Chronic shoulder pain for 6 years
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi,
I have searched the forums here, and basically everywhere, but I cannot find anything resembling my condition. My hope is that someone has experienced something similar.
For 6 years, I have been experiencing shoulder pain. At first, it would come and go. I assumed it was from writing on a whiteboard. After an ultrasound, I was diagnosed with calcific tendonitis (which later turned out to be a misdiagnosis). I started doing PT, accupuncture, electro accupuncture, traction, hot/cold...you name it, I have done it, with no relief.I have had xrays, MRI's (not specifically of the shoulder, but its coming up in March and I would like to hear from others whatthey think) and ultrasounds. Recently, things have taken a very VERY painful turn. My shoulder, in the back, close to the armpit, is in constant burning pain. This sometimes extends to the elbow and forearm, but there is no hand involvement. Pulling up pants, getting up out of a chair or trying to lay down sends jolts of awful pain down my arm. Visibly, my trap on that side looks raised and my collarbone area is so swollen you cant even see it. The strange part is i have a full range of motion of my shoulder with minimal pain, other than what i described above. But wait! There's more!
The pain now is across the back side of my ribcage. Coughing, sneezing or twisting sends stabbing pain through the entire area (and shoulder), so much so that i cry out in pain from it. Now, I have noticed that when I wake in the morning my hip joints are very painful (they also wake me from sleep), but once im up and moving, they dont hurt at all. I sometimes experience headaches and tooth pain on the same side. The pain is strong some days and milder the next. It doesnt seem to follow any weather patterns as far as I can tell. This pain has brought me to my knees. I had to quit my job. OTC pain relievers and Tramadol do absolutely nothing to ease it. My new neurologist gave me Lamictal, but it also doesnt work.
Sorry for this exceedingly long post. If anyone has a similar experience, or any idea what this could be please write!
0 likes, 15 replies
henpen1980 jo06925
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jo06925 henpen1980
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Thanks for your response. I've seen 8 doctors, and none of them can tell me whats wrong (orthopedic/neurology/neurosurgeon). I was just hoping if anyone had something similar, they could make a suggestion.
ricochetred jo06925
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You probably have multiple things going on. not everything can be bundled up neatly into a specific diagnosis. Sounds like your probably have postural issues going on. Postural deviations tend to creep up on us over the years and unaddressed progress to a boiling point. I think You have hit the boiling point and continue to boil. You might seek out a therapist skilled in Myofascial Release. just google that and start doing some reading. Myofascial Release looks at the symptoms but looks elsewhere for the cause. You might have a rib out of joint, maybe an entrapment of nerve or tissue...tears from repetitive motion...inflammation or all of the above. When diagnostic tests are negative (x rays, blood tests, MRI's etc) the cause is often myofascial restrictions. There is a website www.myofascialrelease.com that has a find a therapist application. There are probably other myofascial practitioners listed so you can find someone near you. Good that you are getting the MRI. It's always good to have to rule out pathology. I hope you get some answers and some relief soon.
jo06925 ricochetred
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Thank you so much for your thorough reply! I have heard of myofascial release, and i've used it with varying degrees of success. I live in asia, so I've also done accupuncture, cupping, and had professional trigger point release done by a TCM masseuse. Unfortunately the relief is short lived. When I do it myself it's always ok for a few days, but the pain seems to worsen. I certainly should work on my posture. I always try to be diligent about it but that could very well be part of the problem. I used to be a teacher, so I assumed it possible that the overhead movements were the issue, but it is strange that my ROM is mostly fine.
There were findings on ultrasound, although not on xray, and I had soundwave therapy for that. My husband and I both saw it (they give you a printout of it here, like when you get a pregnancy ultrasound...weird huh?) which is why I was diagnosed with calcified tendonitis. Since that time, i've been seeing an orthopedic doctor with a PT clinic attached, but the PT hasnt helped. I did find some relief at first. I would go for 3 months, the pain would lessen, then the doctor would declare everything was fine, i'd go back to life for a week or two and it would return.
