chronic left rhomboid pain. lasted 3 years now.

[funorie]

i'm 17 and was diagnosed with a rhomboid spasm/strain when i was 14. at the time of diagnosis i was an active competitive swimmer. the doctor only gave me ungodly amounts of muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory meds. i took six weeks off of swimming and it didn't help one bit. though the pain became manageable and i became used to it there was still a constant tightness. i returned to swimming and after the first practice the spasm and pain was back. after that i joined the flag corps at school. i realize that probably did me more harm than good. after that i went to a sports medicine doctor. he told me to take eight weeks off of swimming and do physical therapy. he actually told me flag corps was GOOD for my shoulder. physical therapy was a WASTE OF TIME. they told me the problem was in my rotator cuff and only did work to strengthen that. the rhomboid pain worsened.

after quitting physical therapy i went to a chiropractor. he only prescribed adjustments which did no good.

now i have tightness and knots all up and down my left scapula, on the back of my shoulder, and some on my right scapula. i can no longer stand with my shoulders straight because all of the most painful knots are behind my scapula and when i stand straight my scapula pushes on the knots.

now i have just learned to live with the pain. and i have found if i am careful i can make the pain lie "dormant", but something as simple as opening a door too hard with my left arm sets everything off again. i have just recently had a massage...and i now know something is REALLY wrong because when the therapist found my knots she said "holy ****!!!! what is that!?"

the massage has set off the pain again btw.

someone please help me! i can't deal with the back pain anymore! i have forgotten what it feels like to NOT be in pain. =(

[nick30]

Hi there,
I had severe muscular troubles at a young age too. I also went through all the treatments you've listed and all the meds etc.
the thing that ended up helping most was learning to relax my muscle spasms with my mind. It is possible(over time) to get to know your own body well enough that you can have very good control over spasms that seem to be out of control.
There isn't a way that i can tell you how best to do it, but perhaps a few yoga classes might give you some ideas.
I never take muscle relaxants anymore(although i do take anti-inflammitories)and my spasms have nearly dissappeared.
keep up hope, there is a way out of this(and the pain the spasms can cause).
you say with effort you can make the pain lie dormant, this makes me think you will be able to learn to better control these spasms over time.
I wish you the best of luck. come back and let us know if you need more help.
Nick.

[sandee1818]

Hi funorie,
   I believe you need to see an orthopedist immediately and have the correct test done and get a correct diagnosis so that you can be treated properly.
Your primary care doctor can refer you to one and then go from there. have you talked to your parents about how painful this has become? It is very important to have a good doctor who will stop at nothing to find the correct diagnosis so you can get some relief.
You are so young and have your whole life ahead of you and you certainly want to live without the awful pain your experiencing now so have your Mom make the phone calls to get the ball rolling for you.
I hope your doing better very soon:)
Please let us know how your doing and if you have any questions please feel free to ask or if you just want to talk we are here for you.