Sharp Pain under right shoulder blade

[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 10/20/04MR 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.

[Lilkim703]

A few thoughts...

First, do you find any correlation between your breathing and the pain under your shoulder blade?  If so, you may want to have a lung CT.

Second, as Tuck mentioned, you may have myofascial pain.  I had similar pain under my shoulder blade and upper/mid back and I was recently prescribed Lyrica which has helped me tremendously.  Even though I do not have fibromyalgia because my pain in specifically located and began after surgery, this drug has helped me tremendously and has been a good alternative vs. opoids.  

Lastly, Tuck's suggestion of another MRI is a good idea if possible.  I know that pain radiating down your arm can be a symptom of cervical vertabrae problems.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mae,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you have found us. I am so sorry to hear about your difficult and unsuccessful journey searching for a solution to your chronic pain.

I am not a physician, none of us on this forum are experts. We are all chronic pain sufferers with different backgrounds, different cultures and experiences but we all have on thing is common, we have chronic pain. So we support one another the best we can and offer suggestions and information.

I wonder how recently you have had an MRI? If you have not had one in over a year I would suggest that you have another, with contrast. Things can change and some time a problem does not show up on an early MRI, especially without contrast.

I also suggest that you see another orthopedic surgeon or an orthopedist. Obviously the first one was concerned enough to want to do surgery.  

Is your Physiatrist saying you have Myofascial Pain Syndrome? Is so that used to be used interchangeably with Fibromyalgia. I would ask that question of him. I don't understand why he is not taking your pain more seriously and treating the pain if he is not able to treat the condition? I am not saying this PMP is not treating you correctly. I just think you should not have to "live with" the type of pain you are experiencing. Have you considered seeing another PMP?

I think you have several options. But please don't give up. Search for the cause of your pain. I gave up and pay for it every day. It was a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) that finally diagnosed and now treats my chronic painful condition.  Have you been seen by a DO? In my state we are not treated and followed by PMP.

Others will post and offer more suggestions. Please stay with us and become an active member of our community. We are here to support you.

Take Care,
Tuck