Shoulder and lung pain?

Question

Since I was about 8 years old, I have periodically gotten this pain in my lower right shoulder blade that would spread to my lung. It usually feels like someone just took a knife and stabbed me and that my lung is not getting air. My doctor at the time said it was nothing but that was almost 10 years ago and it still comes back every month or so. But now I'm pregnant and it keeps happening every day. It basically knocks the wind out of me. I'm not sure how serious this is and I don't have a doctor. I don't want to go to the e.r. unless its an emergency but should I be really concerned and try to seek care? I have never been injured in my back or lung, it just came on its own years ago and never went away.

Answer 1

Sounds like "Pleurisy", which is something you need to discuss with your doctor as soon as possible. Pleurisy is an inflamation in the plura (a membrane surrounding the lungs). In some cases of pleurisy, excess fluid seeps into the pleural space, resulting in pleural effusion. This fluid buildup usually has a lubricating effect, relieving the pain associated with pleurisy as it reduces friction between the membrane's layers. But at the same time, the added fluid puts tremendous pressure on the lungs, reducing their ability to move freely and causing shortness of breath. In some cases of pleural effusion, this excess liquid can become infected.

If you go to the following website you will get information on "Pleurisy" and it's causes:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/7/1680_53636.htm

I too had this problem from the time I was about your age. Later in life I was diagnosed with "Lupus" which was the reason I was getting pleurisy. It is very painful and makes it difficult to take a deep breath. These episodes are not to be taken lightly and treatment is available.

Since you are pregnant it is very important that you seek medical attention not only for yourself but for your unborn baby as well. If you do not have the financial means to obtain medical insurance please contact your local "Department of Human Services" so that they can help you with the cost of your care. Please don't delay in getting the medical attention you need.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Surprisingly you may need to see a pulmonologist. I have had issues that sound similar. the pain comes on suddenly and is sharp and will take your breath away. it hurts to breath. it can be incapacitating for an hour or more or may only last a minute or two. The pain is gone almost as suddenly as it starts.

Yep been there. I have little "blebs" small areas that adhere different layers of pleura together and movement or breathing can cause this little "adhesion" to tear away causing pain. Or can cause a dry area to form in the pleura causing it to stick like sand paper causing the pain when you breath.

I had to have a treatment that they "baby powdered" they actually used some type of talc, the area so that the lung wouldn't stick. They told me that i was risking a collapsed lung with out treatment.

Apparently this is common in people with different body types especially tall lanky individuals. (though i am 5'2 and a swimmer apparently it can happen to anyone...)

This can also be a Nerve issue where your shoulder blade or even the ribs beneith it are intermittently pinching a spinal nerve. You may feel that it spreads to the lung because of the conduction pathway of the nerve involved.

Now there are many other issues that it could also be. Some totally benign (probably the case if you have had this problem for years) Some more serious especially if this was sudden onset.

If you get no releif, are having trouble breithing, sleeping you should get it checked out tonight. If it releives on its own you need to just make an appt with your practioner tomorrow and talk to them about it.

Answer 4

What you are describing is suggestive of a structural discrepancy which has brought about a distortion of the ribs.. When taking a deep breath there is a sharp pain, resulting from touching the intercostal nerve. This distortion would also put pressure on the shoulder as it is either higher or lower than the corresponding side. It also probably would appear to be more forward than the other side..Most distortions like these have their genesis during the growth period but the body adapts so it remains basically asymptomatic. When you become less active (as in aging) these symptoms will begin to appearwith more severity. The bodies accomodation continues.

Answer 5

I wish I had this 2 years ago when I damaged my rotator cuff while showing off. This is very detailed and really gives you the techniques you need to sort out your own shoulder issues and a lot more info such as preventing further injuries. If you have a shoulder keeping you awake at night you'll know it's no laughing matter.

Stop Shoulder Pain Permanently?

Answer 6

I had very similar symptoms after I suffered a bout of pnumonia. My doc said the stabbing pain was from an inflamation in the lining of the lung called PLEURISY

but mine went away. I don't know if that might be what you have or not. Yeah it felt like someone skewed me with an icepick when I inhaled.

http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/pleurisy-pleuresie/index_e.php

Answer 7

Since you have had the symptoms for that long, I would wait and call your OB GYN in the morning. Let the doctor, not a bunch of neophytes like me, tell you what to do.

This is the safety of your baby you are talking about. Be smart. Listen to your doctor.

Answer 8

ok I know this might sound funny, but for real, I have had those types of pains also, since I was a child. I asked my doctor and he had told me that it can be due to gas. Who knows. maybe you might just have some gas=)

Answer 9

I've had something like that too! It hurts like heck. I've never been to the doctor about it. But it scared me everytime.

Answer 10

this is your gall bladder, they can't do much until baby comes, do not eat anything fried or hard to digest, or with alot of fat. I hope if you are PG you have a DR for