Shoulder Pain...OUCH!

Terrilen · October 5, 2005

How long does the shoulder pain last? I was warned about it...but YIKES!!

It really hurts no matter how much walking I do or gasX I chew.

Any suggestions?

coyotegirl · October 5, 2005

I used and still use the "Icey Hot patches" It helped me a lot! I still get shoulder pain after a fill but not too bad.

nickie456 · October 6, 2005

It took about two weeks for most of the pain togo away. Then about another two weeks of just a little pain. It does get better hang in there.

TrishS · October 6, 2005

It does get better.... Try using a heating pad. and keep up that walking and drink lots of Water.< /p>

vinesqueen · October 6, 2005

take your pain meds. The shoulder pain is often not gas, but refered pain from the tube down your throat.

Hope you get better soon!

Anwyn · October 6, 2005

Ditto what Vinesqueen said about the pain meds. I was told it was referred pain caused by the band rubbing against the diaphram. I don't know what really causes it, I just know it hurts! Hope you feel better soon!!

DrHekier · October 7, 2005

Ditto what Vinesqueen said about the pain meds. I was told it was referred pain caused by the band rubbing against the diaphram. I don't know what really causes it, I just know it hurts! Hope you feel better soon!!

(Danger, the following contains boring medical information.)

The diaphragm muscle is supplied by cranial nerves 3, 4, and 5. If something irritates the diaphragm, it irritates those nerves as well. As it happens, cranial nerves 3, 4, 5 supply sensory innervation to the shoulder. So if something irritates the diaphragm then your spinal cord and brain interprete that pain as coming from your shoulder.

For example, long ago it was noted that people with a rupture of the spleen (such as in a traumatic event) complain of left shoulder pain. (This is known as Kehr's sign.) This is a result of blood and irritation of the left diaphragm causing referred pain to the left shoulder.