Left shoulder pain after eating or drinking

I have had pain last night and this morning after eating in my left shoulder. I am awaiting mri readings for my abdominal and organs. Originally, after a decent, but not extra large lunch of turkey, dressing, gravy and a veggie for Christmas, I developed a bloated and hurting pain below left rib cage ... at the time, no shoulder pain. It has lasted, although at a much lesser degree for 2 1/2 months. Last night after dinner I hurt so bad I was an nth away from going to the emergency room. This morning after a light crosant, I had the same shoulder pain come back. I quickly laid down and the pain has gone away. Lots of growling noise. Last night I also had a lot of pain and discomfort below my left ribs. I wonder if it was not a gas bubble or buildup? Hopefully it could be and maybe a gas dissolver?

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That spot is nicknamed "gas alley" by doctors. It could be just eating more than usual, trapped gas, stomach pressing on diaphragm area and/or irritated nerves in that area. I had a similar problem (for years) and it turned out to be an irritated dorsal scapular nerve. A physical therapist demonstrated some movement exercises for the mid back and also glide movements for the DSN and I no longer have a problem. One very simple thing he told me to try was just lift my left arm straight up close to my head and lift the rib cage a few times. Doesn't have to be strenuous, just a gentle motion. Do that several times per day. This helped me a lot.

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Thank you debki. I will try that.

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Hi @tlowrey, You may have noticed that I moved your message to this active discussion called "Left shoulder pain after eating or drinking." I did this so you can connect with other members talking about the same pain in shoulder/arm and armpit after eating as you are. Click VIEW & REPLY to scroll through past posts from members like @astaingegerdm @fourof5zs @marianna1968jt @jparks2006 @marlaxyz @cim37343 and many others.

TLowrey, do you keep a journal of what you eat and when to see if it is related to certain foods, activities or time of day? You also mention discomfort in your jaw. Is that a new symptom?

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Hello @jrofri and welcome to Mayo Connect.

I am sorry to hear about the pain you are experiencing in your shoulder, arm, neck and ear after meals. That sounds very uncomfortable. If you are comfortable sharing more about yourself, it would help to know some more information. For example: how long have you experienced this pain? Have you had any other digestive symptoms (like GERD, ulcers, gall bladder problems, etc.)? Have you had any stomach or abdominal surgery?

By giving our Members a bit more information, perhaps someone else in our community might be able to share a similar experience with you. We look forward to getting to know.

One last question, have you talked with your doctor about this pain?

Teresa

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Hi. I'm new here. My daughter is being worked up for MS. She's had 3 MRIs with contrast in brain and spine. No lesions in the brain and only one on the spine at C2-3. Her symptoms are numbness and tingling in the right arm, hand and upper torso on the right side. However, very recently she has been experiencing severe pain in the right arm after eating dinner. Not sure why but another site referred to CCSVI as a possibility. Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) is a term used to describe a potential reduction in blood flow in the major veins that drain blood from the brain and spinal cord over a prolonged period. The condition was first described as being a possible contributor to MS by Italian physician, Dr Zamboni in 2009.

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Hello all.

I had either gastritis or an ulcer in May of this year. I stopped drinking alcohol and it resolved after a few weeks. Due to covid restrictions, the pressure on the NHS in Wales, and the fact that I’d had ulcers 25 years ago (and my symptoms were identical) I didn’t consult a doctor.

At the same time I experienced intermittent and brief pain under my left armpit and my left shoulder blade. This only occurred when I was out walking. And it only happened once every couple of weeks for about 5 minutes,

In early August my adult son became ill with covid. I was extremely worried but he recovered after ten days. I suddenly experienced, for the first time in my life, acid reflux and heartburn. I stopped drinking alcohol (again!) and cut out spicy foods. The pain in my left armpit and shoulder blade got much worse and lasted for much longer, mostly prompted by eating, although I do get twinges while sleeping.

Getting a telephone appointment with my GP was difficult until I mentioned abdominal pains. I’ve just dropped off a stool sample, once this is analysed I will have a physical exam and blood tests.

I’m pretty sure I’ve developed a hiatal hernia due to the stress off my son being ill and sitting hunched forward, worrying. I’ve been doing heel drops and diaphragmatic breathing for the past few days and last night I felt a huge lurch in my chest, and the feeling of something balled-up in my sternum area completely disappeared. I felt like my stomach was in the correct place and my heartburn seems to have disappeared.

However I still get a brief, mild pain in my left shoulder blade when eating. It feels that as soon as the food hits my stomach there’s an instant twinge in that spot.

I had a severe car crash 20 years ago in which my left shoulder was badly damaged, as well as my SI joint in my pelvis. I’ve had years of PT on these two joints. In April I was in agony with lower back/pelvic pain but the bladder issues I’ve suffered for years suddenly stopped. I’ve since realised that the pain (which lasted for two weeks) was my SI joint and hip finally realigning fully after 20 years of being wonky. I was overjoyed but within a few weeks these stomach/shoulder/armpit issues emerged.

My theory is that my shoulder/diaphragm were also misaligned, and once my pelvis had slid back into place the misalignment of my upper torso became problematic.

I was very interested to read @debkl ’s posts. It may be wishful thinking on my part but I believe that this shoulder/armpit pain when eating might be caused by a neuro-muscular-skeletal issue, in my case anyway. I’d be really interested to know more about the exercises for dorsal scapular nerve impingement.

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@nathanwales Hello Nathan. I'm concerned about your left shoulder pain and hope your complete physical exam will be conducted soon.
My story is that on July 8th, I was at the hospital E.R. for another matter and told the attending staff that I felt I was having a heart attack. I told them I felt odd sensations in my chest, and as if my heart was "fluttering" or shaking. They asked if I had any pain and I replied, " just in my left shoulder blade". "Aha!" they said, and went into immediate action with blood tests, ECG, blood pressure monitoring, etc. The blood test result came back with the cardiac marker (diatrope?) elevated, and the E.R. doctor advised I was "having a heart attack". The blood test was repeated throughout the day, and the E.R. doctor kept telling me "You're having a heart attack." At day's end, the doc finally confirmed, "You've had a heart attack." I was surprised at all this, because I had no severe pain and, if I'd been at home, might have ignored the whole episode. Apparently, that cardiac marker's normal range is between 0 and 12. Mine got up to 1,639!
I was hospitalized for 22 days and prescribed 8 cardiac- type medications!
So, Nathan, and all who read this, be vigilant. I hope your physical exam will be soon, Nathan. Wishing you good luck and warm wishes! Laurie

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