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Hi Doctor. I Am A 33 Year Old Female. I
Question: Hi Doctor.
I am a 33 year old female. I am generally well, I have a history of mind GERD and have recently had an full abdominal ultrasound that showed 1 gallstone. Everything else was clear.
My question is, sometimes when I drink alcohol I get shoulder pain. I have noticed this on and off for over 5 years. It doesn’t happen every time.
The pain is located along the top of my shoulder and sometimes in my chest a few inches under where my collarbone is.
I have recently googled pain with alcohol and I can’t help but notice a lot of information about alcohol pain and lymphoma.
I don’t have night sweats, I can’t feel any lympnodes, no extreme weight loss and I have recently had a normal full blood count.
Do you think I need to have this investigated further?
I am a 33 year old female. I am generally well, I have a history of mind GERD and have recently had an full abdominal ultrasound that showed 1 gallstone. Everything else was clear.
My question is, sometimes when I drink alcohol I get shoulder pain. I have noticed this on and off for over 5 years. It doesn’t happen every time.
The pain is located along the top of my shoulder and sometimes in my chest a few inches under where my collarbone is.
I have recently googled pain with alcohol and I can’t help but notice a lot of information about alcohol pain and lymphoma.
I don’t have night sweats, I can’t feel any lympnodes, no extreme weight loss and I have recently had a normal full blood count.
Do you think I need to have this investigated further?
Brief Answer:
compression phrenic nerve over right rib cage from distended gall bladder
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor services.
I have read your query and here is my advise.
* As per my clinical experience, shoulder pain is referred pain from pressure
over the area below right rib cage from where phrenic nerve passes to
thorax.
* The distension or inflammation of gall bladder from stone makes gall
bladder distend ( which increase after alcohol intake, spicy foods, high
dairy fat ) and exacerbate the situation.
It is the amount of distension which will decide level of compression and shoulder pain, as you have mentioned every time it is not happening.
Lymphoma is not of concern with mentioned symptoms only.
My guidelines at present
- No further work up necessary at this moment.
- Sequentially follow the pattern of shoulder pain with amount of alcohol
intake and over period of time, you can conclude which is the amount not
offering shoulder pain every time.
- Avoid dairy fat, spices, junk foods till possible which all will raise the gall
bladder contraction and pain.
- Control of your body weight, blood cholesterol levels, sugar serve best.
- Regular exercises, YOGA help better digestion and GERD as well.
* Further discussion is appreciated as per your concern and doubts, if
available, kindly attach ultrasound report and lab investigations as liver
function test or others if carried out during your last visit with your doc.
Awaiting for your response.
Wish you great day.
Regards.
Dr Bhagyesh ( MS consultant surgeon )
compression phrenic nerve over right rib cage from distended gall bladder
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor services.
I have read your query and here is my advise.
* As per my clinical experience, shoulder pain is referred pain from pressure
over the area below right rib cage from where phrenic nerve passes to
thorax.
* The distension or inflammation of gall bladder from stone makes gall
bladder distend ( which increase after alcohol intake, spicy foods, high
dairy fat ) and exacerbate the situation.
It is the amount of distension which will decide level of compression and shoulder pain, as you have mentioned every time it is not happening.
Lymphoma is not of concern with mentioned symptoms only.
My guidelines at present
- No further work up necessary at this moment.
- Sequentially follow the pattern of shoulder pain with amount of alcohol
intake and over period of time, you can conclude which is the amount not
offering shoulder pain every time.
- Avoid dairy fat, spices, junk foods till possible which all will raise the gall
bladder contraction and pain.
- Control of your body weight, blood cholesterol levels, sugar serve best.
- Regular exercises, YOGA help better digestion and GERD as well.
* Further discussion is appreciated as per your concern and doubts, if
available, kindly attach ultrasound report and lab investigations as liver
function test or others if carried out during your last visit with your doc.
Awaiting for your response.
Wish you great day.
Regards.
Dr Bhagyesh ( MS consultant surgeon )
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi doctor Thankyou for your reply.
Sometimes the pain is on the left hand side, isn’t the gallbladder on the right? Can pain refer to the left?
Sometimes the pain is on the left hand side, isn’t the gallbladder on the right? Can pain refer to the left?
Brief Answer:
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the follow up.
* In first explanation, shoulder pain site is not mentioned by you.
To be clear here, gall bladder related referred pain will involve right
shoulder only and for the left shoulder pain, detailed evaluation with x-ray
chest , cervical spine or MRI as per the clinical judgement will be required
if it is consistent on regular basis.
Have a great day.
Take care.
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the follow up.
* In first explanation, shoulder pain site is not mentioned by you.
To be clear here, gall bladder related referred pain will involve right
shoulder only and for the left shoulder pain, detailed evaluation with x-ray
chest , cervical spine or MRI as per the clinical judgement will be required
if it is consistent on regular basis.
Have a great day.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi Doctor,
I have had a full abdominal ultrasound and everything was normal, my bloods were normal (liver function, pancreases ect)
My question was in relation to if I should be concerned about Lynphoma because when I research pain after consuming alcohol that came up a lot.
With no swollen nodes, and a clear full blood count do you think I have a reason to be concerned?
I have had a full abdominal ultrasound and everything was normal, my bloods were normal (liver function, pancreases ect)
My question was in relation to if I should be concerned about Lynphoma because when I research pain after consuming alcohol that came up a lot.
With no swollen nodes, and a clear full blood count do you think I have a reason to be concerned?
Brief Answer:
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
No with the narrated symptoms, investigations reports , I do not see any reason for you to be concerned of lymphoma just by google assumption.
Thanks.
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
No with the narrated symptoms, investigations reports , I do not see any reason for you to be concerned of lymphoma just by google assumption.
Thanks.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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