Seeking Ideas on Burning Sensation; Chest/Upper Back Area

  • Thread starter Thread starter chablis3
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Hi Chablis, yeah it seems us spineys are always having pain..if not constantly, then on & off... I get various pains in my spine, arthritis pain, nerve pain, muscle pain, etc. as well as in other joints too. It seemed like my rheumy thought I had lupus & fibro but now all of a sudden it seems like he doesnt know. I know how frustrating it all is.

Sorry that you ended up in the ER on your vacation, that's a bummer. But at least they found something & youre being treated for it. I get alot of bladder infections on & off too and I have to have some bladder tests done next week.

THey can be caused by bacteria for various reasons - like bacteria getting in there from the outside; holding too long before going to the bathroom; or there can be several medical conditions that cause you to not to empty your bladder completely, which causes too much urine to stay in the bladder for too long, and then bacteria can multiply b/c it's not leaving your system. And there are certain diseases that put you more at risk for getting these infections such as diabetes, kidney problems, some autoimmune diseases, some spine problems can damage nerves to the bladder....

Sometimes I get weird bladder problems but no infection is found. To me many flares i've had seem to coincide with times I have bad spine problems (heriations, stenosis, sciatica). I mentioned that to my Gyno (who is sending my for my bladder tests)..I said might it be related to my spine problems & she said it could be, but wants me to have some additional tests done. So that is good, as least she is concerned about it; unlike my rheumy, who didnt think anything of it. And ditto on feeling like I have a 2nd career visiting doctors and labs and imaging centers!

I think you probably should have the bladder issue checked out to make sure nothing else is going on.
 
chk, I hope you get relief, When I went to reab. doctor to get the emg done I remeraber him telling me that there is a certain location in the c-spine that can give off some thoracic symptoms, I have alot of problems under the scapula area, where the emg was performed in that area stayed sore for weeks after. I will be returning to him monday, I did not know nor did he that I would be returning to him for treatment so curious to see what he says & does. I have heard bad & good about the injections so I am alittle fearful of that. What I don't understand is noone has tried any anti inflammatories with me other then motrin & celebex, I am assuming because they have tried steroiRAB (7day pack) with no lasting effects. So I am curious to see how you do. I also wanted to tell you when my pain got uncontrollable I did have anxiety attacks, bad enough for one doc. to have me transported from her office by ems to hospital, I was told that the pain can throw all vitals off & mine were off the charts, they honestly were fearful because of my heart rate so don't be to afraid of taking the xanax, pain can do some strange things to you & not worth taking risks with other problems occurring. does not happen to often with me @ this point but when I feel my heart rate kicking up do to pain I take at least 1/2 dose of xanax or valium, which are already small doses. It does seemto calm me down, I heard xanax does not make you as tired, it does not do to bad with me.The doctor told me to control my vitals I will have to keep the pain under control. Hope it works well for you. Sammy
 
I am just a bit confused(nothing new there) in your first post you stated that 'nothing could be found' as the possible trigger for your pain,but in this last one you mentioned herniated discs within your neck?believe me, herniated discs within your neck most certainly can be causing any nuraber of various types of pain issues.what did your neurologist actually say about the possible correlation?if i were you,i would actually see a good neurosurgeon and not neurologist just for a consult as to what could be causing what.they just have a much much clearer understanding of how discs/nerves can create pain.i have had to see plenty of both ologists and surgeons and the neurosurgeons just really have a much better overall working understanding of the c spine(they actually go in there).if you have anything more than just a headache, you need the expertise of a good neurosurgeon.

just exactly what did your MRI state about your biggest c spine issues?do you have your own copy of the reports?if not,get them and see what it states in the summary at the end?do you have any posterior bulging in any c spine disc that could be making some level of actual contact with your cord at all?"something' really appears to be irritating the heck out of a nerve or nerves somewhere up there,or you would not be having the symptoms you are currently experiencing,there just has to be a trigger ya know?i really do think just seeking out a full eval with an NS really could help you better define the real issues within your c spine.most NSs will just look at your films themselves and really don't go by what any radiologist read states.they just have much more experience in seeing the smaller things that could be causeing much bigger symtoms.it wouldn't hurt at this point.you need answers and it does not appear that your neurologist really knows whats up,a good NS most likely would.this would really be my next step for answers if i were you.i DO wish you luck in finding out why this is occuring,beliebve me, i know how you feel right now.please keep us posted,K? marcia
 
chk, I am looking into the massage therapy this week, since I have mega medical bills I hope the insurance pays, if not I will see about getting something like it through pt or chiro. At this point what do I have to loose, going to put new tread up see if anyone else tried it & with what results. Please let me know when or if you start & how it is going, sorry your suffering so much, really tires you out don't it? I have to find clothes I can wear for fall with out a bra, really sick of this not being able to wear a bra stuff, lots of clothes I can't wear because of it. Sammy
 
