Apple watch and shoulder pain

I got mine for Christmas last year and had been wearing it for about 2 months when I started having some muscle pain and stiffness in my joints. Within a couple of weeks, it had gotten so bad that I could barely walk. Originally I thought it was a virus and assumed that it would pass, but the pain continued. I went to my doctor, she ran some tests but nothing. She decided that it was RA or some type of connective tissue disorder, but I wasn't ready to accept that diagnosis. I have continued to have pain. Some days are much worse than others. Recently, however, I noticed a rash on my wrist where I wore the Apple watch and, like you, had an Ahaaa! moment and realized that all of this started shortly after I started wearing the watch. I have not worn it since and am feeling noticeably less pain and stiffness. It's only been a short time so I'm anxious to see how I'm doing after 30 days.

DJM1978 wrote:

She decided that it was RA or some type of connective tissue disorder, but I wasn't ready to accept that diagnosis. I have continued to have pain. Some days are much worse than others. Recently, however, I noticed a rash on my wrist where I wore the Apple watch and, like you, had an Ahaaa! moment and realized that all of this started shortly after I started wearing the watch. I have not worn it since and am feeling noticeably less pain and stiffness.

Correlation does not equal causality. And, while you may feel less pain, if you have RA or a connective tissue disorder as your doctor (who went to medical school, did a residency and diagnoses people for a living) indicates, not treating it could result in permanent damage far sooner than necessary. Such a diagnoses is scary but, ignoring the disease won't make it go a way. Seriously, go back to your doctor.

Albatr055 wrote:

I find it hard to believe that theres no connection to this. I've never had shoulder issues, currently 36 years old. I want to believe its safe but at the end of the day we're beaming radiation directly into our bloodstream for the majority of the day.

What did your doctor say?

Albatr055 wrote:

I find it hard to believe that theres no connection to this. I've never had shoulder issues, currently 36 years old. I want to believe its safe but at the end of the day we're beaming radiation directly into our bloodstream for the majority of the day.

There may be a connection, but not the one you are implying. You are wearing a watch that you look at many times a day. That requires lifting your arm and rotating your shoulder. Both of these actions use muscles and tendons that you normally wouldn't use in day to day activities.

And it is not beaming radiation anywhere. There is no ionizing radiation coming from your watch. If it was "beaming radiation into your bloodstream" think about that phone that you have in your pocket that emits 100 times more RF energy (also non-ionizing) than your watch, right near sensitive parts of your body as well as right next to the femoral artery, one of the largest blood vessels in your body. And when you use your phone at your ear it is next to the carotid artery that supplies blood to your brain. The largest artery in your arm is about 1/10 the size of these others.

If you truly believe that the watch causes harm from radiation you absolutely MUST stop using cell phones altogether, and move to a rural area far from any cell towers.

I bought the 4 series the day it was released. I wore the watch on my left wrist. I started having pain in my left deltoid and shoulder. The pain was so bad I couldn’t lift my arm at times. I used muscle creams and Tylenol or Advil. The pain has gotten better since I stopped wearing my watch. I have not worn the watch in 2 weeks. I can now lift my arm but the shoulder is still a little sore. I’m a nurse and use my arm and hands daily for lifting. I thought it was just muscle aches. I will not wear the watch for now. I’m going to continue to monitor my pain and will contact my doctor if it doesn’t get better. I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who experienced this pain.

I stopped wearing mine for a few days and pain went away. Put it back on tonight and pain started up again. I have only looked at my watch 3 times. So I see your point on using your arm more often but I haven’t looked at hardly at all and the numbness has returned. I’ve changed how the band fits and that didn’t work either. I wonder if it has to do with the HR monitor because this also happened with the fitbit I returned.

No, not experiencing it and now on my second Watch. And this one is the Cellular model. If I were you I would see a doctor.

No, there are people who think they are affected by it.

I love it! Anti-vaxxers make me so angry. Andrew Wakefield has a lot to answer for.

And yes i belive in vaccines ...

I wonder if it has to do with the HR monitor because this also happened with the fitbit I returned.

Shining lights at your arm will not cause pain in a normal person. See your doctor.