HomeAnswersUrologyback painWhy is my urologist not concerned about the pain under my shoulder blades after drinking fluids?

Why do I feel pain under the shoulder blades after drinking fluids?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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iCliniq medical review team

Published At April 29, 2022
Reviewed AtAugust 20, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Last year I had a kidney stone of 0.23 inch at the junction of the left ureter with the bladder. After three months, it passed out without surgery and I was symptom-free. But, for the last five months, I am suffering from mild mid-back pain, pressure, and tightness after drinking fluids. The pain is felt under the shoulder blades. It is mostly on the left side, but sometimes I feel it on the right side as well. The pain is mild and it starts within minutes after drinking fluids, then it subsides after a few more minutes. As I mentioned, it feels like a tightness or pressure under the shoulder blades. I do not feel any pain if I do not drink any fluid. I had a pelvic and kidney ultrasound which came out to be normal. I also got urine tests and blood tests done, and they also came as normal. Creatinine was in the normal range too. My urologist does not seem to be concerned at all but the pain makes me worried, and I sometimes avoid drinking fluids to avoid the pain. I also had this specific symptom for the first time when I had a kidney stone last year, but it disappeared and then I started feeling the pain again for five months now.

Answered by Dr. Ankush Jairath

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There is no correlation between shoulder pain/heaviness/tightness with drinking fluids, that is why your urologist is not much concerned. As there is no underlying pathology, so nothing is to be done. My suggestion to you is to drink as much water as you want but a little at a time. Like do not drink full or half glass in one go, but in little quantities after small intervals.

Thanks. Regards.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you, but I did not mention that I have shoulder pain. I mentioned that I have back pain under my shoulder blades, just above the kidneys or around both kidneys. That is why, I was concerned that the pain might be coming from my kidneys.

Answered by Dr. Ankush Jairath

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Fine. I got it. But, if your ultrasound and renal functions are normal so, it rules out any kidney pathology. There are high chances that this pain is related to the spine rather than the kidneys but, rest assured you do not need any medical treatment right now. Moreover, if you are not still 100 percent convinced then you can get CT (computed tomography) urography done which will rule out any renal pathology with 100 percent accuracy.

Thanks. Regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ankush Jairath
Dr. Ankush Jairath

Urology

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