Hello fellow thoracic chest and back pain sufferers. I have just returned from HSS in an effort to help identify our pain. I had a triple phase bone scan with a radioactive isotope, MRI of the thoracic spine and ct scan of the thoracic spine. Incidentally it is the seventh ct scan this year relating to my chest and thoracic spine. I have also had a full body emg. I am awaiting the results and will compare them to other tests I have had prior. I am consulting with seven prominent orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons and am determined to find a gdam freaking answer to why we are all suffering the same pains with very similar diagnoses'. I will keep everyone posted and please keep me posted as well. I am a 41 year old male who is sick and tired of feeling like hell everyday. I was an avid athlete and plan on getting back to my life.
 
chk & all, Terrable morning, went to stay night with my daughter who is attending school 40 minutes away(way out in the country), woke up this morning rolled over felt a snap/crack in shoulder area. Knew I was probably in trouble, sure enough got up ten minutes later boom could not move arm, my sister(whom my daughter is going to school form her house) took a look at my rib area & said wow does your doctor know how swollen that gets? NO doctor has bothered to look, although I keep telling them it hurts & so on... well everyone left waited four hrs. took meRAB put ice & hot moist compresses on , got into my car & knew when I put the seatbelt on I was probably not going to make it, got 1 mile down the rd. lifted my arm & thought I would pass out from the pain, heart rate was going like crazy, turned around went back to my sisters she sat with me till my sister in law came to give me a ride home. So I scheduled my ct scan & told myself I am done waiting for these doctors to help give me relief, I am looking into theraputic massage & possably going back to the chiropracter. Just can't sit around letting it ruin my life, one more time of missing work & I am done, so wish me luck! Don't know if I am doing the right thing but can't wait around anymore. Have reached beyond desperate. CHK, let me know howw you are doing with the chiropracter, I went last fall & winter did get some relief but never lasted long & got pretty expensive. Good Luck, Sammy
 
Hello everyone. Just checking in to see if anyone has found an answer to our pain. I am going to a Chiropractor this morning. Hoping he can at least do something to take the edge off. Been a really stressful couple of weeks. I am the Mammographer as well as the office manager of our practice and we have been short-handed. Of course I get to take up the slack and do 3 jobs. I notice that as my pain worsens during the day, I get more anxious and on edge. I get very emotional and can break down at any minute. Anyone else feel that way? It also makes me sort of paranoid. I have been worried about my job among other things and that is something I have never felt insecure about. Its almost like I cant think rationally.

Anyway, we will see how it goes today.

Have a good one!

Cindy
 
CHK, I do the same, get very emotional, pain is stressfful on its own, throw everything else in there with it work, family ,life, I can be come overwhelmed by just thinking about dealing with some aspect of life. I have been far worse since doc changed meRAB on friday, back to more pain, I am returning to work wed.(tommorrow), I am scared I am not ready, but work presurring me & fearful of losing job. I am going to try some new topical creams, one used for horses suppose to have a cooling effect & maybe help with infammation alittle. Ill try anything to get some relief, can't get into rehab, doc till sept,10. I really feel for you, Everyday I wondered if I could make it through the day @ work, I was hoping to feel better when I returned. Worried sick. So much pain last night did not even want to cry afraid it would hurt even more. One day at a time, that is how I have to deal with it,maybe tommorrow will be better. I think feeling alittle paranoid may come in because of the pressure of having to perform on the job in pain, we know we are not feeling ourselves & in the back of My mind I always wonder am I giving my best? SounRAB like you have alot to handle right now, dont be to hard on yourself all you can do is your best. Sammy
 
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. I am still seeing the chiropractor. Not sure how much its helping my symptoms. I have good days & bad. We bought a hot tub a couple of months ago to put in our sunroom and finally got it hooked up and running this past weekend. Im hoping it will help my back or at least give me some temporary relief.

Hope you have a good day! :)
 
How did it go today?
I had a bad day today and was emotionally tired. Its hard to keep a happy face.
Norene

I shocked my neigrabroadour today with a big hug. She was canvassing the street for donations for Arthritis.
 
Sammy, I dont think an MRI would mention ankylosing spondylitis. I believe it would take more than an MRI to diagnose that condition; though it would give clues. I think I mentioned ankylosing spondylosis previously in this thread as it went along with alot of the symptoms some are experiencing here. Do a search on it and see. Also ask your Dr about it. I had my Dr order some blood tests a couple of wks ago. I had a CBC, Sedimentation Rate, C- Reactive Protein and HLA B27. I had been searching the internet to see if any blood tests could help diagnose my problem and found this:

"HLA B27: Your doctor may order this test if you have joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. HLA type B27 is associated with autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and Reiter syndrome. The test may be done along with other tests, including an ESR, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor."

