QuestionThe last few months my arms ache when I lift them above shoulder level, and my hands feel funny in the morning and when I hold something for very long. I used to sleep on my side/stomach with my arms over my head, but I can't do that anymore. My sleep is deteriorating, even though I've tried different sleeping position and all kinds of pillow arrangements. I'm female, 53, fairly healthy, not overweight and I walk 2 miles every day. This past year my blood pressure has been elevated (between 130/78 to 160/90 or so), but always before it was 120/70. My cholesterol and blood sugar seem to be fine. My eating habits are pretty healthy. Do you have any suggestions to help me research to try to find the cause? Thanks for any response.
AnswerMost shoulder issues are rotator cuff tendonitis, but it would be a bit unusual to have both shoulders affected. Arthritis is also a bit uncommon in the shoulders in people of your age, unless there is some other pathology. Other possibilities include something called PMR, or polymyalgia rheumatica. Other less common causes could be thoracic outlet syndrome.
My suggestion would be a visit to your doctor for proper exam, bloodwork, chest xray, and shoulder xrays.
