Anyone else told they don't know why they are in pain?

I was in a bad car accident 2 years ago. A motorcyclist hit my driver's side door and came through the window and hit my shoulder. I have had pain in my shoulder ever since. I have had MRIs, exrays and they said they can't see why I am still in pain. I went to physical therapy twice now, but it doesn't really help. The thing that does work for me is muscle relaxers and pain pills. But I hate going to the dr and being treated like some druggie. I can't take anti inflammatory because I have ulcers. I am finally going to see a shoulder specialist this week - what can I expect?

Hi Snarky, welcome to the forum, I'm sorry for the pain that caused you to seek this forum out, but I think you'll find it to be a great place for support and people that understand pain. Having been to a few shoulder specialists, I can give you a little idea as to what might happen.

First, I'll say it's not entirely uncommon for a doctor to not have the training to recognize all the different problems that can go on with the shoulder. I have had very extensive damage in my left shoulder for many years, and sought out a specialist in '06 to see how it was doing, but my insurance at the time required a referral from a GP, who said there was nothing wrong with it, and I had to point out the major defects on the MRI that I knew of. The specialist I saw a month later, said I need a full joint replacement, no surprise, since, after a scope in '02, I was told the same thing.

Well, I wouldn't necessarily expect a whole lot at your first appointment. They will go over your MRIs, and request new ones if what you have is past a certain age, and the pretty standard thing, regardless of the diagnosis, at least in my experience, is to order more PT, since, PT can help even further if you have a definitive diagnosis, and, if you have a diagnosis which requires surgery, PT beforehand, can help decrease the.healing time afterwards.

The doctor will look at your MRIs (make sure you bring the films or disc) and do a physical exam of your shoulder. Moving your arm around can tell them a lot, and sometimes they can "feel" problems, that didn't show up on the MRI. I wouldn't expect to spend more than 10-15 minutes with the doctor, but each doctor is different.

They might find nothing with your shoulder, don't be dismayed if that happens, mine was so filled up with scar tissue, the surgeon thought I had a botched MRI, with low resolution, it wasn't until after the scope that I had a definitive (and not very friendly) diagnosis. Also, it is possible, that your pain could be caused by something other than your shoulder, such as a bulging disc in your back (just to name one of the other hundred things that can cause shoulder pain).

I hope you get some help, and that this shoulder specialist figures out the problem. Take care, and keep us posted on what happens.