December 8
This is a message from a Chick:
I’ve been battling RA for 3 years now and last night I discovered swelling around my collarbone to the point that it looks like there’s no definition of the bone. Has anyone else had this happen before? I’ve never had swelling there before.
Thank you in advance for your input and sharing your experiences to help answer this members question. (((pain-free internet hugs)))
What our members have said so far:
Julie – I was diagnosed with RA a little over a year ago. I am having the same issue. Kinda feels like it a permanent bruise. Some days it’s hard for me to lift my arms.
Patricia – So sorry to hear that. I haven’t gotten that. Hope you feel better. Call your Rheumy!!
Heather – I have swelling on the right side of the front of my neck so bad that I choke when I swallow! The pain doctor told me the name of the joint but I can’t think of it right now. I’ve had it for about a year & a half.
Heather – Sternoclavicular
Margaret – Only when my lymph nodes in that area are enlarged, I’d get it checked out if I were you. Get better soon x
Sarah – You could just have a cold or some kind of sickness that would make other parts of your body swell but it should go after you get better
Rose – Yep, my collarbone gets inflamed too. Sometimes when it aches really bad I feel like I’m being choked. My rheumy explained it to me this way, anywhere you connect can become inflamed. Biofreeze helps. Good luck.
Vicki – I’ve had before and they have drained fluid from there, and gave me a steroid injunction there (which hurt.) It used to hurt even breathing.
Nicole – Yes. Swelling was my first sign something said wrong. I swell everywhere from feet, hands, and my shoulder blades. I also have ” stinging” or tingling some say. It can swell with no pain, tenderness, till outright horrible pain. And sometimes for no reason ( meaning all i did was wake up! Or didn’t physically stress my self). Sorry u are going through it. My sis has lupus and swells way worse than I do. It’s inflamation is what i was told
Sue – Yes my collarbone is swollen and I have a small goiter as well. I get pain in my sternum but not necessarily in my collarbone. Do speak to your rheumy!!!
RA Warriors – Philippines Me too. My arms’ range of motion went down to 20-30% L/R. They’re very painful during flares. After rigorous and intense physical therapy, their back to 80% and 70% L/R arm. Xray showed both shoulder cartilage are too thin and have significant deformity that’s why they won’t return to 100% range of motion. Now, I’m trying to build some muscles around it by maximizing the remaining range of motion. Looking at the mirror, my shoulders are not symmetrical anymore. My advise: try not to sleep on that side of your shoulder. Putting your body weight on it while lying will cause it to deform more and keep those flares off as much as possible. Deformity happens more often during flares. DAMN you RA!
Pam – I have had arthritis since i was 26 and was diagnosed with ra at 50 i have had a swelling round my collar bone since then they gave me an mri for it thinking it may b a goiter but it was the ra i am 58 now and still get the swelling worse when i am flared. X
Kemberly – ND CR Off and on all the time.
Sarah – That happens to me occasionally, Biofreeze does work well. Always check with the Dr though to make sure it’s not lymph nodes or another underlying issue. Good luck
Roxanne – Yes! It’s painful and at times difficult to move adjoining shoulder; but for me it was a diagnosis (after 4 painful mos of not saying anything) of severe bursitis and tendinitis. Do go in to get checked out. I know I’ve got to “get over” my high threshold of pain keeping me from delaying saying anything. LOL I have my arsh chewed out for that, well deserved. Gentle hugs, I hope this helps
Guyla – I’ve had quite a problem with my sternum too. It actually affects my ability to take deep breaths. Only shallow breathing. I have AS. It can be quite painful too. The flare lasted about 6 weeks.
Michala – I’ve had RA for over 12 years, this does happen and it really does feel like your choking, your rheumy will treat it the same as any other area of your body (draining or direct steroid) but you must tell him even if it passes without treatment as this should be added to your notes. At some stage your RA activity should be analysed and all areas build a story that help you to read your body and the signs. It is very uncomfortable I hope you feel better soon, big hugs x
Caroline – Yep and currently even got my ears in my bones flaring so am as deaf as an old dog.
Danielle – If it persists and seems to “harden” it might be hyperostosis. I would call your Rheumy.
