Left shoulder pain/ dull ache/burning- help

[Haileys Mom]

I am hoping someone can provide some insight. Two months ago, while at work (sit at a microscope for 8 hrs. a day for 10 yrs. now), I noticed some twinges in my L breast. I just assumed hormonal, but then I started getting twinges in my L shoulder, which turned into a dull aching and sometimes burning sensation. The area that it started out in was the side of the shoulder in the back, like under the arm. Imagine lifting your arm up, and right beneath your armpit, you rub the vertical area underneath. Now, two months later, the pain has progressed to sometimes on the top of my arm, the muscle. I seem to notice it more when I'm at my desk working.

Dr. visits have not diagnosed the problem. So far I've had a diagnostic mammogram (good) and a chest xray (good). The chest xray showed some slight curvature to the spine, but other than that, good. Of course because I've had some tingles and shooting sensations in my left breast, my mind starts to "connect" the two and worry that it is cancer. Dr. says that is highly unlikely and that it sounds like muscles or nerves, myofascial pain, etc.

Each day I wake up thinking positively, but then the pain rears its head and I start to worry again. Why isn't it going away? I can't figure out what's going on.

I'm 38 years old and have a one year old, that I am picking up constantly. I have a sit down job at a microscope that I am in a fixed position. Could poor posture be to blame? This is so strange. Sometimes, the area itches and the back of my shoulder blade itches, too. Tingles and twinges once in a while. What should I do?

[Determination12]

Hello Everyone:  I am 55 years old and have been dealing with all the above pain, numbness, tingling, burning and cramps for 18 years.  I have taken prednosone, neurontin, PT, massages etc and it may  go away temporary but "always" returns.  I have an autoimmune disease and not sure if it is associated with it.  The extreme fatigue from a lack of sleep is really bothersome and is effecting all aspects of my life.

I have decided to apply for disability because it effects the quality of work I produce.

[Spokenheart]

Hi PlumSweetUSA,
Please let me know if the B vitamins work for you.  I have such a hard time falling asleep, with the stabbing pain in my left upper breast - through to my back. When I do manage to fall asleep I usually wake up about 4 hours later with the pain magnified even more. So unbearable. It's driving me insane.  I've had numerous deep tissue/muscle massages and can't understand why the muscles won't respond and start to relax.  

[Spokenheart]

Whoops, forgot to mention (in my previous post) my PT also said that rounding my shoulders and lurching my neck forward (extensive computer usage, bad posture, and weak back) creates a tension across my chest which  radiates under my arm and pulls on my back muscles.  This is where the pain and tightness in my chest, my underarm, my back and the tingling and numbness down my left arm occur.  He gave me hope that I'm not "broken" and my pain can be resolved with PT sessions, Thai (stretching) massage, less computer and texting usage, and more "doing" of my suppressed desires.  ;)   I'm open to his advice because the three trips to the emergency room, over the past year and a half, didn't bring any answers - other than a stress and anxiety diagnosis.  

[Spokenheart]

Great post Sherry.  Along with having the same symptoms posted on this site (for about 4 months now), I too am desperate for answers and relief.  

I just went to a fabulous (Eastern medicine) physical therapist three days ago who blew me away with this diagnosis... He told me the left side of the body represents "female negative energy" (this applies to men also) which builds up stress and tension and manifests itself physically when we are constantly thinking, thinking, thinking, about things we want to do, need to do, wish we could do, but don't do.  He told me I need to start "doing."  He hit the nail on the head with that comment.  (I actually had two emotional breakdowns during the PT session.)  

The past 13 years have been extremely stressful for me, including depression and lots of anger over my life circumstances that I felt I couldn't control, or get out of, due to financial lack.  The only thing I could/can afford to do is "think."  "Think" about how to get myself out of the situation I am in.  "Think" about how to leave my current (unhappy) relationship of 13 years - with the father of my daughter, and get a place of my own for my daughter and I.  "Think" about how to make more money in order to do that.  "Think" about how all of my dreams and wishes for my life have not come to fruition.  "Think" about taking more time out for my own self care.  "Think" about the type of relationship I wish I were in, "Think" about the type of love I wish I could experience in a new relationship.  "Think" about how I can be a better mother.  "Think" about being able to make my own way in the world and not have to rely on a man to take care of me financially.  The list goes on and on.  I think you get the point.  

Anyway, the PT said I need to learn to quiet my brain (stop thinking about my "stuff") and start DOING the things I want and desire to do.  Men don't suffer (with the physical pains mentioned in these posts) as much as women do, because by nature men are more "doers" than thinkers.  We women "think" we have to do it all, and be it all.  When in fact it is impossible to be everything to everyone, all the time.  

I know my post might sound crazy to some/most, but when the PT told me I need to start doing (taking action) on the things that are holding me back, it hit me like a ton of bricks.   So if you have been to doctor after doctor, had test after test, and still don't have any "medical" answers for your symptoms and pain, then maybe my post may apply to you.   How many things are you currently "thinking" you want/need to accomplish in your life, but are not "doing" anything about?  Oh boy, just one more thing for us to "think" about.  LOL  (Hey, laughter is good for the soul and for pain relief - so feel free to laugh right now.)  
By the way, if anyone reading this lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and wants to meet for coffee to discuss this and create a plan of action for ourselves, let me know.
Jodie

[PlumSweetUSA]

I gather from my symptoms & all of the comments here that this pain is nerve related. So, i"ve had the left shoulder blade, shoulder down the left arm like inflamed ulna nerve in elbow & chest pain above left breast. It's so painful that pain meds & muscle relaxers don't help. Ice, heat, no relief. So I ordered some B6, B12 & B-complex to see if these help. I know B6 is good for nerves so I'm hoping something helps because after almost 2 weeks I'm very tired (lack of sleep as well) of this awful pain. I read on another site that it could be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I'm hoping my usual cortisone shots for bursitis in rt. shoulder but adding the left side will help. I see my rheumatologist in a couple of weeks. I'm 71, female & have many other health problems including polymyalgia (fibro only all over). I get diabetic neuropathy at times but never this feeling of having an arrow or bullet shot thru my left shoulder blade coming out my chest & pain down entire rt. arm. I haven't done anything to injure my back or arm. Too many chemicals  toxins in our environment & food cause problems we may not have had before too. Good luck everyone. God bless

[moby935]

I damaged my neck now over 13 years ago using a Smith machine doing calf raises and incorrectly putting a huge weight on my neck and then this set off the burning sensation in my neck and shoulder (that’s the theory) and it certainly flares up if I sit at the computer where I tend to tilt my head back, even riding a push bike or motorbike where one tends to lean forward and then look up causes the burn/tingle to increase to very uncomfortable levels.  I have never found any chiropractor, bowen or even ‘slap two dead fish over you whilst chanting’ type remedies do anything.  Sure - a massage can make the area feel ok for a very short while, but the only thing I ever found that alleviates the burning/tingle is traction – the trouble is getting traction that is safe and effective as too little is a waste of time and too much – DO NOT DO IT BY YOURSELF.  I can assure you I had a severe form of traction applied to my neck and then my pain disappeared for about 3 years, its back now but not as severe and my own fault for not taking care of things.  When working on a computer, adjust the chair as high as practical and look slightly down at the screen and this will take even a slight backwards bend out of your neck and help stop or prevent the pain.  Once you start to think about your head position, it’s amazing how often one tends to tilt the head back and just getting rid of that posture can be a great help.  If you more often look down at things instead of up – and I mean even slightly, it can help.