xp: Don't know what to do shoulder pain and headache

KateLouise · May 2015

I've had a headache for around 24 hrs. I talked to our healthline last night and ended up going to our after hours clinic. The doctor felt pretty happy that it was tension headache.

Today it has eased off but still there and have needed to take paracetemol.

I have also had pain in my right shoulder blade develop. It hurts to turn my head, so maybe muscular, although I didn't do anything it just started. I also have pain across the top of my abdomen in my ribs.

I spoke to my mw who said to see my dr in regards to the shoulder pain (the pain in my ribs hadn't started at that point. I asked if it was urgent and something I should get looked at tonight, and she said it depended on how bad I thought the pain was, and if I could sleep or not.

I've had some diarrheoa. I got my work nurse to check my blood pressure which was normal.

So I know none of you are doctors, and none of you can know for sure, but my question is do I go out tonight to an after hours clinic or wait until I can see my doctor (the first appointment I got was for the day after tomorrow.

Thanks ladies.

ETA: the pain across my ribs sin't consistent it comes and goes briefly, but the shoulder pain is constant.

ETA: Update. I went to see the doctor because I didn't want to have to go in the middle of the night. She tested everything, and it's probably nothing but muscular stuff, but she wants me to follow up with my GP in a couple of days.

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

I used go get tension headaches a lot. The muscles involved in my shoulder - pretty much ANY muscle that had a part in shoulder movement, the one across the top, the one below my shoulder blade, the muscle on the side of my spine on the affected side - going up my neck and eventually to my jaw muscles would progressively tighten up so much they would turn hard as a rock. And its sneaky, you don't really notice it happening until your head starts to hurt. Then you kinda move your head around a bit and realize how much everything else is stiff or painful. My classic warning was always once I started trying to flex my jaw - that was the sign I was done for the day. For real these headaches would send me home and lay me out. When I was not pregnant an Excedrin migraine or extra strength Excedrin (both have the exact same ingredients, how's that for marketing?) followed by a nap or going straight to bed for the night (may be hard for some people as one ingredient is caffeine, but I can sleep with caffeine) was really the only sure fix. I also made sure as I was laying in bed waiting to sleep that I practiced breathing techniques and focused on feeling my muscles relax with each breath.

If I was unable to go to sleep, my fallback was to still take an Excedrin, and go get a massage. When I lived in NYC there was a place you could walk in and get anywhere from 10-60 minute massages. The ladies used acupressure and gliding strokes and I always told them to do my back, shoulders and neck, and to use as much pressure as they needed. It made for some uncomfortable massage at points as they *pressed* on the muscles until they got them to give a little bit, then stroked away from there, but I would get 30-45 minutes on my lunch break and come back to work able to at least finish the day and make the commute home. Where I would promptly eat and take another Excedrin and go to bed as above.

TL;DR - a FIRM massage with pressure and gliding strokes of the shoulders, back and neck helped, in conjunction with exedrin migraine or extra strength. Then breathing relaxation techniques and sleep.

I know pregnant ladies can't take Excedrin, and luckily I have not had a headache like this while pregnant. Tylenol may work...? But I would take the higher end of the safe amount (2 tablets instead of 1). But definitely try a massage and a nap in conjunction with the meds. Even a hubby 5-10 rub in the shoulder area will help things to begin to loosen. You can actually *feel* the circulation begin to flow again thru the muscle.

Tension headaches SUCK. Good luck

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

P.s. - I also had a prescription for Fiorcet for a long time that worked better than Excedrin. If you continue to have the headaches after pregnancy I might discuss with your Dr. Probably not safe for breastfeeding tho, as they have an opiate in them

sonpetitlapin · May 2015

Depends on the Fiorcet, the main one has Barbital (barbiturate), Tylenol, and Caffeine. There is a form with codeine though.

I am taking Fiorcet now as I have migraine/cluster headaches.

How are the headaches? All over the front? round to the back? One sided? Light/Audio sensitivity?

Before i got in, my OB had me do a cocktail with caffeine/benadryl/extra strength Tylenol. if that didn't work then Excedrin. Be careful with Excedrin as it has advil in it. I can't take it because of the stomach ulcer risks and being on blood thinner injections. The cocktail would knock it down from an 8-9 to 7. Now that I have Firociet I get about a 4 in pain at my peaks. I can't take my other Med during pregnancy.

I am glad it isn't blood pressure related. I hope you can find releif.

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

I love Fiorcets. Mine was the one with the barbital, but I let the RX lapse about a year before getting pregnant and haven't bothered to ask about another. Interestingly - that was about the time I went off of the BC pill, and my headaches have been around a lot less often since I stopped taking hormones. Which makes me wonder if OP's fluctuating pregnant lady hormones could have something to do with this?

Also, there is a gal over on my BMB who has headaches and had to be given something with codeine. I also had a nasty cold with a hellish cough and was given cough syrup with codeine (apparently it suppresses the cough reflex). I guess its one of those 'we'd rather not but at some point it becomes worth it to risk it'

sidey1 · May 2015

Glad to hear it's not baby related, I've been getting bad tension headaches everyone once in a while too I think from sleeping on my right side all the time since that's the only really comfortable position, tylenol helps a little but it will still be there in the background. Massage sounds heavenly!

KateLouise · May 2015

Hi ladies,

thanks for all of that, the doctors have only offered me paracetemol and suggested a chiropractor.

I'm wondering if it's anxiety/stress related too. I'm going to talk to my doctor about this tomorrow, as he prescribed an anti-anxiety a couple of weeks ago but I didn't take it because other symptoms went away. Then I read the possible side-effects and immediately felt my anxiety ratchet up a notch (my anxiety is always health/death related), so now I just don't know which way to jump.

I'm going to talk to him about pain-relief, anxiety and different options and basically just admit that I'm pretty sure I have crossed into a crazy place, and the best way to manage that.

Sigh.

jerseygirl227 · May 2015

I can't offer any help, but I do hope you feel better soon.

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

A chiropractor may help. I know when its really bad on that side I *really* want to crack my neck but can't. And once I get the muscles to loosen up and can finally crack it, its usually a deep, nice crack and feels good. Just being properly aligned may help you from carrying your shoulders and head in such a way as to cause the headache too. Good luck!

cneiding · May 2015

good to know it looks like it is nothing to be worried about

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