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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Itchy Lump Near The Shoulder Blade
Posted on
Tue, 26 Apr 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 26 Apr 2016
Answered on
Wed, 15 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello,
I'm a 50 year old w/m. I've had a persistent itch near my right shoulder blade for 3-4 years, and it has turned into a discomforting and constant dull pain. I have a small lump in the muscle in the area that both my doctor and chiropractor have felt but dismiss as nothing. The Chiro said its fatty deposit from repetitive posture at my desk at work. I also had Pnumonia in my right lung 3 years ago that I have always kind of "felt" - requiring me to cough frequently, but without any real production. Out of the blue 4 years ago, my liver stopped producing the enzyme needed to digest alchohol, so I've not drank alcohol since then - did not abuse before then. Finally, my lower back has been unusually tight and painful for several months - all together leading me to feel just a little off. I've brought the back itch/pain up to my doctors 4 times in the past 3-4 years and they haven't seemed too concerned after a quick exam. My father is currently undergoing chemo for Lymphoma in his abdomen, and my niece died of cancer (liver and other areas) 2 years ago. My dad is insistent that I go back to have the back itch/pain looked into further. Based on this info, do you have any suggestions on what I should be asking or demanding from my Doctor? I believe if I go back in, I'll get another visual exam and another topical cream or lotion for the itch (which has never worked). Thanks for your time.
I'm a 50 year old w/m. I've had a persistent itch near my right shoulder blade for 3-4 years, and it has turned into a discomforting and constant dull pain. I have a small lump in the muscle in the area that both my doctor and chiropractor have felt but dismiss as nothing. The Chiro said its fatty deposit from repetitive posture at my desk at work. I also had Pnumonia in my right lung 3 years ago that I have always kind of "felt" - requiring me to cough frequently, but without any real production. Out of the blue 4 years ago, my liver stopped producing the enzyme needed to digest alchohol, so I've not drank alcohol since then - did not abuse before then. Finally, my lower back has been unusually tight and painful for several months - all together leading me to feel just a little off. I've brought the back itch/pain up to my doctors 4 times in the past 3-4 years and they haven't seemed too concerned after a quick exam. My father is currently undergoing chemo for Lymphoma in his abdomen, and my niece died of cancer (liver and other areas) 2 years ago. My dad is insistent that I go back to have the back itch/pain looked into further. Based on this info, do you have any suggestions on what I should be asking or demanding from my Doctor? I believe if I go back in, I'll get another visual exam and another topical cream or lotion for the itch (which has never worked). Thanks for your time.
Brief Answer:
Right Back Itchy Lump x 3-4 yrs/ Under Assessment
Detailed Answer:
Brief Ans-Right Back Itchy Lump x 3-4 yrs/ Under Assessment
Hi Dear !! Thanks for your query HCM.
Read and reviewed your query and the challenging health concerns,which is till unrelieved by any treatment with doctors there.
Brief up on your Health issues-
-ON back-itchy spot with small muscle lump near right shoulder blade-4 yrs-with constant dull pain.?Bursitis ? fatty lump-from posture friction with desk.
4 times checked with doctors -without any cognizance.
Has got only script for topical cream / lotion -for the itch-which never reduced.
-Frequent dry cough-with old pneumonia.
-cant drink alcohol x 4 yrs-due to liver problems.
-Tight and painful- lower back x several mnths.
-Family H/O-Father on Chemo-For Lymphoma in abdomen./ Niece died of Liver ?Cancer-2yrs ago.
Query Under Review-
Asking for guidelines/ suggestions-for further investigations and treatment -in background of the family history
After Reviewing the above history facts-its really difficult to judge and suggest any specific remedy in one go.
More Info and details about the small lump on the right back-near shoulder blade-
What is the size of the muscle lump ?
Does it move easily?
How are the edges of this lump?
What are the investigations done by your doctors?
Update any USG/ or CT Scan / X-ray Chest and abdomen-of the muscle lump ? and of the Liver /gall bladder / abdomen.
Update Any complaints with Right Shoulder movements and range of Shoulder Movements?
Would wait for further query and more details as asked above.
Welcome for any further query in this regard.
Keep Me updated soon.
Good Day!!
Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist
M.S.Genl-CVTS
Right Back Itchy Lump x 3-4 yrs/ Under Assessment
Detailed Answer:
Brief Ans-Right Back Itchy Lump x 3-4 yrs/ Under Assessment
Hi Dear !! Thanks for your query HCM.
Read and reviewed your query and the challenging health concerns,which is till unrelieved by any treatment with doctors there.
Brief up on your Health issues-
-ON back-itchy spot with small muscle lump near right shoulder blade-4 yrs-with constant dull pain.?Bursitis ? fatty lump-from posture friction with desk.
4 times checked with doctors -without any cognizance.
Has got only script for topical cream / lotion -for the itch-which never reduced.
-Frequent dry cough-with old pneumonia.
-cant drink alcohol x 4 yrs-due to liver problems.
-Tight and painful- lower back x several mnths.
-Family H/O-Father on Chemo-For Lymphoma in abdomen./ Niece died of Liver ?Cancer-2yrs ago.
Query Under Review-
Asking for guidelines/ suggestions-for further investigations and treatment -in background of the family history
After Reviewing the above history facts-its really difficult to judge and suggest any specific remedy in one go.
More Info and details about the small lump on the right back-near shoulder blade-
What is the size of the muscle lump ?
Does it move easily?
How are the edges of this lump?
What are the investigations done by your doctors?
