Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Clavicle pain

Hello all, I've been absent from the forum for a while trying to get on with my life. I have checked in occasionaly to see how everyone is doing.

I saw my rheumatologist last month for six month follow up. I become more confused every visit. When I voice my concerns about new or worsening pain her response is always "it is what it is". This visit I told her that mowing the lawn was causing a considerable amount of pain, to which she asked who had "told me I could do that?". I said that no one had told me I could't. She then said that I am not to mow the lawn, even with the riding mower, no raking, sweeping, moping or anything that could cause vibration, shock or twisting of my spine. She has never offered me any treatment other than prescribing Cymbalta and telling me to continue the nsaid my pcp had prescribed. Looking for a new rheumatologist is in the near future.

Last Friday I went to help my daughter who had a clogged drain. She is a divorced mother of three and can't afford a plumber.
I was pushing a drain snake into the kitchen drain and felt/heard a "pop" in my left sternoclavicular joint. It has been very painful since. Any pushing or pulling with my left arm hurts.
I guess "it is what it is" and I can add that to the list of things I'm not supposed to do no.

Finished with my rant. Thanks for letting me vent.

"it is what it is" isn't necessarily bad advice but "Looking for a new rheumatologist is in the near future." should be "Looking for a new rheumatologist this morning." you need a ton more aggressive treatment than Cymbalta or "it is what it is" will become "it was what it was, but it ain't no more"

I'm not clear what the concern with these movements. Can you break or damage your spine by twisting while sweeping? Idk, but that would surprise me. It seems to me activity and exercise is an indicated treatment and shouldn't be eliminated. Modified, but eliminated.

You can have sternoclavial joint checked out by a doc. But personally, that would be a reminder to me to stretch and exercise my chest, shoulder area. Not to avoid it.

Perhaps a physical therapy or occupational therapy referral would be helpful.

Thats exactly right. The one thing that sets AS apart is that exercise makes it BETTER not worse. (right exercise) LACK of exercise makes it worse. Not to mention harder to recover. Even a severly damaged shoulder bone on bone type damage is sent to PT. This actually is a bit out of the purvey of rheumatology.

I agree RAHMBA, I was under the impression that the best thing was to continue to move. If we stop trying to keep things moving we will without a doubt lose the ability to move.
Thanks also TNTLAMB. I agree with you.

Please get a new doctor right away, you need more aggressive treatment.

Perhaps an appointment with PT would help you understand how to move? For education? Meanwhile, call your regular dr about your new pain.

Sorry.

Thanks to all for the input. I always feel better if I keep moving. True enough that I may suffer more if I overdo but in the long run if I do things in moderation, do as much as possible until I feel I need to stop then rest awhile then start again, I can do most things. I have given up climbing ladders, etc. but I'm not ready to lay down and die yet.

Activity, aggressive treatment, new rheumy. Yes to all of the above.