shoulder blade pain/ pneumonia

teach6
teach6 Member Posts: 54
edited December 2016 in Pain

After a week of extreme point specific shoulder blade pain, I was diagnosed with pneumonia through chest MRI. I have had a cold, but not coughing or feverish. Been taking hydrocodone pain pills and applying heat to relieve some of the pain. Been on antibiotics for 4 days and the pain is just starting to let up. Now, I'm noticing neuropathy tingling and numbness. (This is on my non-cancer side) Body bone scan and blood clot ultrasound is negative. I have never had pneumonia before and am confused with this non-coughing, no problem breathing diagnosis. What I do know is he pain is still overwhelming! I hate taking pain pills, but don't know what else to do. Anyone else have this diagnosis? Can I expect relief soon? Thanks for listening- K.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2016

    Just stopping to bump your post, in the hopes that someone with experience will see it and weigh in. I'm glad the pain is starting to let up and hope things continue to improve, hopefully quickly now... Deanna

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  • ravzari
    ravzari Member Posts: 277
    edited November 2016

    It's possible you have/had "walking pneumonia", which a lot of people mistake for just a cold.

    Walking pneumonia is still pneumonia, it's the same thing, it's just a phrase used to describe someone who has pneumonia but not to the point that they end up coughing, wheezing, and almost bedridden and can usually go about daily activities as though it's just a cold. Some people with "walking pneumonia" don't show any symptoms of what people think of when they think of pneumonia at all. What you thought was a cold was likely the pneumonia, only it created milder symptoms in you.

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneu... explains it pretty well.


    If you live with other people, they should be careful to monitor their health if they start to develop cold-like symptoms, as it IS contagious (symptoms in others usually start after 2-3 weeks) and, unlike a cold, can (and usually is) be treated with antibiotics after diagnosis.


    The shoulder pain could be coincidental or it's possible it could be a side effect of the infection in your lungs.

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2016

    Did you strain something while exercising? Muscle pulls can happen and even sleeping funny can give me an achy day.

    DH says that when he motorcycles or stresses his arms, he gets pretty bad pain right between the shoulder blades. Try to think back if you lifted something or over-vacuumed (OY, those vacuums can be heavy).

    I had walking pneumonia in my 20s and coughed so badly, my boss finally forced me to go to the doctor. I never felt ill, just the relentless cough.

    Hope all resolves soon for you.

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  • teach6
    teach6 Member Posts: 54
    edited December 2016

    Thanks for your suggestions! I have been busy trying to get the pain under control and find answers.

    I'm having physical therapy sessions for shoulder strengthening. Rhomboids are very sore and the scapular is winging out.

    Guess I will blame yoga as the trigger. I'm finally taking less pain medication, but can't do without yet. ((Hugs)) to you all

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  • luaubee
    luaubee Member Posts: 11
    edited December 2016

    Hi Teach6, Walking Pneumonia is a thing, I had it years ago and it just settles in the lung, mine took 2 rounds of antibiotics to clear up so stick with those.

    I recall warm/hot baths and the heating pad helped too.

    Oddly enough I just spoke to my yoga class instructor about returning to classes in the New Year and she pointed me toward 2 of their gentle recovery Yin Yoga sessions.

    I miss my regular exercise and really want to get back at it!


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