Sharp sudden pain in clavicle lasting 15-45 minutes, 2-3 times/week?

[megritlee]

I'm a 29 year old female.  For about three months I've had this thing where I get a sharp stabbing sudden pain at my left collarbone.  It lasts anywhere from 15-45 minutes and can bring me to my knees--I have to stop what I'm doing at work.  Sometimes it also shoots up along my neck and behind my ear.  This happens 2-3 times a week on average, but sometimes 2-3 times in one day.  Twice, when it lasted a rather long time, my shoulder/armpit/upper arm has been very sore the next day as if I had done something strenuous.  I have had no injury to that area.  I thought it may be from stress initially, but it just keeps coming back.  I went to an urgent care clinic (I recently moved and don't have a primary doc), but the doc just massaged my shoulders/neck and gave me some muscle relaxers. That was about two months ago.  Neither helped.  It just makes me nervous.  Any ideas?

[Michael L Gross, MD]

May be related. Either way probably relates to some problem with the AC joint. I would treat with Ice and NSAIDs and see how it responds.

[megritlee]

Hi Dr. Gross.  Thanks for responding.  The pain is more toward my shoulder.  I probably should have added that I was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease last year after breathing problems and then blood tests came back "strong for Lupus."  

thanks!

[Michael L Gross, MD]

if the pain is at the end of your clavicle by the shoulder, you may have arthritis of the acromio-clavicular joint. If the pain is at the center, wher the clavicle meets the breast bone, the problem my be with the sternoclavicular joint.  let me know which it is.