple hearing bags, and on bad days, this means I can swap the ice pack and hearing bad as often as I need to on flare days.

I employ the help of my daughter for this, and she applies it to my shoulders comfortably. Hot/cold therapy really helps and gets the blood circulation going. I am not always able to get into an ice bath, but the ice packs make a big difference for me.

Anti-inflammatory meds

While I try and use these as rarely as possible, I do keep them on hand for times like these. Either just over-the-counter NSAID or the anti-inflammatory meds my doctor has prescribed. I take these as needed and make sure to keep up the care just as long as I need it.

I try not to use the medication longer than needed as it causes a terrible psoriasis flare. Being sure to balance this with good nutritious food and some probiotics means I keep my gut healthy, too.

Rest

Rest is best, and lots of it. The thing is, when both your shoulders are wrecked, there is not much you can do, so if you find a comfortable position in which to rest. Do it, rest as much as you can.   

I find it so hard to sleep and sit and do anything without being in excruciating pain. I find a comfortable place to rest, switch on some series, or listen to a podcast. There is simply nothing else to be done; the housework must wait, and so must everything else.

Taping

Something new I am also trying is to use sports tape to support the shoulder. I have yet to master this, though I do find it to be helpful and relieve some of the pressure. However, it does not help with sharp pain. Any suggestions here are welcome if you have them.

As I deal with this shoulder pain, I'm reminded of how important it is to be patient and take care of myself when dealing with psoriatic arthritis. I feel restricted because of this challenge, but I know that every day brings new chances to heal and be strong.