What Causes Pain In The Shoulder Blade Radiating To The Neck And Arm?

Posted on Tue, 25 Oct 2016

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

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 Answered on

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I've had pain on and around my shoulder blade (left) plus the pain goes up to my neck and down my arm to my hand sometimes. It is much worse when I go to bed. Can't tolerate being on your left side because the pain is excruciating. I have taken my blood pressure and pulse.
They're fine. I am 75, female, have a pacemaker, and have fibromyalgia. Except for the fatigue of fibromyalgia, i'm doing well. What could be causing this pain?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
disc disease in neck

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It sounds like you may be having some nerve irritation in the neck area. This can come from disc disease or some vertebral compression.
This kind of pain can be quite severe since it comes from irritation of the nerves.
You should see a doctor for some xrays to start with.
You need to know the source of the pain before you can get the appropriate treatment.
The nerves that come out of the spinal cord in the area of the neck go into the neck and arm and that is why I think the source may be coming from your neck area.
I do not think this is coming from your heart since it is worse lying down and heart pain is worse with exercise.
I hope you can see your doctor soon for some testing to determine the cause.
Dr. Robinson

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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