All of my test results were fine. (thankfully)

I have felt better the past couple of days. I am still seeing the Chiropractor and having the (non surgical) Cervical Decompression. I think its helping. Im not having so much rib pain, tingling, etc and not as many spasms in my upper back. He has also been adjusting my neck. He (and the PM Dr) believe my problem is more related to my C spine problem at C 5-6 & C 6-7 causing symptoms in my upper back radiating around to my ribs on the left side.
 
Ok everyone where do I start, My frustation level is up so high, First of all little baby steps again from this doc. Another test,wow surprise. & then wait 2 wks to get back in. He asked do you think It is coming from the neck or the back? How the heck do I know, since most of the time it all hurts. He did the making me move the neck & arms all over, then grabbed my left arm & held it up,PAIN, then proceded to push on my back, more pain. Of course I know he has to do this,but I don't have to like it. He said the muscles in the scapula area are in knots, & of course there is a heck of alot of inflammation. Then the same thing every single doctor has said "where there is inflammtion there is pain" which of course I already knew. So of course PT may be in my future again because have to try to get inflammation down. Interesting thing he said was acupuncture may be best for me because so inflammed pt never worked before. Also said he wants to be exact on the area to focus on So a ct of the chest area is next,chest area is really inflammed also.

so ok what exactly does a ct show? anyone know, may have to post a new thread. My husband was furious because he said took you a month to get in now another 2 wks for follow up & all this time your in pain & living on pills. Why does he not start some kind of therapy now? Told my husband I have no clue in to much pain when I left to ask, said keep icing & moist heat.

I was not quite with it (the Lryica I think) & the docter did get frustated with me because I was he*****t to move my neck & arm fully, I had such a headache yesturday & my arm hurt so bad. Where are the good patient doctors? once again the results from the other doc. was not faxed over even though they had a month to do it. He also did not totally agree with last doc. so back to square one. All I know is what I went in knowing,besides all the nice little knoted muscles in my back. I knew not to get my hopes up. So my life continues to be on hold. Really frustating. Hard to stay positve at times. My patience is at the end I think, my husbanRAB is really at the end. I swear I thought he was angry with me, I told him if he is this frustated imagine how I feel, after all I am the one in pain. Sorry guys so long, had to vent alittle. Sammy
 
Welcome to the spiney board! Along with a bunch of other pain my upper back is messed up too. So far they haven't found a reason for the pain, but it's only been 5 years or so. The burning, stabbing, aching is common and it does go into the chest. Sometimes it even mimics a heart attack! Hang in there we are all in this together. Fred
 
Yes, I have good days & bad. I have to push myself most of the times to do the things that need to be done.
Pretty sore & stiff this morning right between my shoulder blades from the Myofascial release yesterday I assume. He did both sides even though my pain only seems to be on the left. I am looking around for a good massage therapist.
 
