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Suggest Remedy For Persistent Pain In-between Shoulder Blades

Posted on Thu, 10 Dec 2015

Question: Pain in between shoulder blades that goes through to the front sternum area. Sometimes have fluttering feeling between shoulder blades. Has been 2 weeks

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (2 days later)

go for chest-xray and EKG
visit physician to find out the cause

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (10 hours later)

Do you recommend a CT scan? Would a tumor show up on xray?

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
CT scan would be advisable.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks asking again.

Tumours are hardly seen on X-ray especially when they are advanced and big size.

Means the early and curable tumors are often missed in X-ray,so CT scan would be the best if you are suspecting tumor.

But let me know,
Have you done EKG and Chest x-ray?
Why you are suspecting tumor?

Kindly get back to me with this information.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (1 hour later)

No, havent had EKG or chest xray. Why are you suggesting EKG? Heart problem? Im just wondering if something is inside because I have pain under/ in sternum area and in my back at about same level. Also..concerned because have had some discomfort under my left arm pit. Had routine mammogram about 2 months ago. Said it came back ok but my breast tissue is very dense so hard to see. Suggested I get an ultrasound. Haven't yet. Just wondering if this is all connected somehow.

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Need to be investigated further.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the quick response.

Pain in between shoulder blades or near sternum area with fluttering feeling and your discomfort under left armpit could have connected but we need to rule out all the possibilities one by one by clinical examination and some relevant investigations.

I am not suspecting heart problem but it is good to have your EKG and checked by physician because sometimes per-mature ventricular contractions or ectopic beats can also cause this kind of symptoms.

Go for chest X-ray and ultrasound as your doctor also suggested previously.

Reflux espophagitis (GERD) and anxiety can also cause the same symptoms.

But tumor or even dense hard tissue of breast is very unlikely to cause this,so I would not think about this possibility especially tumor.

Also,let me know if you have taken any medication during this 2 weeks or if you have any other symptoms apart from this like gastric.

Meanwhile,take antacids like pantoprazole 40 (proton pump inhibitors) twice daily.

Avoid oily and spicy food.

Also reduce tea, coffee, alcohol and smoking if you do so.

Drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water everyday and eat dinner 2 to 3 hours before sleeping.

It would be best to see physician who will know about all this tests and may rule out the possibilities after doing complete clinical assessment with relevant investigations.

Hope this will help you.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip Kabra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (7 hours later)

Ok thank you. Going to see my doctor today.

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the feed back.

You are most welcome.In case of any more query, then feel free to ask me.

I will be happy to answer that.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip Kabra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (11 hours later)

I saw NP today. She thinks it might be tietze syndrome. Prescribed me naproxen for 1 week. Would that give me pain in my back? She doesnt think its cardiac related. Said if naproxen doesnt work we will investigate further after the one week. I think I should see an MD next.

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seen MD doctor rather than NP.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the response.

There may not be some cardiac issue but it would be better to rule out it by doing EKG which will take hardly few minutes.

Anyway,you can continue to take naproxen for symptomatic relief as it can also be due to musclo-skeletal origin or tietze syndrome which may cause pain over back.

You should consult a MD doctor to evaluate it further by examination and relevant tests rather than NP.

Rest of all things,we have already discussed.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip Kabra

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad