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Original poster

Shoulder/collarbone pain. Help

26 replies

ForevermoreAnxious · 29/12/2023 22:12

For the last few days ive had a horrible pain in my left shoulder, more like my collarbone, clavicle. Its so sore and at times sharp. I had a huge panic attack last night because the pain was so bad and I thought it was heart related. I do however have bad health anxiety. I'm inclined to think it's muscular just because it hurts more on movement. I had something similar in exactly the same place last year and I was referred for an MRI... I'm still waiting. It calmed down but now it's back. I'm not expecting anyone to diagnose me, I'd just like to know if you have had anything similar and what it was or of you can relate also for reassurance or hay its not my heart! No other symptoms except my huge panic attacks last night! (Not new for me, I do suffer badly)

OP posts:
Growingoutthegrey · 29/12/2023 22:13

Is there any chance you might be pregnant?

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 29/12/2023 22:32

I'm definitely not pregnant

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 30/12/2023 08:13

Have you taken any painkillers?

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 09:41

Yes ibruprofen and paracetamol. The pain seems to get worse as the day goes on.

OP posts:
tempnameforadvice · 30/12/2023 09:44

Rotator cuff. I have the same thing.

TheWeatherOutsideIs · 30/12/2023 13:32

I have similar. Mri showers multiple issues but none seem to correlate to the pain. I think Mine is muscular from poor posture as I now have it on the other side

festivetinseling · 30/12/2023 13:50

You might have a trapped nerve in your neck, which an osteopath could sort out for you. If it is anything else, they would be able to pinpoint the problem. They are way better than GPs at musculoskeletal things.

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 14:09

festivetinseling · 30/12/2023 13:50

You might have a trapped nerve in your neck, which an osteopath could sort out for you. If it is anything else, they would be able to pinpoint the problem. They are way better than GPs at musculoskeletal things.

Funny you mention the neck as I keep getting an odd twinge/ache in the left side of my neck/throat also.

OP posts:
CityCommuter · 30/12/2023 14:14

@ForevermoreAnxious do you have high blood pressure and how old are you?

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 15:01

I have borderline high blood pressure. I am quite overweight and I'm 30.

OP posts:
Movinghouseatlast · 30/12/2023 15:03

Have a look at frozen shoulder on the internet.

I have it and that awful stabbing pain is a major feature.

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 15:08

Even though it's not entirely in my shoulder? It's mostly my clavicle collarbone and it kind of radiates to the shoulder. I've added a picture and circled where the pain is

Shoulder/collarbone pain. Help
OP posts:
verylongday · 30/12/2023 15:10

Movinghouseatlast · 30/12/2023 15:03

Have a look at frozen shoulder on the internet.

I have it and that awful stabbing pain is a major feature.

I had this last year. It was excruciating. Pain in the areas OP describes. Worse at night and still cannot lie on that side

Nat6999 · 30/12/2023 15:14

Shoulder impingement, mine felt like I had ripped half my shoulder off. I had only tried to turn over in bed, dug my elbow in the mattress & nearly screamed. I had surgery 3 months later & physio.

butterpuffed · 30/12/2023 15:17

I have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder and have pain in the places you describe . Also in the upper arm .

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 15:18

butterpuffed · 30/12/2023 15:17

I have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder and have pain in the places you describe . Also in the upper arm .

Yes! Its in my upper arm too like a tingly dull achey feeling. I don't think it's a frozen shoulder as I have full use of my arm and shoulder and can move it with little discomfort. I would expect to be in alot more pain with a frozen shoulder surely?

OP posts:
K4tM · 30/12/2023 15:22

I currently have frozen shoulder. It’s not great, but not the worst thing can happen! I had it in the other shoulder 10 years ago and at the time was petrified it was cancer, which with hindsight was just silly, but that’s the way I felt back then.

This time, I knew what it was. GP referred me to physio, who diagnosed it (ie ruled out cancer/rotator cuff/ calcium deposits/other stuff that goes wrong with shoulders). I then had a steroid injection into the joint 3.5 weeks ago which has very much helped the pain. Side effects a bit ick (I’m post menopause then had a period - very weird!) but at least now I can sleep at night and I know I’m not dying of cancer. Having more physio in Feb (earliest I can get an appt 😡 - physio had wanted me back in 2 weeks but no choice but to wait).

It’s probably not your heart, but none of us are qualified to say and further investigation is needed. My point is, there’s a limited number of things it can be, it needs looking at properly by someone who knows what they’re doing and the sooner you go to GP to start the process, the sooner it can be resolved.

Firstshoes · 30/12/2023 15:23

I had horrible pain in my ribs on one side. Got worse as the day went on. Very painful especially at night. I was convinced it was muscular/bone. However suddenly had a couple of small blistery rashes appear on that side. Turned out to be shingles. May not be what you have but just in case!

butterpuffed · 30/12/2023 15:42

ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 15:18

Yes! Its in my upper arm too like a tingly dull achey feeling. I don't think it's a frozen shoulder as I have full use of my arm and shoulder and can move it with little discomfort. I would expect to be in alot more pain with a frozen shoulder surely?

Show quote history

It's certain movements , for example , brushing hair , turning over in bed , doing up my bra [can't possibly do it, have to hook it up under my chest and turn it around] but carrying shopping etc. doesn't affect it at all .

Blumarine · 30/12/2023 15:43

Shoulder pain can be one of the first symptoms of Parkinson’s?

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 15:50

butterpuffed · 30/12/2023 15:42

It's certain movements , for example , brushing hair , turning over in bed , doing up my bra [can't possibly do it, have to hook it up under my chest and turn it around] but carrying shopping etc. doesn't affect it at all .

Show quote history

I can do all those movements which leads me to this k it's not a frozen shoulder.

OP posts:
CityCommuter · 30/12/2023 15:54

OP sorry I don't mean to alarm you but the fact you also have pain in the left side of your neck and throat is a bit of a red flag so a trip to A & E would be wise to eliminate heart / artery issues... it's important you do this and not assume it's muscular pain especially as you've said it's got worse in one of your posts... do you have anyone with you for support?

Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 16:01

I can't possibly go to A & E. I have a young child and no one to care for them and I can't really take them with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 16:08

Plus I've had it for quite a few days now and surely if it was heart/artery related I would have some more symptoms or know about it by now?

OP posts:
Movinghouseatlast · 30/12/2023 16:14

ForevermoreAnxious · 30/12/2023 15:50

I can do all those movements which leads me to this k it's not a frozen shoulder.

Show quote history

Frozen shoulder at the beginning is just pain in the shoulder before you lose any movement, the agonising pain comes later.

I had full range of movement and just a sore arm/ shoulder for around 2 months before I stopped being able to do those things.

There is a frozen shoulder support group on Facebook and lots of people draw the very circle you did when describing where the pain is.

In a nutshell, frozen shoulder develops over time. What you describe is exactly how mine was at the start.