The other thing I didnt mention in this post is I also get a rash on the palm of my hands and soles of my feet. I didnt think this was important, but i'm starting to wonder if this is all connected in some way. For now, until I can get in for my shoulder MRI I will certainly be using myofacsical release as much as I can. I know the people here aren't doctors, but are all trying to help each other, which I truly appreciate. Thank you so much!
Mehab jo06925
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jo06925 Mehab
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Thanks so much for your reply! I had an MRI of my c-spine and there were no findings. Honestly, I'm not sure I trust the hospital where I had it done. I was referred back and forth from orthopedics to neurology 3 times! Actually since this post I have noticed that my clavicle on that side is also swollen and my sternum is feeling very tender.
In the past I had xrays of my shoulder, but I'm starting to wonder if they focused on the shoulder part and there could be something wrong with my clavicle which had been missed. Turning my head to the side doesnt hurt. The movements that exasperbate the condtion are: pulling up movements like putting on pants or starting a lawnmower. Also, trying to get up from a lying of sitting position. The pain is not on my shoulder blade, so one of (the many) doctors said its likely not rotator cuff. I wish I could attach a photo. My shoulder blades are straight, but I have a visible depression in one shoulder. My shoulders are also not rounded forward.
What a mystery! I'll post back when I find out what is going on. I tried the above commentors suggestion and suffered dearly for it yesterday with shooting pains in my jaw. Thank you so much for your suggestion, I appreciate your reply so much.
henpen1980 jo06925
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So posture wise you are straight with your shoulders dropped and shoulder blades pinched? ricochetred what do you think? Have you been tested for Lyme's disease? Any other disease or syndrome that would echo your symptoms? Ruled out cancer? Nothing compressing your spine? Can you isolate your systems into categories?
henpen1980 jo06925
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henpen1980
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jo06925 henpen1980
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Yes, my shoulders are straight, but there is a clear depression. Never been tested for Lymes, that scared the crap out of me, moreso than cancer honestly. I thought lymes would manifest more like difficulty walking, slurred speech etc.
As far as cancer, I have had 5 xrays of that area, so I assume if I had lung cancer it would show up. I was pregnant just last year, so I also assume that kind of thing would probably show up in bloodwork. I only had my c~spine mri'ed, so im not sure about other areas. I was personally leaning towards brachial neuritis, but none of the neurologists have suggested it.
You mean my symptoms? I'm not sure what you mean by isolate into categories?
jo06925 henpen1980
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Its been going on 6 years, so flu seems unlikely and I dont have any symptoms of malaria. I'm not sure if this is allowed, but here is a link to some photos:
https://i.imgur.com/zw9Q0ti.jpg
jo06925 henpen1980
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and yes, there is one very rare disease that matches my symptoms, but with it being so rare, im doubtful for it to be the cause. I'm going to request to be tested for it anyway.
Thank you so much, that means a lot!
jo06925
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I just wanted to stop back, in case someone ever had a similar issue and wanted to know my outcome.
Finally, I found a doctor who was willing to do an MRI of my shoulder. I have a cyst in my shoulder, shoulder edema, and a possible humeral head fracture. The doctor I saw was a neurologist, so he has sent me for further care with an orthopedic surgeon.
I also did an autoimmune panel. I had a borderline ANA, but nothing is showing up yet in testing. My family has a long history of autoimmune disease, so my Rheumatologist suspects something is happening, but right now is in the early stages and we will have to test again in 6 months. My Rheumatoid factor was just at borderline (10) and he said it would usually be pretty high if it was positive, so we will reevaluate.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to this question. I really appreciated your thoughts!
ashleyp jo06925
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Great to hear you found what's wrong! It's horrible to have something wrong with you and be made to feel like it's a condition unknown to science.
philip26607 jo06925
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