left shoulder pain pain & anxiety

[kimfish]

I have been having what I thought were panic attacks ( I used to get them years ago) but the spells I have always start with pain under my left shoulder blade then immediately I experience extreme anxiety and shortness of breath. I have been to a cardiologist and he said my symptoms are aptypical for heart problems because I have no chest pain with exertion and my blood pressure and cholesterol are fabulous.
I have had some acid reflux in the past and these "spells" mostly seem to occur after eating. Not with exertion.
I have been writing it off to high anxiety and stress but the left shoulder pain symptom doesn't seem to fit in with anxiety. What do you think?


This discussion is related to Left shoulder blade pain for 2 years, still undiagnosed.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The symptoms could be exacerbation of the GERD.  It could also be hiatal hernia. Treatment is a combination of drugs to reduce the acid and lifestyle changes. You will need to take a combination of medications (under medical supervision) like a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole empty stomach in the morning and an antacid gel after meals for complete relief. Possibility of H pylori infection too should be looked into by a carbon urea breath test and a combination antibiotic tried. Many a times a persisting H pylori infection can be the cause behind acidity not responding to treatment.
Life style changes that will help include: Avoid heavy meals and eat frequent small meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, smoking, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Avoid lying down for least 2 hours after food. Maybe these tips will help you.
If these tips do not help, then liver function test, pancreatic enzymes, and HIDA scan for gall bladder should be done. Food intolerance and inflammatory bowel conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s, celiac etc should be considered.
You should consult a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system) or a physician for this if these tips reduce your symptoms. You may need upper GI endoscopy for confirmation and to know the degree of damage. Take care!

[M_Pounce]

Have you had x-rays done of your shoulder?  It may be anxiety, and what you're feeling is inflammation from tightening of muscles.  

And I know EXACTLY what you mean. I feel like I'm getting stabbed in my left shoulder every time I have an anxiety attack. It's a muscle spasm :(