Unexpected Pain Between the Shoulder Blade and Spine
Yesterday, I experienced a sudden onset of discomfort located between my shoulder blade and spine. Strangely, this sensation arose out of nowhere during the day; I had not felt any pain before. The ache persists even when I am at rest, and applying ice to the area does not provide any relief. I also notice that my breathing feels constrained, and it becomes painful, especially when I cough. Although I don’t have any chest pain, I do experience occasional wheezing, which seems to exacerbate the discomfort. I can’t help but wonder if there might be an underlying structural issue, although I spent most of yesterday resting. Additionally, I had some pain in my left calf, which has since lessened. I'm not sure if these symptoms are connected or if there’s a larger concern affecting my left side. Does anyone have any insights into what might be causing this? I’m a 29-year-old female, weighing 176 pounds, and I don’t consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes, but I use cannabis daily. Currently, I’m not taking any medications aside from vitamin D3 every other day. My medical history includes COPD (early emphysema), complex dyslipidemia, orthostatic hypotension, psoriatic arthritis, and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS).
Answers (1)
6/22/2025, 7:40:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with quite a bit of discomfort, and I understand how concerning it can be when unexpected pain and breathing issues arise. Based on your description, there are a few potential causes for the pain between your shoulder blade and spine and the accompanying breathing difficulties. The presence of your medical history, particularly COPD and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, may also play a role in your symptoms.
Main Points:
- Sudden pain and constrained breathing could indicate several issues, including musculoskeletal strain, inflammation, or even a respiratory concern.
- Your history of COPD presents additional considerations for any respiratory symptoms.
- Immediate attention is needed for your current discomfort and breathing challenges.
Explanation:
The sudden discomfort between your shoulder blade and spine might be muscular or related to your existing connective tissue condition (hEDS). Inflammation in the thoracic region can sometimes occur from strain or spasms. The wheezing and breathing restrictions could be related to your COPD, especially if there’s any inflammation or tightness in the airways.
It’s also important to consider that any new pain that affects your breathing should be evaluated promptly to rule out more serious conditions, such as a pulmonary issue or a cardiovascular concern, especially given the history of your conditions.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep track of your pain levels and breathing difficulties. Note any changes in symptoms, especially if they worsen.
- Rest: Ensure that you are resting adequately and avoiding any physical exertion that might exacerbate your symptoms.
- Breathing Exercises: Practice gentle breathing exercises to help manage the wheezing and improve airway flexibility. Consider sitting upright, inhaling deeply through your nose, and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
- Heat Therapy: If ice is not helping, you may try applying heat (like a warm compress) to the painful area to see if it provides any relief.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help thin mucus in your airways, which may alleviate some respiratory discomfort.
- Consider CBD/Cannabis Effects: If using cannabis, consider how it might impact your respiratory function, and monitor for any changes in your symptoms after usage.
If your symptoms do not improve rapidly, or if you experience increasing pain, severe shortness of breath, or any new concerning symptoms, it’s important to seek evaluation from a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!