Sharp pain under right shoulder blade and near spine

[Mae500]

To Whom It May Concern:

Please help, I have found your website after many hours of research and need some additional guidance. I have been suffering from chronic pain (nerve related pain) for over 8 years now. The pain has gotten worse each year and is now constant and almost unbearable. I am a 32 year old female with two young girls and desperate for some relief. The sharp stabbing radiating pain started under my right shoulder blade, near the tip (scapula, I believe it is called). I also have a very tender and painful area (almost like a soft spot is all I can describe it as, but it takes my breath away to touch it) to the right of my spine in the middle of my back, parallel with the nerve pain.  After finishing 8 weeks (twice a week) of physical therapy, my pain has become even worse. It now radiates down the back of my right shoulder and arm, all around my shoulder blade and over to my spine.  I get some temporary relief from a someone scratching or pinching my back in those areas.

I started going to see an Orthopedic Doctor (was given cortisone shots, had an MRI,  toke anti-inflammatory medication and muscle relaxers, even a pain killer at times) 6-7 years ago, after almost a year and no relief, he wanted to do "Exploratory Surgery". So I stopped going to him and tried weekly massage therapy for a year with only temporary relief (couple of hours at the most).  Then started going to a Chiropractor, who adjusted me once to twice a week for close to two years, using cold packs (don't seem to help) and sleeping on a microfoam support pillow at night. After no luck with the Chiropractor, I got a personal trainer for 8 months...sometimes it seemed to only make things worse. I also, tried to make appointments to see a couple of different Neurologist, but they would not see me because nothing was found on my MRI. After that, I was told by my general physician to try a Pain Management Specialist (Physiatrist). I have been seeing him for over two months, doing physical therapy (he thinks it is muscle related), he prescribed me muscle relaxers and an anti-inflammatory, but now again feel that I am in more pain than ever, that it has gotten worse.  I have also, tried Bio Freeze and several other prescription patches and topical creams.

I don't know where to go or who to see, I am desperate in that the pain is so bad and so constant that I am having a hard time functioning as a mother and wife. I cry from the pain daily and it starting to scare my kids and my husband. Please HELP me.

P.S. Also,  I was diagnosed with a mild case of scoliosis when I was young, and the Physiatrist told me during one of my visits that my right shoulder and shoulder blade were substantially lower than my left.

MRI Notes from 10/20/04 MR THORACIC W/O
Technique: Sagittal T1 and T2 with axial proton density images of the thoracic spine were obtained.
Findings: No focal solid masses are identified within the posterior soft tissues or paraspinal musculature. The thoracic cord is normal in caliber and signal. Thoracic vertebrae are normal in height, alignment and marrow signal.  No focal disc herniation, cord compression, or central canal or foraminal stenosis is identified. Impression: Negative MRI of the thoracic spine without contrast.

[CoolerCat]

I have suffered from this type of pain for a very long while now as well. It seems to be aggravated by cracking my back backwards and it helps the pain when I worsen my posture by raising my right shoulder blade out of its normal resting position. I am a 17 yr old male, I have had this issue for the last 4-5 years. I have not had an MRI but have had numerous X-rays. I have been to see my family doctor, a doctor specializing in the spine, a neurologist who said the equivalent of "you are fat, lose weight and straighten you posture" and did nothing else, a physical therapist, and a massage therapist. Physical therapy made the pain worse, massage therapy gave me temporary relief that lasted 3 days after the first appointment and maybe 3 hours in the following appointments. He said that it seemed like my T6 vertebrae was "out of rotation" and that there was a thick mass on that side of the vertebrae, but X-rays since then have not showed anything abnormal. I seem to have exhausted all my options. If anyone has any advice, please post them.

[kittyluv1]

I am sorry to hear of your prolonged discomfort.  Your history of pain and attempts to find its source are quite extensive.  My only question is what other diagnostic tests have been done?  The MRI report which you documented is over 4 yrs old and is only of the thoracic spine.  Given all the doctors who you have consulted and treated with, were any further tests performed?  Seems that basing their medical decisions on a single MRI of limited scope is not appropriate --- didn't anyone want additional information?
You have seen every specialist available and no relief obtained.  Wish there were other options to give you at this time.  If the pain management specialist is unable to assist you it seems as if you have tried every mechanism at your disposal.
I would be asking for confirmation of additional diagnostic tests ----
Unfortunately, no medical doctors are participating in this forum and the members responses are primarily based on personal experiences.  I have not encountered the difficulties you have been challenged with and hopefully another member can give you more effective recommendations.
Best wishes ----