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Original poster

Can anyone help identify this pain/problem?

64 replies

fedupofthismeh · 02/06/2022 16:43

Right so I'm going to try and explain best I can.
I started with a weird niggle pain in my upper back almost on my upper back near my shoulder blade on the right hand side. It was more annoying to begin with.
Last week It intensified and spread and its settled in my right armpit right where my breast and arm meet. It hurts to touch it. When i lightly press the pain throbs. Lifting arm up and putting arm forward make it hurt Thru the course of the day it gets worse to an almost constant ache which gets worse when stood up and walking. It also spreads up my back to my neck and it hurts to put my head down. It also hurts in my collarbone to put my head down.
I went to the gp last week who prescribed amitriplyine which short of making me very sleepy has done nothing. I work a physical job and cannot afford to take time off work as we only get SSP and that won't even cover half our outgoings. I'm taking a lot of painkillers which aren't even touching it. I've been recommended codeine and paracetamol combined tablets 4 times a day and ibrupofoen 400mg 3 times a day. All of which I'm taking but to no avail.
I'm so miserable. Lying down helps. But getting up hurts. I feel like I've aged overnight. I'm not even 30!
When I stand up there's so much pressure on my shoulders and neck. I'm a healthy weight. Eat a healthy diet.
I had some bloods done on a different matter and they came back normal except for abnormal liver function and to have repeat bloods done which I'm having at the end kf the month. Only mentioning in case it's related. I'm going to push for a gp appointment next month.
Any help please

OP posts:
concernedrepurplehouse · 02/06/2022 22:18

Here for the update. Good luck OP.

(thoracic outlet syndrome here)

Original poster
fedupofthismeh · 03/06/2022 06:17

Not a very exciting update. Got seen by a doctor about 3 hours ago. There not actually sure what it is. They've given me some pain relief which has finally taken the pain away for now. Arms still numb. They want to do an xray and they've taken some bloods. That's kind of it. The pain was so bad last night I was throwing up in a and e so that was the highlight of my Thursday evening Friday morning!
I don't know what It is or could have caused it.
I lift my little girl but I also do a lot of lifting at work. I follow correct lifting procedures and don't over strain myself..

OP posts:
purplesequins · 03/06/2022 06:20

has someone listened to your heart?
done an ecg and blood test?

not wanting to scare you but my mums heart attack's only symptom wer pain like that at firstx

Original poster
fedupofthismeh · 03/06/2022 06:24

purplesequins · 03/06/2022 06:20

has someone listened to your heart?
done an ecg and blood test?

not wanting to scare you but my mums heart attack's only symptom wer pain like that at firstx

No nothing like that. They took some bloods but nothing back. I feel a little like now I'm not throwing up from pain they've left me in a cubicle.

OP posts:
Wickywickyyow · 03/06/2022 06:49

I've got similar, it's a torn rotator cuff. The pain is spreading as I compensate using and lifting in a different way. I carry small children (and some are very heavy!) for hours which I think has caused it.

Original poster
fedupofthismeh · 03/06/2022 10:34

The bloods have come back with high HCG which indicates pregnancy which is a shock as I'm on the pill. There arranging a urgent scan to check if it's ectopic. Never even heard of an ectopic before

OP posts:
BlanketsBanned · 03/06/2022 10:46

Gosh that must have been a bit of a shock, lets hope they can get you treated soon and you feel better.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 03/06/2022 11:07

Oh What a shock for you
I'm so glad you're in the right place.
Thinking of you

notapizzaeater · 03/06/2022 11:17

They will probably order an ultrasound to check everything out.

justasking111 · 03/06/2022 11:27

Gosh that wouldn't he have occurred to anyone. Glad you're in hospital now

Original poster
fedupofthismeh · 03/06/2022 11:57

Scans in 10 minutes. Had a chat with a doctor who said that the numbness is more than likely a trapped nerve but with the possible pregnancy (god that's weird to say) it might be ectopic. It might be a strange coincidence that this has all happened together

OP posts:
poorbuthappy · 03/06/2022 12:28

Shit. Was going to suggest ectopic cos of shoulder pain but assumed the doc would have checked previously. You're in the right place. Take care

BringBackCoffeeCreams · 03/06/2022 14:23

Whatever the outcome I think you've won the most unexpected update award.

workworkworkugh · 03/06/2022 14:30

My DH has had a similar pain for 8 weeks now and the doctor is saying it's bursitis.
DH goes in on Monday for an ultrasound and the steroid injection for the pain.

Iloveychildrenandmydoggie · 03/06/2022 14:34

I was going to suggest gall bladder or ectopic…hope all ok OP 💐

Etinoxaurus · 03/06/2022 14:47
Flowers Everything crossed @fedupofthismeh Hope you get some answers and relief soon.
Penguintears · 03/06/2022 15:36

How did the scan go? I assume if it is ectopic they might be doing surgery now.

SomePosters · 03/06/2022 15:41

Thank goodness you went int to get seen!

PinkButtercups · 03/06/2022 15:59

Hope you're okay x

tobi21 · 03/06/2022 18:50

Good luck and best wishes Op xx

Sallypally0 · 03/06/2022 18:59

The doctor suggested that and that's what the amitrypiline was for. But it hasn't even made the slightest change except now I feel sleepy all the time

I had a trapped nerve once and painkillers reduce the pain, obviously, but are not going to fix the problem. You need somebody to manipulate the nerve back to where it should be.

I saw a trigger point specialist and they sorted me out. Bloody painful though. Any good sports masseuse should do the job.

Original poster
fedupofthismeh · 03/06/2022 20:08

So long story but I always hated threads where I never got a conclusion 😂
I have a trapped nerve in my shoulder which was the numbness. In a weird coincidence I had an ectopic pregnancy which occurred at the same time. I put the pain down to the trapped nerve
If I hadn't have gone to a and e last night it would have ended very badly.
I had no abdominal pain or any bleeding. I didn't even know I was pregnant, I was on the mini pill and take it religiously.
Anyway I had my scan at 12. And it was confirmed ectopic in the right fallopian tube. They said to me one option was something called methotrexate (? Possibly spelt completely wrong) but the embryo was already too large. I was in surgery by half 2. Woke up in recovery at half 4 ish I think. Ward at 6. Updating you at 8.
I'm in a little bit of a fog. To find out I'm pregnant at half 10 this morning and that was after no sleep in a and e and now I'm not pregnant and had to have surgery. I just thought i had a dodgy trapped nerve.
Well I'm in the hospital for at least another day or 2.
Never had surgery before. Feel a bit out of it so If this doesn't make sense sorry guys

OP posts:
Penguintears · 03/06/2022 20:10

Thanks for updating. What an odd coincidence! Glad you got it checked out and are OK now.

BlanketsBanned · 03/06/2022 20:11

Oh my, you poor thing, thank goodness you went to hospital, take care, get some rest and home soon.

FadedRed · 03/06/2022 20:19

What a shock for you, hope you get better quickly. Flowers
Shoulder pain is actually one symptom of ectopic pregnancy, caused by bleeding into the abdominal cavity irritating the diaphragm causing referred pain in the shoulder. So this would have been concealed by your existing nerve pain.
Good catch by the medics!