What Causes Electric Shooting Pain In Both Shoulders?

Posted on Thu, 4 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 4 Feb 2016 Answered on

Mon, 4 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Sudden electric like shooting pain both shoulders that lasts for 1 second, started 1 month age and comes every other day, no other symptoms. Positive family history of MS.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
different possible causes

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Electric shooting pain sounds like neuralgia or nerve related pain.

This is due to neuropathy which refers to abnormal function of the nerves.

While MS is one cause of neuropathy , there are other possible causes as well such as: (1) vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(2)diabetes
(3)trauma eg osteoarthritis of the shoulders, neck, can compress nerves
(4)liver or kidney disease
(5)side effect of medication
(6)neurological conditions such as stroke
(7)infections such as shingles
(8)idiopathic- cause is not known

If it continues then you may want to consider blood tests for vitamin b 12, folate, screen for diabetes, liver and kidney function tests.
Imaging of the neck and shoulders may also help

An MRI would be needed to check for any possible changes for MS if the other causes have been ruled out.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

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