Severe shoulder and arm Pain

[Lineeyesoverhere]

I’ve had neck and shoulder pain on and off for a few weeks. Really stiff when I wake up. Also a strange sensation in my arm, around elbow.

For the last 3 days the pain has moved from my neck and now feels like a muscle spasm in my shoulder blade and what must be a trapped nerve with pain going in really severe waves down my right arm. It really is excruciating and makes sleeping difficult.

I saw the dr yesterday who prescribed some Naproxen but it’s doing nothing for the pain. I get some relief during the day once I move (although the occasional waves are in the arm) but right now I feel like being sick with the pain. I’m now on the waiting list for physio and have booked a chiropractor appointment for Tuesday.

Any ideas? A trapped nerve?

Thank you

Frozen shoulder? I had one several years ago and the pain was extraordinary. I had gradual stiffness and lack of movement combined with terrible pain when my arm was knocked in any way. Your symptoms sound a bit different from mine, but read up on frozen shoulder and see if it looks familiar. The whole process of freezing/frozen/defrosted of my shoulder took about a year I think.

Thanks @TorchesTorches, that’s sounds horrific … a year!! I did read up on that whilst consulting Dr Google. I have pretty much full movement though (apart from now occasional stiffness) and a knot type sensation in my shoulder blade.

Were you prescribed any painkillers?

I wasn't prescribed pain killers as the pain was only acute in certain circumstances, generally pain was constant low level so paracetamol type level I actually don't like taking pills abd have a high pain threshold, so generally was just in pain. But it was very draining, so found myself very tired.

I did have a steroid injection in my shoulder which didn't work for me, but some people find it a good pain relief

Also I had full movement initially, it very gradually restricted over the freezing stage, which for me was about 6 months. That's the painful stage. The other 2 stages (frozen and thawing ) had no pain.

This is why I’m surprised how it’s knocked me- I have a relatively high pain threshold too. At times this is worse than labour, at least with a contraction I could count away the pain.

I guess I’ll just have to see what the chiropractor says on Tuesday…

Yep, at times worse indeed than labour, but only for minutes at a time at least. Good luck with your visit.
I was initially misdiagnosed by a physio but after 2 months of no improvement went to a different physio specialist in arms/ shoulders and she diagnosed me instantly.

Try gentle heat to make the muscles relax around the nerve (hot bath or warm hot water bottle). I also do trigger point massage, which helps - look for tennis ball massage tips on YouTube

Slipped disc in the neck causing muscle spasms and nerve pain?

I can't beleive no-one has suggested a chiropractor. They will get you sorted in no time and usually have same day appointments for things like frozen shoulders and such. Mine was sorted in 3 visits.

Sorry didn't read the last line of your post. Just hang in there until Tuesday.

@Bordernotboarder

Slipped disc in the neck causing muscle spasms and nerve pain?

I’d go with a disc issue too as a guess.

Oh a disc issue sounds like it’s not going to be a quick or easy fix 😳
Just a quick google and it did start with lower back pain but I do get that from time to time following a hasty spinal in Labour so blamed that.

Thanks for all your input x