CHUEHN1,(wrote earlier must not have gone through) OMG, sure sounRAB alot like my symptoms, dont know if you seen the MRI results I posted at one time,so here is a brief decscription:Osteopenic changes noted in thoracic spine. C5-6Mild broad based posterior disc protrusion without compromising exiting nerve roots, C6-7 Mild hypertrophic changes & minimal disc bulge.Degenerative disc disease and spondylosis also noted in the cervical spine. Do you know if MRI reports specify how for down or what part of spine included in test? This only mentions the T1&2, also it states Axial images obtained from the levels of C3-4, down through C7-T1. So was any images done of C1 & 2, really confused never even thought about it until I read your message. yours seems to show more than mine, although my sister was in pain for 4yrs. had MRI in beginning of problem showed nothing major,much later (years when her problem appeared on another MRI), big problems to, go figure. I am disgusted, going for EMG monday,although Neuro says not expecting anything to show, bone scan of shoulder area tommorrow. Looking into shoulder, which does not explain other symptoms, My chest area,rib(under breast) arm and shoulder,upper back really hurt, can go up neck all the way to hip,all left side. Mostly upper Left torso, nurabness & tingling in hand,fingers, sometimes left foot (burning feeling, or hot spots) ,left leg can feel heavy & so forth, pain really starting to radiate in upper to mid back. No bra since May. Went through whole cardiac work up, including heart cath(when it started (approx:21/2 years ago) & again last week. When I moved in my new house,I know for a fact I hurt myself moving in and continued to get bad through work,I am a home healthcare aide,used to do some major lifting & I am not big. Been to so many docs. so many opinions right down to being told to get psych, help, of course now that it is out of control new Docs office paying aliitle attention, I am not really blaming them I just feel they need to listen alittle better. PT pointed out most of problems, totally swelled in neck, shoulder, major & minor Pec. Area & under ribs. Can't tell you how many docs. thought at first it was shingles., interesting thing when ever sugar tested lately in office or ER it was up, said it could be from pain, you ever have yours checked before all this, even though I was on steriod pack, mine was off before that. I will tell you just discovered while I was on steroiRAB still in pain, went in got and extra injection of steroiRAB in hip, along with script for low dose of oxycodone, felt better for couple days, soon as steroid finished (same day) muscle spasms like crazy and pain, has to be the inflammation, doc. just started me on lyrica couple days ago, I also tried the lid.patch,did nothin. Pain really radiating in upper and mid back lately. Off work for now & really worried about my job. First visit with Neuro, seen him all of 2 minutes, never even asked hardly any questions, not even for PT report, not real encougaed there, plan on trying to corner him next appointment. did not even want notes my doc. told me to make (of symptoms & take to him). by the way my cardiac test were slightly abnormal to, mentioned once again maybe pain, be careful it is not your heart, all these meRAB. & Pain can't possably be good for it, stress to. I am praying for results to. Cannot bare it much longer ruining my life. PT was only one who said with those symptoms has to something Neuro., he sent me back to doc, because could not control swelling & pain, can barely lift my arm most mornings because of shoulder hurts so much, pulls chest area and it is off and running, heart starts racing if not controlled and send my vitals rith off chart. Any of this sound familair to you? PLEASE write back, maybe we can compare & see what happens. Sammy
 
chab, I am glad I am not the only one who goes through that with the husband, mine to. Makes me feel guilty, but I am not much fun right now. Well went for MRI & was told when I arrived only one area on script from doc. was approved, they said someone should have called me. Talk about being mad! If nothing shows in the area done I am back to waiting, & since the inflammation/pain is in all the areas I can only hope the problem shows in the shoulder area the insuance approved for the mri. Up in the night could not move my neck or arm, my husband could not touch my back aroud the scapula area this morning, all those areas were suppose to be in the mri, including the chest, which is so inflammed it is hard like a rock. The tech.doing the mri had to weight my hand down with a bean bag went into muscle spasms when I laid down & he was afraid the arm would move during the test. Big fun! So I am praying what ever the problem is shows up in the area that the insurance company(that we pay so much for) allowed the mri on. So please everyone wish me luck. Sammy
 
Ok any of you have the muscle spasms in the chest area? they are waking me up again in my sleep & I cannot tolererate that feeling, scares the crap out of me. Don't know what to do about it. I have heard good & bad about chiros so don't know, I got relief but it never lasted . Second person I have chated with giving chiro. a try, I hope you both get relief. Interesting to hear the results from both of you given you both are seeing the chiro. (starting off) around the same time.

Arth itis, the weather in michigan is god awful right now, I have been feeling awful for the last few days, Just think what we have to look forward to (ha). feels like oct. Lets hope we are over it for a while, we will have this weather soon enough. I sure hope I am abit better by the time for fall (hate fall), giving how slow the doctors move I doubt it. Hope we both feel better as the weather improves. Sammy
 
Boy I hope I don't experiance that with Lyrica, We will have hot flashes soon enough. I am trying it cause I am at my wits end, I need to get back to work, three appointments next week and neuro should have the test results at least for blood, bone scan and EMG, next friday. Want to be back at work the following week, if I still have clients left. Bone scan today, Maybe something will show, any one else you know of have a bone scan, I go for ultra sound on my breast, after two mammagrams, thursday,everyone keeps asking if I am worried, no I need to get out of this pain, then maybe Ill worry about the ultrasound. I may have to lock the nuero in the room with me friday to get answers, almost feel desperate enough to do it. vicophren, that has a little anti inflammatory in it, does'nt it? part motrin is it not. I don't think much though. I start on 2 Lryrica next tues. 50 mg each, I was alittle tired driving today, when do you take your doses? Sammy
 
I guess we can start a frustration club, I am in thats for sure, had to apologize to family today so moody, tired of pain with no explantion, & tired of meRAB, then spoke to my sister-law-law in florida who was diagnosed with cancer and felt I should aprreciate what I have, I do but hard. I hope I get some answers soon, new post in spinal cord forum, also pain in chest area I believe it said burning under breast ect....Don't quote me tired, if interested for you all take a look under "new on board" thread. We will all keep looking, right, don't have a choice. Sammy
 
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