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What Could Be Causing Chronic Intermittent Shooting Pain In The Upper Left Shoulder Blade Radiating Towards The Solar Plexus?
Posted on
Mon, 23 Jul 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 23 Jul 2018
Answered on
Wed, 23 Nov 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
Curious your thoughts on the types of ailments that you suspect could be causing my symptoms... and an imaging/diagnostic question.
I have ignored a pain for almost a decade that shoots to my upper left shoulder blade near the center and near my solar plexus off the left side of my rib cage on my frontside. For years I thought it was musculoskeletal pain but also wondered if it was GI related and almost went through with a scope but didn’t due to cost years ago.
The pain is worse at night when I lie down (I’d dig a thercane into it to relieve it) and my heart has raced when it’s felt (especially in my twenties). Also I recall times when I felt like food was backing up in my stomach and not getting through- had urge to eat a big meal to push things through...gnawing pain would usually follow. I burp all the time.
Lately the pain has become less intense (albeit still there) my blood pressure has gone down and having feelings like my blood pressure is too low (or blood sugar is out of whack)...lightheaded/nauseas/out of it after eating. My appetite is not what it used to be, I have lost 10-15 lbs.
Last year I had an ultrasound done on a wellness check that showed an 8 mm leision on the pancreatic head. My doctor did a full abdomen MRI and everything was normal..as was bloodwork including C19 markers for PC.
New Gi doc has requested basic metabolic panel, stool fat testing and lipase/amalyse.
What do you think could be causing my symptoms? Would the MRI last year have caught chronic pancreatitis/PC?
Thanks.
Curious your thoughts on the types of ailments that you suspect could be causing my symptoms... and an imaging/diagnostic question.
I have ignored a pain for almost a decade that shoots to my upper left shoulder blade near the center and near my solar plexus off the left side of my rib cage on my frontside. For years I thought it was musculoskeletal pain but also wondered if it was GI related and almost went through with a scope but didn’t due to cost years ago.
The pain is worse at night when I lie down (I’d dig a thercane into it to relieve it) and my heart has raced when it’s felt (especially in my twenties). Also I recall times when I felt like food was backing up in my stomach and not getting through- had urge to eat a big meal to push things through...gnawing pain would usually follow. I burp all the time.
Lately the pain has become less intense (albeit still there) my blood pressure has gone down and having feelings like my blood pressure is too low (or blood sugar is out of whack)...lightheaded/nauseas/out of it after eating. My appetite is not what it used to be, I have lost 10-15 lbs.
Last year I had an ultrasound done on a wellness check that showed an 8 mm leision on the pancreatic head. My doctor did a full abdomen MRI and everything was normal..as was bloodwork including C19 markers for PC.
New Gi doc has requested basic metabolic panel, stool fat testing and lipase/amalyse.
What do you think could be causing my symptoms? Would the MRI last year have caught chronic pancreatitis/PC?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Dyspepsia with gastritis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Most likely your symptoms are due to severe dyspepsia with Gastritis overlapped with acid reflux. GERD is a condition in which stomach acid travels up the esophagus, which can then create ulcers and scars that constrict the esophagus. Classical complaint of patient is that he/she can feel something is stuck in throat.
Possibility 2 is: Achalasia is a relatively uncommon condition that is often mistaken for acid reflux. It is a disease that effects the esophagus, specifically the junction between the esophagus and the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Achalasia is a condition where the valve (LES) fails to open.
Tests suggested are-
Manometry - This test allows to determine if muscle disorders exist in the esophagus, thus making it difficult to push food and liquids down into the stomach.
Endoscopy repeat should be done to see the condition of gut. These things may stimulate the autonomous nerves hence causing palpitations and low blood pressure.
Yes. MRI splits the water in the tissue. A tumor is an area where cells have multiplied rapidly. Therefore on MRI density of signals on a tumor based area would be more then normal area. It can detect both acute and chronic condition.
Thanks. Feel free to follow up.
Regards
Dyspepsia with gastritis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Most likely your symptoms are due to severe dyspepsia with Gastritis overlapped with acid reflux. GERD is a condition in which stomach acid travels up the esophagus, which can then create ulcers and scars that constrict the esophagus. Classical complaint of patient is that he/she can feel something is stuck in throat.
Possibility 2 is: Achalasia is a relatively uncommon condition that is often mistaken for acid reflux. It is a disease that effects the esophagus, specifically the junction between the esophagus and the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Achalasia is a condition where the valve (LES) fails to open.
Tests suggested are-
Manometry - This test allows to determine if muscle disorders exist in the esophagus, thus making it difficult to push food and liquids down into the stomach.
Endoscopy repeat should be done to see the condition of gut. These things may stimulate the autonomous nerves hence causing palpitations and low blood pressure.
Yes. MRI splits the water in the tissue. A tumor is an area where cells have multiplied rapidly. Therefore on MRI density of signals on a tumor based area would be more then normal area. It can detect both acute and chronic condition.
Thanks. Feel free to follow up.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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