What Causes Stabbing Pain In My Stomach,chest And Shoulder Blades?

Posted on Thu, 19 Mar 2015

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

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 Answered on

Thu, 9 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My doctor said I may have an ulcer but I can't believe the pain I am experiencing. Besides intense pain in my stomach and chest, my back up to my shoulder blades is so painful I can't get in any comfortable position. Is this symptomatic??

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gallstones seem more possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

This does not sound like an ulcer.
Peptic ulcer gives dull, constant pain located in upper middle abdomen. It is strongly associated with foods intake. Nausea can be present. It never radiates to back.
Your symptoms seem to be caused by gallstones rather than ulcer. It is characteristic for gallstones pain to radiate to back, even to shoulders. It is strong and stabbing pain. Fatty foods can aggravate it.

I suggest you to have abdominal ultrasound and some blood work done first. If your doctor thinks about an ulcer, gastroscopy should be done.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)

My gallbladder was removed. No gallstones although it does feel similar to that pain.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bile ducts stones can give similar symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Than you may have a stone in bile ducts. Symptoms are very similar. You have a stones-creation-tendency which can not be removed. Only the effect of this tendency was removed (gallbladder with stones). But it is always a possibility to have a stone in bile ducts. So an ultrasound and blood work should be done anyways.

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