Andrea – My bursa there had so much chronic inflammation that I needed most of it removed and I had to have the end of the collar bone trimmed as well as the AC joint cleaned up. I also had a torn labrum so yes this is a big area for inflammation. As a positive recovery wasn’t fun but I’m doing so much better after the surgery and its been 4 years
Sally – I have the same thing at the sternum and clavicle area. It pops and grinds every time I move my arm up. talked to shoulder specialist, and there is no surgery that can be done. it would make my collar bone too “foppy” so have to watch that I do not over use ..
Linda – I have chronic pain in the collar bone area… In fact, it was one of my first symptoms!!! Being very still , that is, taking long rests where I am not holding a book or doing anything with my arms or hands can help keep it settled down. . It is a strange place to have so much pain!!!!
Becca – I have had RA since I was 2 yrs old, so for the last 35 years I’ve managed to go through almost everything. I’ve had swelling in my collarbone on an off sometimes so that it’s difficult for me to raise my arms, it’s also affected my internal organs. I hope you get better soon just hang in there!
Becca – I have also had issues with my sternum and sometimes it’s hard to breathe. They call it costochondritis. usual my prednisone or sometimes a higher dose of Naprosyn (500 mg) will help relieve that information and the pain…good luck and pain free hugs your way ((( )))
Debbie – Me too. I have RA and lupus and it seems when I get through one flare , another starts . Mine is mostly in my left side ,shoulder and wrists are worse and I’m left handed . I’m already overweight since my life has changed so much so, the steroids scare me to take anymore . And I’ve been on 4 different injections and or infusions which haven’t worked . It’s crazy ……
Helen – So good (yet sad) to know we are not alone in our experiences. Yes to the sternum and collar bone issues but I don’t have visible signs of inflammation – just tremendous pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion: neck, neck muscles, shoulder blades, sternum, arms. I will see if I can get back in for a physical therapy tune up. Hang in there !!!!
Rhoda – Yes thats part of how they found my Ra physical therapy was great. I couldnt left my arm very high so dressing was a pain. I got a round of steroids 8 weeks of therapy . The swelling cause things to get displaced. Please call your dr. Asap .. and feel better fast
Angela – I get that ALLLL the time! I have gotten so much swelling in my collarbone that the bone nobs nearest to my neck have worn down and now they actually feel sharp when they should feel round and smooth. I know that sounds weird but that’s the best way I could think of to explain it lol. It’s very frustrating because you wouldn’t think you’d get inflammation there but it does happen…
Teresa – I have to say thank you to all who respond to these inquiries. Every time someone asks a question I learn something. I’m having shoulder and collarbone pain too along with shortness of breath. Now I have a pulmonary doc to go with rheumy. I also have a very high pain threshold and in the past have tended to minimize symptoms to the point of ridiculous.
Julia – I’ve had RA for 20 years and I’m pretty sure every bit of soft and/or connective tissue has been inflamed at one time or another. Not fun
Mary – Try a heating pad on it to see if the swelling will go down. If it hasn’t gone down within a week, you need to call your doctor for an appointment.
Jeni – Yes i do have swelling in my major joints .. when my wrist or ankles or even fingers hurt me they swell up as welll its painful and no one ever understands …i am actually having a rough morning today
Tammy – I have OA on both sides of my collar bones.. If I move my arms a certain way, I yell out OUCH!!! I use lots of moist heat and ice packs.. But still is VERY VERY painful!!
Lela – I have. My doctor said it was due to the inflammation around my shoulders and neck. Same for sore throats. Have them everyday due to inflammation attacking my esophagus.
Cherie – I have had it quite a bit in the past 44 years, now have a permanent part of my collar bone enlarged close to my esophagus.
Chris – Everyday
Cindy – People thought I was nuts when I said my collar bone hurt…….just another rotten symptom of RA….
Jessica – Oh yeah, I can even feel it as it is swelling!!
Stephanie – Thank you for posting this. I’ve had collarbone swelling for the last 6 months. No pain there but neck and shoulder pain for sure. I assumed it was RA related as everything weird that happens to me usually is but I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with this.
Making Autoimmune Connections – more and more I’m having collarbone pain, on the right side
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