Pain in shoulder which causes me to pass out

[Miaou]

It was the thread on giving birth being the most painful experience that started me thinking about this - this is prob more painful but doesn't last that long!

Before you start saying "ring NHS Direct" etc, I should point out that this has been going on for about 10 years or more so I doubt it is anything life-threatening.

However - occasionally I get an intense sharp pain in my left shoulder, feels like it's in the bone. The pain was so bad initially that it used to make me pass out, but I think I got better at coping with it over the years because it didn't make me faint for quite a while. However now I am pregnant it does seem to make me pass out again. This is never a major problem because the pain (and loss of consciousness) is so fleeting, seems to last about 1 or 2 seconds, then I am fine again, except that my shoulder then aches for a few minutes.

When it originally started happening I went to the GP who referred me to hospital for a scan to see if my heart was enlarged as they thought it was a symptom of a heart defect. When the scan was clear they kind of washed their hands of the problem and I've never followed it up.

Anyway ... just wondered if anyone else has had this?

[Aimsmum]

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[Miaou]

No Aimsmum the pain is really localised - I could put my finger on it. My shoulder sometimes feels stiff afterwards though, particularly if it has happened more than once in one day.

[Aimsmum]

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[Miaou]

Tbh I knew it was a bit of a long shot, and don't really fancy taking it up with gp/hosp again, particularly as it doesn't really impact that heavily on my life, just freaks people out if it happens when I am with someone! Hope your mum gets sorted though.

[Aimsmum]

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[Miaou]

I know I probably should, but I'm sure I'll end up being referred to Inverness, Aberdeen or Glasgow which is a PITA from where I am just now! I did kind of wonder (originally) if it was bone cancer or a bone infection, but like I said, it started 10 years ago now and hasn't changed any, so I'm not too worried, just curious really.

[Aimsmum]

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[Miaou]

[Prufrock]

Could it possibly be wind? Don't laugh - the most painful part of my births (2 c-s) was the deferred wind pain I had at the back of my left shoulder. Some people get it as a dull ache, I got sharp stabing pains.

[Enid]

i damaged my neck last year and when I had physio, one of the movements caused me to pass out. It was when the shoulder/spine pressed on the vagus nerve (I think...!) - intensely painful and made me black out.

Go and see a physio and see what she says.

[Miaou]

Prufrock, I don't think so, because I've had it since before I had children/was pg, by a few years.

Enid, I suppose it could be a neck nerve getting pinched - the pain isn't necessarily in the place where the damage is. Hadn't thought of that.

Maybe after this bub is born I might follow it up.