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alcohol induced shoulder pain

There has got to be something to this and I'm thinking it would be a great thesis paper for a graduating medical student!  
I'm 30 and have experienced these symptoms throughout my 'drinking life' every time I consume the slightest amount of alcohol.  I don't drink beer as I can't take the taste but prefer wine coolers or grain alcohol drinks.  I drink rarely, about every other month or two, but when I do it doesn't take long for crippling shoulder pain, yawning, and fatigue to result.  Typically, it only takes about half a glass or bottle for the reaction to begin which is probably around 15-20 minutes from starting to drink.  The symptoms last for 30-45 minutes and then subside and everything is back to normal.  
I'm fine with not consuming alcohol but it would be nice to understand what is happening.  I've questioned a few doctors over the years and no one has any explanations other than some chemical reaction is happening incorrectly or not at all within my body.  
You never know if something so rare, as these symptoms seem to be around the world, you could find the answer to alcohol intolerance, addiction, dependence or death... wish I had the ability to find out.  Maybe someone out there does?!?!?  
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Avatar universal
I, too, experience the exact same thing you are describing. Im very interested to find out the cause of it! Im not a drinker and only drink half - 3/4 a wine cooler and a few minutes later the shoulder pain starts. After about 30 mins it starts subsiding. I am Curious to know what causes this.
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I have been this way as well ever since I had my gallbladder taken out. it happens with margeritas kinky Malibu beer and wine coolers. if anybody has any answers please let me know
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I'm kind of glad to have come across this thread - sorry for everyone dealing with Hodgkin's Disease though!
I started drinking beer when I was 16 (I'm from Germany and it's legal except for drinking spirits - those only after 18) and I cannot remember that I had these symptoms very early on. (Or maybe I thought this was normal) I'm 32 now and have been dealing with drinking associated pains for many years. My alcohol consumption had drastically decreased over the years - I was very embarrassed after one binge-drinking incident when I was 20 yrs old, and after that partially also because of the increase in pain. I must have been dealing with this for at least 7 years. (A decrease of tolerance due to the lack of alcohol?)  As soon as I have a couple of sips of alcohol I get these really intense flu-like pains in my upper body. Particularly on both sides of my neck, down my collarbones and my arms. The pain varies in severity but it can be pretty bad - however, it only lasts for approximately 5-20 minutes. Like others have mentioned before, I can continue drinking without major problems but it definitely throws me off. It's been a lot of trial and error for me trying to make sense of all of this. (I also assume that diet might play a role in my overall reaction but I am always fine on gluten). Beer has been increasingly difficult - dark spirits in general and anything fermented I'd like to think. (tannins/sulfates?) I completely steer away from beer and wines. (I also get migraines, so this in addition to the pain limits me in terms of what types of alcohol I can tolerate already.) I find it interesting that some of you mentioned sugary drinks and/or mixers. I've been under the impression that there might be a correlation as well! My go-to alcohol is Vodka at this point. I drink so little that I'm not really sure whether I am just making stuff up in regards to how I can tolerate it - maybe there's a difference between potato, wheat and rye - but it's hit or miss sometimes and I really think it has something to do with the stuff they mix the Vodka with (fruity things might be tricky?!). I really hope that I am not dealing with anything serious - especially since I've had this for many years. I had so many unrelated tests in the meantime (brain MRI, comprehensive blood tests, entire CT scan of abdomen and also an ultrasound of the entire abdomen), that I'm hoping I'm overall fine. It's sometimes annoying from a social perspective as I cannot just drink whatever and be merry - but then there are times when I'm doing fine on Vodka. At least something. Looking forward to more posts on this thread.
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I have the same thing but not every time I have alcohol it depends on what I've been eating through the day as to how severe the pain was on drinking the alcohol if I've eaten well the pain is less if I haven't eaten it is worse I put it down to my gallbladder as I have just been diagnosed with inflamed gallbladder and stones so anyone with this problem I advise you to get an ultrasound of your gallbladder I'm about to have mine taken out and will come back in a few months so let you know for my symptoms have gone!!
Thank you I think I have the answer I can't wait to get my gallbladder out!!
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Same as me I suggest you have an ultrasound on your gallbladder
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I have the same thing but not every time I have alcohol it depends on what I've been eating through the day as to how severe the pain was on drinking the alcohol I put it down to my gallbladder as I have just been diagnosed with inflamed gallbladder and stones so anyone with this problem I advise you to get an ultrasound of your gallbladder I'm about to have mine taken out and will come back in a few months so let you know for my symptoms have gone!!
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I was also starting to think it might be the sugar as it only happens for me with sweet alcoholic beverages
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Interesting - this started for me about 8 years ago and only seems to happen with strong fruity drinks. I'm fine with plain beer or wine. I think it happens when I chug the drink because it doesn't taste strong but actually is strong. I thought it was just on an empty stomach but I've had it happen a few times after my meal.  First, my stomach feels a little sick then my shoulders and neck start cramping or feeling pain.
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I had a sangria this evening at dinner, and I began having the pain rising to through the chest, into the shoulders, and down the arms to the hands.  My arms were very weak so I could barely bring a glass of water to my lips.  I considered going to the ER because I was in so much discomfort.  My heart rate increases to about 100 bpm and I felt flushed.  After about 20 minutes I began feeling better.

