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What Causes Muscle Pain In Shoulders, Upper Back And Neck?

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Posted on Fri, 2 Jan 2015
Question: I suffer from chronic pain that leaves me bedridden for up to four days at a time. I need to find a pain specialist who can work with me and take this condition seriously as it significantly impacts my life. What should I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Will need some more details. Could you answer a few questions?

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns. I need to understand a bit about that pain you are suffering from to be of any use to you.

May I please ask some questions before proceeding to treatment:

1. What is the common site of pain for you? The frequency of disabling pain in week etc ?
2. Nature of pain? Throbbing, radiating etc?
3. Duration of your illness?
4. Any accompanying other medical disorder?
5. Family history of any medical disorder?

I request you to please post details in the follow-up query so that i can understand your health issues better.

Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)
Doctor,
1.most frequent sites of pain are: muscles in-shoulders-upper back, neck, and joints-wrists/hands and ankles/knees. I also have bouts of significant muscle fatigue- consistently followed by pain similar to a "charley horse" in my muscles while the pain in my bones feels like they are breaking. 2. Nature of pain is as described above with throbbing turning into radiating pain. 3. I have dealt with chronic pain since I was 22, the intensity and frequency of which has increased to the point of being unmanageable. 4. Anxiety/panic disorder and depression. 5. My mother has rheumatoid arthritis, my father and brother have add, and my sister has bipolar II disorder. Quite a bunch aren't we?.

I simply want to be able to manage day to day life. I hurt too much to exercise significantly, and that feeds the cycle of fatigue to painful.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Integrated management is required.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for giving the details.
I am sorry for the delay in response.
I have read your health issues thouroughly and understand your concerns.
If we talk in terms of diagnosis, you most probably suffer from fibromyalgia.
Regarding the management, integrated approach is required.
I have some suggestions for you:
1. Intensive exercises can increase muscle soreness. You should exercise for not more than 3times/week. The most suitable exercises for you would be simple walking. You must also practice deep breathing and meditation. These increase neurochemical levels in your brain which are natural painkillers and relaxants. You can also go for sessions of biofeedback with a psychologist.
Other home remedies can heat application over painful areas and massage.

2. Regarding drugs, you have used cymbalta, flexeril, hydromorphene etc but these are not effective for you.
The other drug options for you are gabapentin, pregabalin or milnacipran. Please discuss about these drugs with your doctor. The can also be used in various combinations.

3. You also need some dietary modifications. Get your blood vitamin D levels checked. The deficiency can increase pain. Take omega3 fatty acid supplements to reduce oxidative stress of your body.
You can also take green tea. Avoid caffeinated drinks.

4. You can also try alternative therapies like acupuncture. This might be helpful.

Any further queries are welcome.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

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What Causes Muscle Pain In Shoulders, Upper Back And Neck?

Brief Answer: Will need some more details. Could you answer a few questions? Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. I need to understand a bit about that pain you are suffering from to be of any use to you. May I please ask some questions before proceeding to treatment: 1. What is the common site of pain for you? The frequency of disabling pain in week etc ? 2. Nature of pain? Throbbing, radiating etc? 3. Duration of your illness? 4. Any accompanying other medical disorder? 5. Family history of any medical disorder? I request you to please post details in the follow-up query so that i can understand your health issues better. Thanks.