Update any USG/ or CT Scan / X-ray Chest and abdomen-of the muscle lump ? and of the Liver /gall bladder / abdomen.
Update Any complaints with Right Shoulder movements and range of Shoulder Movements?
Would wait for further query and more details as asked above.
Welcome for any further query in this regard.
Keep Me updated soon.
Good Day!!
Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist
M.S.Genl-CVTS
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
The lump is difficult to feel by palpating, but if I roll on a massage ball or rub back on a corner of a wall I can feel it as the ball or corner moves over the lump. It doesn't hurt to do this. The chiro told me its good to do and attempt to break it up, as it is fatty deposits.
The lump is smaller than a golf ball I'd guess.
It moves easily, and doesn't seem to have edges.
Dr. has palpated the area and didn't feel anything. The chiro did and said its fatty deposits from posture at work.
Dr. has never considers a CT or Scan or other procedure.
Two more related changes over the past couple of years - when I cough or sneeze I protect myself without trying by holding back on the sneeze or cough as my diaphragm hurts when I sneeze or cough hard. Also, my torso flexibility has diminished quite a bit over the past couple of years.
Maybe just age, but so many things seem to be connected.
Would a CT or ultrasound be advisable to rule out tumor? Is there a blood test that can detect any related cancer? I did have a physical within the year and all my blood work up and liver activity was normal.
The lump is smaller than a golf ball I'd guess.
It moves easily, and doesn't seem to have edges.
Dr. has palpated the area and didn't feel anything. The chiro did and said its fatty deposits from posture at work.
Dr. has never considers a CT or Scan or other procedure.
Two more related changes over the past couple of years - when I cough or sneeze I protect myself without trying by holding back on the sneeze or cough as my diaphragm hurts when I sneeze or cough hard. Also, my torso flexibility has diminished quite a bit over the past couple of years.
Maybe just age, but so many things seem to be connected.
Would a CT or ultrasound be advisable to rule out tumor? Is there a blood test that can detect any related cancer? I did have a physical within the year and all my blood work up and liver activity was normal.
Brief Answer:
You would need further investigations of this lump !!
Detailed Answer:
Dear,Read and reviewed your updates and updated query.
In view of the following merits-I have following suggestions-
a-About the muscle lump:
which is felt by You- could be just a normal muscle over the lower angle of the Scapular blade. This is there with every body.
Also your last yearly physical check and blood work up and liver activity is all normal.
Besides this your attending family doctor doesn't feel like any muscle lump.
Just neglect the opinion of your Chiropractitioner- in reference to NIL report from yearly check up and your family doctor who attended on you for this? lump.
It seems that the Chiro -has misunderstood the scapular angle and a muscle over it- as the muscle lump. There are thick muscles there in that location.
Don't be hypochondriac only because you have very bad family history and don't get obsessed,but be watchful -at the same time.
Just forget as its a non-entity as proved above.
Suggestion about its dealing -
IF you still get complaints and are obsessed with it-
I would suggest you CT Abdomen and Chest to rule out any hidden,unseen/ undetected pathology in abdomen/ and in chest.this would also fix the finding of any ? muscle lump obsessed and felt by you.
b-About the diaphragmatic hurt on sneezing / or coughing-
As your recent liver activity is normal,and recent yearly physical is normal,the liver problem causing this hurt is ruled out.
A CT STudy of the Chest and Diaphragm would fix if there is any cause for the hurting by the diagphragm.
In My opinion- You should keep a watch by yearly check ups with your doctors.
Be alert on the risks of family history in your case.Your doctors would take appropriate tests and care for your health concerns.
Welcome for any further query,IF you still want to ask any doubts and questions about your health query.
Keep Me updated soon.
Good Day!!
Wishing Good Healthy Life in time to come!!
Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist
M.S.Genl-CVTS
You would need further investigations of this lump !!
Detailed Answer:
Dear,Read and reviewed your updates and updated query.
In view of the following merits-I have following suggestions-
a-About the muscle lump:
which is felt by You- could be just a normal muscle over the lower angle of the Scapular blade. This is there with every body.
Also your last yearly physical check and blood work up and liver activity is all normal.
Besides this your attending family doctor doesn't feel like any muscle lump.
Just neglect the opinion of your Chiropractitioner- in reference to NIL report from yearly check up and your family doctor who attended on you for this? lump.
It seems that the Chiro -has misunderstood the scapular angle and a muscle over it- as the muscle lump. There are thick muscles there in that location.
Don't be hypochondriac only because you have very bad family history and don't get obsessed,but be watchful -at the same time.
Just forget as its a non-entity as proved above.
Suggestion about its dealing -
IF you still get complaints and are obsessed with it-
I would suggest you CT Abdomen and Chest to rule out any hidden,unseen/ undetected pathology in abdomen/ and in chest.this would also fix the finding of any ? muscle lump obsessed and felt by you.
b-About the diaphragmatic hurt on sneezing / or coughing-
As your recent liver activity is normal,and recent yearly physical is normal,the liver problem causing this hurt is ruled out.
A CT STudy of the Chest and Diaphragm would fix if there is any cause for the hurting by the diagphragm.
In My opinion- You should keep a watch by yearly check ups with your doctors.
Be alert on the risks of family history in your case.Your doctors would take appropriate tests and care for your health concerns.
Welcome for any further query,IF you still want to ask any doubts and questions about your health query.
Keep Me updated soon.
Good Day!!
Wishing Good Healthy Life in time to come!!
Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist
M.S.Genl-CVTS
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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