This happens with rum drinks and when I eat certain fruits, like watermelon.  Has been happening for years, but the intensity seems to be greater.

I'm puzzled, but it seems I'm not alone.  Anyone experience this when eating watermelon?
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1 Comments
Debi77 posted something similar regarding watermelons back in Sept 2013.
Avatar universal
I've had this since I was 3 or 4 - it's the lemonade in my case (wasn't drinking that early on!)
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the same thing happens to me also. It happens very randomly only after a few sips of any type of alcohol my shoulders my back start to lock up and I become very nauseous. Upon my own research is that one's body can have an active or inactive allergy to the grain in alcohol and we never know when its active.  I'm not sure how much this is true as I am NOT a medical doctor but I choose not to drink anymore due to the excruciating pain that is caused when I drink. A doctor told me to drink milk 3 hours prior to me wanting to drink I tried this once for a wedding and I had no pain. But unless it's a very special occasion I will not drink.
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I am exactly the same. Had that nearly all my life. Also learned that it is mostly the sugar in alcohol rich drinks. I can drink a wine or beer or a coqnac or a whiskey but not mix it with sugar loaden drinks. Drink it straight or have a soda water on the side.
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I get this too. About 10 mins after drinking any alcohol I get a mild headache and very stiff / painful shoulder muscles ( trapezium area ). I rarely drink now because of it. I have also noticed that I am much more prone to it when I'm tired. Occasionally I also get an upset stomach, and sometimes I feel anxious and uneasy. As I only drink at night time, I have it when I go to bed, then it has gone in the morning. I have mentioned it to my Dr, and all they can suggest is don't drink. Thanks for posting your original comment, because I was starting to think I was the only one. I have been experiencing this set of symptoms on drinking alcohol for nearly 30 years, so I'm happy that it isn't indicative of anything life threatening.
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I have the same thing happen. This is the third time it has happened. I drank about four or five vodka coolers. Then I got severe pain in my stomach and in my left shoulder area. It is excruciatingly painful!  This is new to me. I noticed someone posted about hypothyroidism is a link, also being low in b12. I have a hypothyroid and I was recently low in b12 and have begun taking supllements. I am 46 and did not drink for almost 20 years because of being involved with things where I could not drink. I find I am very sensitive to alcohol and will often have the runs the next day if I have some. Esp if it is a malt type of drink, Summersby was the kind that gave me problems two weeks ago.  All his is new to me. Could it be that because my body had no alchohol for such a long time that it has developed intolerances?  I don't drink a great deal, but enjoy having some sometimes, but the pain just doesn't seem worth it.  Not questions for you necessarily, just more for the general community.
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THANK YOU!!
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This happens to me also. But it is in my neck and shoulder. But I didn't have the problem anymore when I didn't drink. I have also injured my neck and shoulder twice. About a  week ago if I ate more then a cup of food at mealtime I would get it so bad I can't even finish eating. I was looking for answers for this problem when I found all of these comments.
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This is all interesting stuff.  Last night, I had a glass of wine, the pain was excrutiating and I almost went to the ER.  It was a debilitating pain, and on a scale of 1-10....a 20.  It lasted for about 40 minutes but it subsided as time passed.  I layed on the bed, and didn't want to move.  This morning, I still feel pain in the middle of my abdomen, right where the pancreas is located.  I'm going to get things checked out.  Could be pancreatitis, cholecystitis (gall bladder), liver, or who knows - lymphoma.  It hasn't happened often, but it has happened before.  This time, it was worse than it's ever been, radiating up to my shoulders, neck, and jaw, and my anterior chest and abdomen.  I need to go on a cleansing diet too, as I have too much yeast going through my system as evidenced by the eczema on my skin.  I think this will help.  I am going to see my doc soon.  
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Avatar universal
