I had to quit my job after 11 years of doing repetitive factory work when I had severe bronchial pneumonia in 1990. During a severe coughing spell there was a loud pop under my left shoulder blade and sharp pain shot through to my chest taking my breath away. It was nearly 15 minutes before I could breathe normally. I thought I tore a muscle. The pain in the soulder blade eased but never completely went away. I had xrays, MRI, CAT scan and nerve conduction but found nothing. A week later I developed pleurisy on the opposite side that lasted for two months. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have since worked a very stressful office job but still have pain around the left shoulder blade that radiates up the neck with headaches (left side only) and down the left arm with tingling and numbness in pinky finger. My back and neck muscles have numerous painful knots.The pain at times becomes incompaciting and I have recently had to quit my job. I have since been diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome. I've been through numerous chiropractors, physical therapy, trigger point massage and electric stimuli to release muscle contractions. Trigger point therapy helps some but only short term and very expensive. I have been on every anti-depressant and muscle relaxers without much help. I'm allergic to most pain meds. I exercise daily and do stretching as instructed but then I feel worse. Lyrica didn't help and I am currently on cymbalta with very little help and terrible side effects. I also take xanax for sleep but I still only get 3-4 hours. I am at my wits end.