Virgo10 said:
Well if it feels like someone put an ice pick in your shoulder blade area, I can give you my take on that. I have bone spurs in my cervical spine. When I'm out of alignment that's the type of pain I feel. Hot sensation? Yeah, you could call it that and it causes the muscles in my neck to tighten up so that holding my head in a level position and not letting it go backwards is a chore.
I've found ice right on the ice pick site is the most effective thing I can do. I also use aspirin or extra strength tylenol every 3 to 4 hours. The prescription pain meds are only good for knocking me cold and during the day that is something I'd just as soon avoid.
After 24 to 48 hours, you should switch to heat. Oh and another helpful thing is to put the sorest spot up against a wall corner and lean into it gently. This will hurt but also help the muscles relax.
As always, I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV so if this is the first time this type of pain has happened to you, you should be seen by a professional.
Good luck!
I'm in about the same boat. I started having problems in December with mine, with a herniated disk, but the doctor told me just before they put an epidural in last week, that I also had spurs. And, also just mentioned that I have the back of an older person! EEk! Not exactly what I wanted to hear or know.
However, I already knew that I had arthritis running rampant in various areas and that it runs in my mom's side of the family, sometimes severely.
I picked up my FMLA paperwork today to turn in, and the doctor basically said that there were no guesses all around. Duration of problem, no telling.
How often will she be out?, no telling, etc...

Our FMLA coordinator will just love this one.:
I would definitely see your doctor. You may also have a herniated disk on top of any arthritis.
Oh and btw, that epidural hasn't made much of a difference! I may be talking to the doctors later this week to see about another shot.

I thought the whole point of that shot was to lay off the pain meds. Uh uh, not happening yet.
Good luck on your pain.
Kim