I have the same problem as well: I also hate beer, and tend to go for twisted teas/lemonades, and other "girly" drinks. Within 30 minutes I'll get a sudden, sharp, blinding pain in both sides of my neck, and both shoulders, especially around my collarbones. The first time it happened it was so intense that it literally knocked the breath out of me and I fell to the floor. I almost had to go to the hospital because of it. I was able to manage the pain with Tylenol and eating a few crackers though. That seems to help each time it happens, although I do not drink all that often, mainly due to this pain. It also seems to subside completely after about 30 minutes to an hour, even if I continue drinking. I am definitely planning on seeing a doctor soon, as the pain can be really terrible. Best of luck to everyone else out there with this problem. Although I wouldn't which that pain on anyone, it is slightly comforting in a way to know that I am not alone with this problem.
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Avatar universal
I was searching up on this as I have experienced this pain for years. There is one thing no one has mentioned and that it sugar intolerances. For example fructose and sucrose. I have fructose malabsorption, meaning that I cannot have a lot of this sugar as it causes me intestinal problems similar to IBS, pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.
The liver is the organ that takes care of breaking down fructose. Add in alcohol and the liver ends up overworked.
Most juices and fruity alcoholic drinks have fructose in them, and if you are intolerant to having them then this causes problems.
I get the radiating pain when I drink any fruity drinks in large amounts, and by large amounts, I mean two standard cups is enough for me. (Not to mention the other problems later on).
Some alcohols contain these sugars on their own, so add it all together with juices and even one drink can do me in.
If anyone has similar symptoms to me then get a referral from your doctor for testing, could help out a lot.
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I have learned that I cannot drink any alcoholic drink that has sugar in it. If I do, i get immense pain from my neck, down through my right arm, and the right side of my body.  The best way i can explain how the pain feels, is to compare it to brain freeze (as in when you drink a slushie too fast and get brain freeze). I am 45 years old, have drank moderately since I was 18, and have had this problem for the past ten years. Obviously, the best solution is to stop drinking. But, since I prefer not to stop drinking, I have found a solution that works for me. I drink vodka mixed with unsweetened iced tea.  If i drink a wine cooler, this is what would happen:  Within 10 seconds, I would start to sweat uncontrollably, would get heartburn, would start to breath very heavily, and within 30 seconds, I would be doubled over, crying in the worst pain I have ever felt (except for labor pains) in my entire life, and it would last about 3 to 5 minutes, and then, just as suddenly as the pain started, it would be gone
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thank you for your comment.  I have done some research and feel that this is the most logical reason for my pain.  I have had my gall bladder removed and believe this sphincter dysfunction is now the issue.  No Hodgkins for me thank goodness!
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I'm so glad I'm not the only one that's gets this and thanks to everyone for posting !!! I have not got this all the time. I am a drinker not every night but I do enjoy a drink twice or three times a week and I have had this a few times in the last 5 years. It last about 10/15 minutes and its in my right shoulder and just on the top of my arm and some weird feeling around the chest. It does make me want to go to bed because it feels horrible. One time I did have it in my left shoulder shooting down through the whole arm and tight chest pain. It scared the **** out of me because that was my first time.
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I've had this all my life, my mother, sister and aunt also,  be dead by now if it was cancer, but I am not a big drinker...just occasionally.  I am a nurse and was also curious about this...I've come to the conclusion that it causes a spasm in the sphincter of oddi.  Never last over an hour..usually just about 15 minutes for me.  Sphincter of oddi reactions can make you feel like you are having a gallbladder attack and some people feel like they are having a heart attack when they have a gallbladder attack.  I actually was giving morphine after surgery and had the same kind of attack.  Dr. agreed it was making the gallbladder or sphincter contract and cause pain.
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Hello, I had this symptom since December of last year. I would start drinking and 10-15 minutes after my first sip, I would have a lot of pain in my upper-back region, like someone was stabbing me and then after 15-20 minutes it would stop. I saw a doctor about this in March and he told me I had an alcohol intolerence.

Lymph node started to get bumpy in September and I learned I had Hodgkin's disease type 4 December 20th. Starting chemo thursday.

Before the lymph node in my neck, this was the only symptom of the cancer. Don't **** around with that. It's a rare symptom in only 2%-3% of the people with Hodgkin's.
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