Question
I am a 26 year old female with upper left back, shoulder, between the shoulder blades, in the chest, arm and neck pain. I have been to a cardiologist and had numerous tests for the heart and have been assured it is not that. I can not figure out why my back and chest are constantly hurting. Its more the back and then sometimes, it seems to make its way to the chest, arm..ect. I was told today that I should see a neurologist because it could be neuropathy. I have been reading about it and it seems to be the consensus that this starts in the feet and hands... I do not have any issues with the feet. Sometimes my fingers feel tingly but not often. I did have a flare up when I was pregnant and they said it was from the extra fluid pressing on my nerves. After the pregnancy i developed high blood pressure seemingly over night and still take medication for that. The current pains started about 3 weeks ago and I just cant figure it out. Sometimes between my shoulder blades feels like it freezing, burning, tingling... Its very weird and I wanted to know if neuropathy was even a consideration in my case. I had some blood work done which showed my Rheumatoid factor was slightly elevated and my CPK levels were a little low. I don't know what all of this could mean.
Thank you for your time

Answer
Laura,

Neuropathy is nerve pain. There are many causes for it. It depends on the cause as to whether it starts in the hands and feet. Most often it does not. One of the major causes is pressure on a nerve. Pain like you describe can be caused by a bulging disk in your spine causing the pain to move along the never path to between your shoulders. While nerve pain may or may not be the cause it is consistent with your symptoms.

Rusty