Weird shoulder/neck/lower back pain - any comments please?

[SouthDevonDelight]

What started about 6 months ago as a twinge in my left shoulder/neck (a bit like stiff neck from sleeping in strange position) has developed into a constant ache and spread to the other shoulder now.

If I press hard on tops of shoulder, it's really tender and now very uncomfortable to reach round for bra clips or put arms into a coat. Last few days the ache has spread to my neck and down arms. I haven't pulled a muscle through exercising or twisting awkwardly and starting to feel concerned.

I know I should see g.p. but the truth is I'm a bit scared that it's something bad (sister died from bone cancer 3 years ago).

I've been through emotional trauma with relationship ending 12 months ago but surely this wouldn't cause physical pain? Have Googled the symptoms but feel sure it's not frozen shoulder etc and now back aches too, althugh primary pain is still the shoulders.

PS - I am NOT a hyperchondriac!

Forgot to mention that I've been taking St John's Wort for about 9 months, although can't think how the shoulder/neck pain could be a side-effect.

Could you have damaged ligaments and muscle and by yielding to the pain caused lower back pain. I have a neck injury and often get lower back pain because of the upper back and neck pain. Plse go to the Dr, if it is from the St Johns worth you need to look at an alternative I did not think you could take it for so long tbh ]3 months on 3 months off]
With the stress you have gone through you could be carrying it in your neck/ shoulders
Or if it is muscle damage you can get something for that.
I use acupuncture for stress and back pain and physio.
HTH
Good luck and take care of yourself

Take yourself off to a chiropractor. Have you been sitting hunched over a laptop?

I'd also guess that it's all related - one area of tension/soreness leading to others - and quite possibly connected with what you've been going through recently.

Go and see someone! It's probably not anything sinister, but it probably won't get better on its own either.

Oh no Belle is MN responsible for my neck pain?
I was blaming DP for being to tall
See SouthDevonDelight that is 3 vote to go to Gp it will prob be so simple to sort, and the worry and stress you are causing yourself is a lot worse then the cure

I was told off for my slouching sitting position when I was on mumsnet the laptop. I adjusted this (I now sit on the sofa and don't slouch as much) and it's loads better

A chiropractor will really help though, he'll find out why it's hurting, where it's hurting and he'll stick his thumb in the spot so it hurts like hell but releases the muscle so it feel all better.

Second/third the chiropractor recommendation. I'm not normally up for that kind of thing but struggled with just the type of pain you describe for 5 years with the GP prescribing anti-inflammatories and physio. It came and went but last year I cracked and went 'alternative' and tried the chiropractor. One month later (about 6 visits) and I was cured. Have now been pain free for about 15 months. GP told me I had arthritis in my neck from hunching over a microscope (I was 35 FFS). Chiro told me the same action had weakened the muscles in my back, and tightened those at the front so they were all wonky. Not a bone/joint problem but a muscular one - much less drastic and easy to fix.

Thanks to all for your comments. Yes, I know I really must do something and think the chiropractor route would be best. I did see one about 15 years ago when suffered whiplash injury from car accident, so know this form of treatment can be effective.

I feel a little reassured it's nothing awful and connected to my sister's cancer and do appreciate that it could be twinges of "old age" (54), coupled with a degree of tension.

Update on shoulder/elbow/back pain - please don't shout at me for leaving it a few more weeks before taking action - realised yesterday that when I couldn't bend arm backwards to put into sleeve of coat being held "gentlemanly" behind me, that the time had come to see GP.

After lots of prodding tender bits, stretching and 3 syringes of blood taken for analysis, I now have a prescription for Diclofenac, appointment for blood test results, possible sessions with physio and rheumatologist and maybe even acupuncture!

The doctor was very supportive and I'm hoping something will work.

.... and yes, I should have gone to the surgery earlier on!