Discomfort in the Shoulder Blade
I'm a Caucasian male, standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 235 pounds. I do not smoke, consume alcohol, or use drugs. For the past three years, I've been consistent with my workouts, hitting the gym four to five times a week. Over the past week, I've been experiencing an unusual discomfort around my shoulder blade. This pain occasionally radiates to other areas, including my chest. Unfortunately, my condition hasn’t improved during this time; it has remained fairly consistent, peaking on the third day. Concerned, I visited urgent care where my EKG results were normal. Subsequently, I was referred to the emergency room, but they primarily focused on evaluating my kidneys through a blood test, which returned normal results. Strangely, they did not perform any heart tests, CT scans, or additional assessments. I’m left puzzled; do they genuinely believe it’s just a minor back injury, or did they simply want to dismiss me without adequate treatment? What should I consider as my next course of action? I’m happy to provide further information if needed. On the morning of the peak discomfort, I decided to go to the gym and had a back workout (which I now regret). However, during and immediately after exercising, I felt relief from the pain, leading me to question whether this is indeed a muscular issue. The most intense pain struck around 2 AM, preventing me from sleeping due to the discomfort radiating across my back. I returned to the ER where I received a pain relief injection in my arm; about an hour later, the pain subsided significantly, localizing back to its original point. This sensation feels different from any muscle pain I’ve previously experienced and seems to originate internally. Additionally, I notice discomfort when I take deep breaths, as if there’s something forcing against my lungs.
Answers (1)
7/6/2025, 9:30:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you're actively seeking clarity about your discomfort. Given your symptoms and the investigations you've undergone, it’s understandable to feel puzzled about the cause of your shoulder blade pain, especially with the radiating discomfort and its interference with sleep.
Summary of Key Points:
- Your symptoms, such as the shoulder blade discomfort radiating to the chest and deep breathing pain, could stem from various issues involving muscles, nerves, or possibly other internal structures.
- The normal EKG and kidney tests are reassuring but do not rule out all possible causes.
- The fact you experienced pain relief post-exercise suggests it might be musculoskeletal, yet your specific sensations warrant further evaluation.
Explanation:
Discomfort in the shoulder blade region can arise from several sources:
- Musculoskeletal Origin: This could include muscle strain, irritation of nerves, or even issues related to posture, especially considering your workout routine.
- Referred Pain: Your pain could be referred from another area, such as the heart or lungs, although less likely given your normal tests.
- Internal Issues: Since you mentioned discomfort when breathing deeply, it may be worthwhile to consider additional evaluations for lung-related issues or any internal muscular issues.
Next Steps:
-
Continue Monitoring Symptoms: Keep track of when the pain worsens or improves, especially concerning any physical activity. Take note if it changes with posture, breathing, or activity.
-
Modify Physical Activity: While you felt some relief when working out, pay attention to how your body responds. Consider lighter exercises focusing on flexibility, stretching, and core strengthening instead of heavy lifting until you have clarity on the underlying issue.
-
Pain Management Techniques:
- Rest: Ensure to give your muscles some time to recover. Avoid activities that exacerbate the pain.
- Heat/Ice Therapy: Apply heat or ice packs on the affected area to alleviate discomfort.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Consider using NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) as directed, unless contraindicated for you.
-
Follow-Up Care:
- Request Further Evaluation: Given your ongoing concerns, consider reaching out to your primary care provider or a specialist (like an orthopedic or neurologist) for a thorough examination including possible imaging studies (like an MRI or ultrasound).
- Ask for Referral to Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can assess your mobility and strength, suggest exercises, and potentially identify contributing factors to your pain.
Please remember to listen to your body and prioritize your comfort and well-being. If symptoms significantly worsen (like increased chest pain, difficulty breathing, or new symptoms), seek immediate medical attention.
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
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!
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.