middle back pain

[habebelove]

My middle and upper back has been hurting for two days now. I went to the doctor and they gave me fexil to take but that is not helping me. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[ms_west]

I am going to assume that you have had no prior spinal surgery and offer you the following advice:

1. Try alternating every 20 minutes with heat/cold packs.
2. Take ibuprophen/motrin around the clock.
3. Do not lie on your stomach. Lie on your side with a pillow in between your knees or lie on your back with two pillows under your knees.
4. Do not lift, twist, or bend. Squat at the knees.
5. Take small walks - helps to loosen the muscles and does not allow everything to tighten up.
6. Rest for 48 hours. Then once you are over this flare, begin strengthen your core muscles by excercising.
7. If symptoms continue or worsen after 2 weeks, see your doctor for xray and MRI.

If you experience, Loss of control of bladder or bowel, call your doctor immediately. This could be a sign of a medical emergency.

Good luck and I pray that you feel better soon.

 

[dixiedi]

You have been given some good advice and I second that if the pain does not go away and symptoms continue to worsen, go to your doctor again for further testing. I have had mid back pain for almost 2 years now and after so many negative tests, PT, injections that didn't work, etc. I was finally referred for a discogram which located the herniated discs in my thoracic back. I am going in for fusion surgery Tuesday. I hope your pain subsides and you don't have to go thru all the testing but be persistant if the pain doesn't stop. It is very rare to have herniated discs in the thoracic area unless you have suffered some trauma in that area. Good luck.