I'm having trouble with my right arm.

I am naturally left handed. I have been diagnosed as having RSI in my right hand, causing it to ache and swell when I do too much number pad work (all right hand operations). I am presently attempting to get a left handed keyboard or a separate number pad at work.

For the last couple of months, I've had a pain in my right arm, just below the shoulder joint. It means I cannot put my arm behind me or lift my elbow higher than my shoulder. I can lift things, pull and push with no trouble, there's no pain when bending the elbow or putting my arm out in front. Sometimes the pain is such that it wakes me at night. I have always slept on my right side, but the initial act of lying on it is no trouble at all.

I noticed this pain about 2 months ago, not long after we put a firmer matress pad on our bed. I thought that this might be the cause of my pain, so we removed it a week or so ago. I know that's not long but the pain is still persisting. My pillow arrangement has not changed. I haven't been carrying anything heavier than normal, I've not pulled it excercising or hanging from the chandelier, I can't think of any injury I've had to it. Resting my arm for a week hasn't made a great deal of difference.

The doctor says it's arthritis and the anti-inflammatories I'm taking should help. They do for my hand, but not for my arm.

The pain feels muscular, rather than joint - I can move my shoulder joint perfectly freely and the hurty bit is rather more towards that fleshy bit the nurse sticks the needle into when you get your shots.

Consequently, I'm sleep deprived, cranky and totally P.O'd... so now's the time to open the can of worms... does anyone out there have any ideas, suggestions (other than change my doctor) or experiences they'd care to share?

Thanks.

LTS