Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group pain in between the shoulders

I think that I have read here that pain between the shoulder blades happens...I just want to be sure. The muscles spasm a lot but the pain seem to be from my spine. Often, if feels as though I am being stabbed. If I sit up a lot, like I did yesterday, I am in bed all next day from muscle spasms. Lortab and skelaxin are not helping. Do others have this type of pain?
--Heather

Heather,

I have had/still have the same pain. Don't know anything about it, though. Hopefully someone else will have more information.

Hugs,

Cindy

Hi Heather,
I went through a period recently (roughly late July to late September) where I had a lot of pain around my shoulder blades, though I'm not sure it was the same as what you are experiencing. Mine was more to the side, first one then the other, but not usually both at the same time. It was a "toothache" type of pain that kept me awake at night and wore me out during the day. I tried flexeril, but that didn't seem to help as much as darvocet. When my rheumy pressed on the muscles it didn't hurt, so she said it was from inflammation. She was going to put me on a short course of prednisone if it didn't get better, but thankfully it did. I hope you feel better soon.

Connie

Heather,
I think it is common AS pain. During my 30s ,it hit me between the shoulder blades.The pain came right through me to the front at my sternem.It lasted for about 2.5 yrs. It was like a knife run right through me. Then it moved to other areas. I always hoped that it wouldn't return, but a month ago more activity started up in my spine between the shoulder blades.So far it's only in my back. That was more than 20yrs ago so I guess the opera isn't over yet. All I took for the pain was over the counter pain killers and my anti-inflamitory meds. Didn't help.
Don't mean to scare you. I wish you good luck.

Ray (Icky)

Heather,
Anytime I over do things that is the spot that spasms. Sometimes it's for a day or two and once for a couple of weeks. My rheumy gave me meds for spasms and I find a comfortable spot and there I stay. When they subside I feel like I've been hit by a boxer.............or two

Also, it's hard to take a deep breath while this is going on.
I had a lung check and my expansion is ok but it imflammes at times.

Hope you feel better........
I'm feeling for you

[[[hugs, gentle ones]]]

linda

marabella

Hi Heather,

I know EXACTLY what you are going though! Actually shoulder pain was one of the major symptoms that lead me on the path for a diagnosis. When I was about 11 I remember going to my GP for shoulder pain. The GP told me I had pulled a muscle in my shoulder that ran right under the shoulder blade. I was given muscle relaxers to help with the pain and spasms. When the muscle was inflamed it made the blade hurt even worse because they would scrape against one another when I moved them. A few months ago the nuclear bone scan showed that I have active arthritis on both of my shoulders. Big surprise there...I knew something was wrong at 11! Growing pains my foot! Sorry I didn't mean to work myself up. I hope you will get some relief soon. I am not familiar with any of the meds you said you are taking. Is one of them a muscle relaxer? They do help with the spasms. Let us know how you are doing.

Take care and huggggggggs,

Lisa

I used to get that really bad, just as you described it, when I first started having symptoms of AS, it would keep me up at night - - well, the pain and the fear that those cigarettes had finally given me lung cancer, that's how bad the pain was Some nights it was painful just to breathe! I don't get it so much any more, the action, so to speak, has moved south, and now my major problems are SIs, hips, left ankle, right knee, left knee, alternating in chorus.

Cheryl

Dogs aren't threatened if you earn more than they do

You should be on Asulfazine, and Celebrex. Also When I had those pains in my should blades I use to strech three times a day. It helps like you cant beleive. I firmly beleive the reason I have limited my condition is by working out with weights. I have been working out for about 1 year, and I firmly beleive that it is the best thing you can do for AS.

Smoke em if you got em!

Hi Heather,
Yes, like it has been pointed out, that sort of shoulder blade pain is part of AS. Stabbling pain is the best way to describe it. I get it often and I can't move, also hurts with taking a deep breath.
I was told it's from our muscles having to work overtime in that area to compensate for what's happening with the spine. I usually use the muscle relaxer called "flexeril" and after a day or two afterwards, the pain subsides and everything gets back to normal..although, I no longer know what normal is.
I highly recommend this medication for this type of pain. I suggest asking your doc about it. It also helps when I am having a tough time sleeping because of stiffness. It's not something I use all the time, as I do not want to let my system get too used to it, because then when I do need it, it won't work. So, I use it only when it's really necessary. A few others here use it with good results and I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned already...or maybe it was and I didn't notice.
Good luck to you.
Lisa

I have same pain all the time, between my shoulder blades. The only thing that helps me is to have my hubbie massage it and use a heating pad. My shoulders also hurt deep in the joints...one more As goodie I guess...DC