Upper back pain with AF.

[stormcloud]

For last few weeks have been getting severe upper back pain mostly across right shoulder blade when in AF. This is new for me and wondering if anyone else gets this.

[mjames1]

Please have it checked out right away. It could be anything from muscular to GERD to more serious heart involvement. A good clinician will be able to sort things out rather than guessing.

Jim

[stormcloud in reply to mjames1]

Thank you for replying.I had the pain when taken to A and E a couple of weeks ago.Had blood tests and thoracic x-ray and all normal so told they didn't know the cause and nothing further suggested.

[mjames1 in reply to stormcloud]

That's very good news. They did a workup for a heart attack which is what they should have.

But keep looking because something else is wrong! Have they ruled out GERD? Muscular? Neither would show up on blood tests or a thoracic xray.

Just because they don't find something, doesnt mean nothing's going on

Jim

[stormcloud in reply to mjames1]

It's not GERD and doesn't feel muscular.It comes and goes and feels like a very severe ache but as soon as it stops there is no trace of pain.I know something is going on but no other tests were suggested.

[Autumn_Leaves]

Could be a problem with your gallbladder. Whatever it is, get it checked out.

[stormcloud in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Thanks for answering.Had blood tests and x-ray of spine but all normal and nothing else suggested.

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to stormcloud]

For suspected gallbladder pain, you need an ultrasound of your liver and gallbladder. Gallbladder pain often refers to the right shoulder blade area but if it only happens during AF then perhaps it could be AF-related. If you think it could have a cardiac origin you should definitely have it checked out to be on the safe side.

[LaceyLady in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Just what I was thinking. May need endoscopy. Gall bladder issues can come and go. Small stone can block the bile duct and one might think you’re having a heart attack.

[stormcloud in reply to LaceyLady]

Thanks for reply. I think if it was gall bladder related I would get pain at other times too not just when I have AF.

[LaceyLady in reply to stormcloud]

It may cause the AF

[pusillanimous in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

I come from a gall bladder family - I'm the only one of my 4 sisters and mother who has not had the problem None fit the clasiical description of Fair, Fat, Forty and Fertile. Fat they are not, but the others did not apply inother cases. My mother warned me as soon as I got any pain in the right hand upper back area, to consult a doctor !

[opal11uk]

This needs checking out again with your medic as it could very well be heart related, women often present with back pain in fact a friend of mine had a heart attack and she was having a heart attack so, it could be something or nothing but definitely get to checked out again at least to put your mind at rest.

[stormcloud in reply to opal11uk]

Thank you.

[Leechg]

If you only get it when in AF and they checked you out at the hospital it could well be a symptom of your AF. Pain is on the list of symptoms. All the best.

[stormcloud in reply to Leechg]

I think you are probably right.

[stormcloud]

Thank you. I have had AF for many years and this is something new.

[Catnut in reply to stormcloud]

I’ve have the same ache when I have an AF episode, usually under my left shoulder blade, and occasionally under my right one. I’ve had PAF for years like you, I’ve always assumed it was just a symptom, and not to stress over it?

But obviously check it out with your doctor too!

[stormcloud in reply to Catnut]

The pain kept me awake last night and paracetamol did nothing. Do you take anything for the pain?

[Ablation7 in reply to stormcloud]

I would get that sometimes and used a heating pad!

[Karendeena]

I posted recently about this as I had pain in both shoulders/arms when in afib that miraculously stopped when I reverted

[stormcloud in reply to Karendeena]

It's just that this is a recent thing for me and pain is severe but it's probably just the AF getting worse. Have been putting off pace and ablate for several years but think maybe the time has come!

[Dollcollector]

I get it. Severe pain across my shoulders that comes with afib and goes when l go back into n.s.r. My cardiologist told me that it is one of the symptoms of afib. Some unfortunate people get it and some don't. I had afib for a number of years before l started getting the pains. The cardiologist called it coat hanger syndrome as that is where the pain is , where a coat hanger would go, weird. Apparently it is not harmful.

[stormcloud in reply to Dollcollector]

Thank you that is reassuring. It might not be harmful but it is very painful and paracetamol is useless.Do you take any thing for the pain? It kept me awake all last night.

[Dollcollector in reply to stormcloud]

No , l find paracetamol doesn't do anything for any pain l have. I just put up with it. I am used to pain . I have had 3 hip replacements , arthritis in in every joint and slipped discs. I find a heating pad at the highest heat where your pain is, helps a bit. All the best.

[stormcloud in reply to Dollcollector]

You sound like me.I am always in pain too.One hip replaced,other one needs doing, arthritis everywhere, DDD, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Let's face it we are old and worn out but have to carry on as best we can.I am sure there are many people worse off.Keep smiling.Tomorrow will be a good day (hopefully).

[Murdy1 in reply to Dollcollector]

That's very reassuring to hear especially having heard it from your Cardiologist. Good health to you. Tom x

[Dollcollector in reply to Murdy1]

Thank you , the same to you. ..... Shirley x

[Ppiman]

I get similar but not so intense and on the left side, starting under my rib, running through to the back and shoulder blade area. I have had this since my arrhythmias started in 2019 on and off and at one time assumed it was gastric. Now I think it is the heart somehow reducing blood flow a little to the diaphragm area but, in the end, I've just had to accept it as it seems to lead to nothing else.

Right-sided pains can originate in the gall bladder, also, but yours sounds similar to my own in the way it links with heart issues.

Steve

[stormcloud in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve.It seems I am not alone with suffering this! I wonder what changes to cause this after many years of AF? Been offered pace and ablate again but very reluctant still.If only I knew that I would definitely feel better I would have it but there are no guarantees.Hope you are keeping reasonably well.

[Ppiman in reply to stormcloud]

I think I would be worried to do that, too. It must depend on the level of the symptoms, I suppose, and the frequency of the AF. I live in hope that mine will stay as infrequent as it’s been this past year. My main worry is to develop heart failure, which, I suppose, worries many of us here.

Steve

[stormcloud in reply to Ppiman]

My AF is now about every 3 days and lasting longer.Latest one was 22 hours and very symptomatic.Glad that yours is behaving quite well.

.

[Ppiman in reply to stormcloud]

That sounds pretty awful and, if you get that anxious feeling with it, too, that acts like a magnifying glass to the other symptoms I find.

Steve

[stormcloud in reply to Ppiman]

Yes, you are right and I do get anxious especially as I live alone.

[Ppiman in reply to stormcloud]

You have my sympathy. It can be awful to fear what might be around the corner. AF famously makes us feel like we might be going to die but… it’s anxiety that creates that feeling.

Steve

[Buffafly in reply to stormcloud]

What makes you think you might not feel better?

[stormcloud in reply to Buffafly]

My EP! He said that a lot of people will feel better but some may not so no guarantees.

[Buffafly in reply to stormcloud]

Most people who post on here seem to be very happy with the result so I’d take a chance on it myself if offered…..

[Quilter43]

I have upper back pain on.off..never thought from af..maybe cause

[stormcloud in reply to Quilter43]

This isn't like usual back pain.I have plenty of lower back pain from spinal stenosis.It came on suddenly while sitting down but also I started to feel unwell at the same time and BP shot up.