pain in shoulder blade/back

[DominiqueBernard]

I've got that weird pain from sleeping in an awkward position, I woke up with it in the night 2 nights ago in my right shoulder blade. I don't get it very often but typically it goes away after 1 - 2 hours with a bit of gentle stretching. But it's not gone away and is really quite painful even when making small movements, even say with my left arm or hand (pain is in right shoulder). I've been taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories but there has been no notable reduction of pain. It's also making my chest hurt on the right (in line with where it hurts on the shoulder blade) and feel tight.

Any ideas for shifting it, please?

Both gynaecological and arthritic issues can cause shoulder pain. If it’s recurrent, persistent or troublingly painful I would speak to a GP - just to be sure.

I had shoulder pain which radiated down my arm. Turned out to be caused by tight pectoral muscle. Gets better if I stretch that in a door frame. Arm up and step forward with opposite leg. Lean forwards till you feel a stretch. Given you mention chest pain it could be this?

I've had similar pain for months. It's really aggravated by scrolling on my phone. I'm currently seeing a physio and she says unless I put my phone down it will always be a problem. I'd love to ditch my phone completely, but sadly life without one is impossible these days.

Thank you all so much. It was very strong this morning then waned a bit around lunchtime, (but maybe just because I was super busy, so distracted) but it's kind of radiated since then. Sneezing is beyond painful, yawning or deep breathing hurts a lot, all through the ribs and chest on the whole right side. The original pain goes all the way through from chest (just right of centre just above sternum) to the shoulder blade at the back.

Gallstones?

I would agree this is a possibility.

Another vote for gallstones from me.

If it doesn't go away, intensifies, develop a temperature or you feel nauseous and/or vomit go to the hospital. I was advised to do this when I had the pain and I started to vomit. Went to the out of hours gp the next day and she advised me of this if it happened again.

Thanks. Would gallstones have any other symptoms ? I don't have any fever or stomach pain.

Neither did I. Our version of NHS Direct sent me to A&E to rule out a heart attack. I described it as being slowly impaled with a red hot poker.

I was a classic FFF - female, in my forties and “fat”.

I didnt have fever but I did have abdominal pain at night but after several hours it settled. The caution here is though that yours didn't sound like it fully settled (?) and it also could be a number of things. The best idea is for you to speak to your GP or ring your emergency advice number (111 ??) ( especially if the issue is recurrent and persistent) and get properly assessed.

I went to A and E in the night 3 weeks ago as I was woken by chest pains (but different to this - much much more painful and on the left, lower down), and stopped breathing/hyperventilated. They concluded it was anxiety (I do have anxiety and take pills for it) or possibly rhumatoid arthritis. I had the same pain 2 years ago and went through months of tests for heart stuff, pericarditis, sleep apnea and more, all were negative.

I wouldn't say it feels like a red hot poker, more like a pulled muscle ? I.e. not really painful if not moving, unless breathing very deeply. Was able to sleep ok last night but it twinges if I turn over or pull myself up on my right elbow.

I had 2 urinary tests, plus blood tests, done recently. Would they have shown possible gallstones ?

I am FF, female and 43 (post menopausal after chemo). But not fat.

I have e-mailed my GP.

Best way to diagnose gallstones is an ultrasound. Since you've had what sounds like a comprehensive work up medically, you've done the best thing and contacted your Gp.

Thanks, I am having a PET scan on Thursday.

Feeling a lot less pain now but it's still there when moving upper body or deeply breathing in cold air.

Good luck with the scan, hope it all turns out OK and that you get the pain sorted.

Was thinking about you today, hope you got sorted. x

Thanks so much ! Saw physio yesterday for something else and mentioned it to him and he did 5 mins. of osteo on my shoulders and spine and the pain has almost gone (could be unrelated). Today's scan results have gone directly to my doctor so I hope to get them tomorrow.

A good physio is a godsend. I used to have hideous frequent headaches , started with a new physio last year and she was been transformative. When I think of the money I have spent on Chiropractors, physios and all sorts of ologists over the years.

Unfortunately I have this frequently. I also found massage at a physio place really great. A tennis ball or two in a sock can be used to self massage the knotted area.

Hiw you doing DominiqueB?

Hello, sorry, was waiting for a new SIM. PET scan has flagged something in the left lung. I do hope it's not serious. Had horrible pain again through Tuesday night that wouldn't shift with antialgesics but otherwise ok. Next step more tests.

Thank you so much for asking.

I hope it is something easily remedied and they don't keep you waiting for long to find out either. I will keep everything crossed for you. x

Did you ever find out the cause?x

Thank you so much. I had the awful chest pain again on Monday night and ended up taking so many Tramadols that I was very unwell for the next 2 days. I have a lung scan in a couple of weeks' time so they can see if anything has changed since the one I had 2 weeks ago.