pain between shoulders - dumb question!

Tonight I had an episode of SEVERE pain between my shoulder blades that radiated up my neck, down my shoulders to my arms and through to my chest, although the back pain was the WORST. It almost feels as though someone is squeezing my trapezius muscles as hard as they can. The pain is so bad that I can't sit still, and I actually start to panic a little bit.

This is the third time this has happened, also the longest lasting episode, in the last 3 years or so. All three times I have had an alcoholic drink on a fairly empty stomach. So I am thinking either stomach, gallbladder, or pancreas. Am I way off? I am not a GI nurse and am not really sure. I've tried looking up my symptoms but can't find any that fit. I was really ready to go to the ER tonight, but finally it let up. It lasted close to an hour, not very long, but for the amount of pain I was in, long enough.

Any ideas?

[IMustBeCrazy]

When is the last time you had a good cardio check? The anxiety level you described in addition to symptoms seemed suspect to me.

[jayna, RN]

Go and see the doctor .........and get that checked.

Hope its nothing drastic.

[critcarenurse16]

Tonight I had an episode of SEVERE pain between my shoulder blades that radiated up my neck, down my shoulders to my arms and through to my chest, although the back pain was the WORST. It almost feels as though someone is squeezing my trapezius muscles as hard as they can. The pain is so bad that I can't sit still, and I actually start to panic a little bit.

This is the third time this has happened, also the longest lasting episode, in the last 3 years or so. All three times I have had an alcoholic drink on a fairly empty stomach. So I am thinking either stomach, gallbladder, or pancreas. Am I way off? I am not a GI nurse and am not really sure. I've tried looking up my symptoms but can't find any that fit. I was really ready to go to the ER tonight, but finally it let up. It lasted close to an hour, not very long, but for the amount of pain I was in, long enough.

Any ideas?

Get a cardiac workup first to rule that out. If that's ok maybe consider esophageal studies for esophagitis- it can mimic cardiac symptoms. Go see your Doctor ASAP.

[kwagner_51]

Go to your Dr. NOW!! My Dad had quad blockage in his heart and the ONLY symptom was what you are describing!!

He did not have an MI but did require Quadruple Bypass surgery!!

[missmercy]

Good advice ya'all! Don't hesitate to get this checked out!!! Keep us posted!

[ARmickie]

I agree wholeheartedly.. carry your tiny hiney to the Dr ASAP... while it may be nothing, it's not a chance you want to take, especially in that region of your body. And, if it is something, you need to know. Besides, you will be worried about it and the anxiety isn't going to help anything. Good luck!

[mattsmom81]

The fact that it follows an alcoholic drink on an empty stomach is a good hint it may be esophagitis/gastritis with spasm. Hope that's all it is...please get checked out and let us know you are OK.

[ParrotHeadRN]

You guys are awesome! I did think cardiac, but I am 34 years old, and female, so I just blew it off. I will get it checked, though, and let you know. Thanks so much!

:kiss

[missmercy]

You guys are awesome! I did think cardiac, but I am 34 years old, and female, so I just blew it off. I will get it checked, though, and let you know. Thanks so much!

:kiss

Would be great if "34 and female" were eliminators for cardiac issues!!!!

[ParrotHeadRN]

I know, I know. Denial is SUCH a wonderful thing, isn't it??

[Kyriaka]

Sounds so very familiar to me (and so gi).

Be sure and get this checked. Emergency gall bladder surgery is very differant than from elective (been there done that). I didnt even have gall stones...just gall bladder disease.

2 weeks ago I ate some kilbassa and had a glass of wine and ended up in the emergency room. I fainted on the way to the hospital. Woke up on oxygen, morph., heart monitor! But gi...again. This time most likely ulcers. I get to have the camera down my throat this coming Monday. What a joy!

I owe it all to my dad's genetics! :)