Sharp pain in shoulder and back

[Hali12]

Hello everyone

I was hoping if anyone could help me. Decide what I should do. Headache is still there. Now for the last couple of days I have been having sharp pain in the shoulder blades. And shortness of breath. I have asthma but this is nothing like an asthma attack. I know what asthma attack feelings like. My bld pressure is 111/80. My heart rate is 97. I have been resting for the past couple of hours. I also noticed that I had a funny feeling on my right side of the face. It has not improved. Can someone please guide me. Also I hate to go to the ER. FOR UNNECESSARY REASON THATS WHY IM ASKING.

[SheffieldJane]

You may actually have a chest infection or even pleurisy with those symptoms. You’d better at least let your GP listen to your chest. The headache and neuralgia could be part of a virus.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hali, I think you should go to the ER. I particularly don’t like the sound of what you describe as “a funny feeling” on the right side of your face. Of course it could perhaps be related to the biopsy - was that done on the same side of your face as the funny feeling? If this is Temporal Arteritis, you may need a higher steroid dose - having had a negative biopsy does not mean that you definitely don’t have TA because it is quite possible for the large cells they look for to escape the tiny portion of artery removed. Going to the ER is not an “unnecessary reason” when dealing with possible TA or any other potentially serious condition. Good luck!

[Hali12 in reply to Celtic]

Thank you. For ur concern and understanding what I’m going thru. Unfortunately I did not go to ER I’m home. Also what does TA mean. I don’t understand what that is. Sorry for being stupid

[SnazzyD in reply to Hali12]

Temporal arteritis, often used as the same as GCA

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hali12]

Not "stupid" at all, Hali - me being lazy! I assume if you didn't go to the ER that you might be feeling better - I do hope so.

[HeronNS]

What was done to treat that infection you described yesterday? I really hope you have gone to the ER.

[Hali12 in reply to HeronNS]

I had a biopsy done last Tuesday and the incision was oozing. And it was irratated. But it was because I’m allergic to the stiri strips. I broke out in blisters. On the incision site and behind my ear. So she gave me ointment to put on it.

[Hindags]

PMR 12/2016. Delayed release Pred. Tapering 6-5 on 38 day DSNS taper.

I recently had much the same pain you describe between the shoulder blades. It took my breath away. The first time it lasted for several hours. After that it came and went, but was more there than not. I went to the doctor and would recommend that you do too. I was told I had a muscle problem somewhat related to some shoulder issues, bursitis and or rotatator cuff, thanks to PMR . I was also told the breathless feeling is common when muscles between the shoulder blades, near the diaphragm are trapped or in spasm.

I was given an exercise by my physical therapist that was very helpful. I’ll try to describe it. Stand up straight, shoulders down and back. Keep arms to the sides, with elbows bent facing forward and palms up. Slowly moves hands outward towards keeping elbows at your side. Feel the stretch across the upper chest, and the pinch between the shoulder blades. Hold for 30sec. I was told to do this 2-3 times 3 times a day. I could only hold it for 10-15 seconds but it helped a lot. Tried to find some pictures on the web but couldn’t.

[PMRnewbie2017]

TA is temporal arteritis. The distribution of gca affecting vessels of the head particularly those around the temples

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Actually in not all cases are the temporal arteries affected - mine weren’t enlarged or sore; it was the blocking of the ophthalmic artery that did the damage!

However the temporal artery is close to the skin and easy to conduct a biopsy on, whereas others are deeper in the skull. Hence the terminology TAB - but the name Temporal Arteritis is a bit misleading.

It can also mean that if that artery is not affected, the diagnosis can be incorrect.

[PMRnewbie2017 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi DL, I take your point but hali12 was asking what TA stands for! I was trying to give a simple explanation but as often happens with that it's not a simple one line answer.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Yes appreciate that. Not dissing your reply, just expanding on it - many patients and doctors think that if your temporal artery is not affect, you don’t have GCA- and that not necessarily the case. I can testify to that!

[SnazzyD]

Hello,

Sorry the worry continues. Did the doc listen to your chest? When I was on high doses I felt breathless and had all sorts of upper body pains in odd small places that came and went. Have you had any fever? Bear in mind if you’ve been taking some pain killers they hold have suppressed it.

The biopsy procedure is quite invasive and a couple of layers are cut through to get to the artery and stitched up. It is not like a small cut that heals in a few days. It is also possible you have had some nerve disruption which one possible conplication of it. I still get a tender scar when I’m reducing or am ill from 14 months ago.

If the wound problem was just a reaction it should settle quickly if they’ve been removed. If the oozing doesn’t settle quickly I would go again to have it checked in case there is an infection as well. What was the ointment?