I recently had a bad cold and although its almost completely gone I've been having a horrible time with shoulder and neck pain. The odd thing about it is that the pain normally doesn't come on until night time hours and its always on the right side.

I didn't have the problem before the cold and haven't done anything out of the ordinary so I know its not a pulled muscle.

Has anyone ever had this problem? Do you have any solutions/suggestions? If the problem persists past this weekend I plan on going to the doctor but I really hate to be a baby about it and waste the dr's time with a symptom from a common head cold. Any feedback appreciated - thanks

Perhaps the pain is positional when you sleep? Also, I have pulled muscles doing NOTHING out of the ordinary, simply misturned limbs or torsos can do it. I don't ordinarily see body pain related to cold (except the achy feeling that often accompanies any illness). Also, body alignment, backs and such can cause pain with specific body positions (such as though you sleep with) a visit to a Chiropractor is not a bad idea every once in a while. If they pain persists, I do agree with speaking to a physician. She may find something that ordinary mortals don't know to look for.

Shoulder pain can sometimes be due to irritation of the diaphragm; on the right side, the gallbladder can be the source. It certainly could also be a pinched nerve in the neck referring to the shoulder. I personally don't think a chiropracter is the best place to start looking for a diagnosis; they never saw a pain for which manipulation isn't needed. But I'm sure not everyone agrees...

I agree with the sleeping positon, although I have had an inflammation of the rib cage from a severe cough, they gave me naproxin and steroids, to calm it down, any antiflammatory meds, like ibuprofin might help. But as far as the positioning of your shoulder, when you sleep... I have found thru numerous chiropractor appointments, and too many doctors that it's best to align your head even with your spine, find just the right size pillow and its best to sleep on your side with your leg propped on a pillow, I have purchased a body pillow and it's the best choice I ever made. If you are tucking your shoulder and arm under your pillow that may be the problem. Hope you feel better!

I lived with a similar pain for 6 months, thinking it was just a cold, and the pain would go away eventually. It did eventually go away, after I went to a Doctor, and I was diagnosed as having pneunomia.

This may not be you problem because my pain was on the right side, but lower, located in the rib cage, instead of the shoulder. An Xray may determine the problem.