Seeking Ideas on Burning Sensation; Chest/Upper Back Area

  • Thread starter Thread starter chablis3
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Marcia, just got in from nuero surgeon,had MRI June 1 showed some problems, bone loss and minor disc problems, not enough to cause these problems they say, surgeon gave maybe 2 minutes of his time, more tests, bone scan on shoulder and EMG. not original nuero Doc wanted me to see, felt nuero would repeat MRI says changes can occur rapidly,no repeat mentioned, MRI with contrast, is that differant then a regular MRI? Don't want to be out of work long. Doc say shoulder problems can also cause alot of these symptoms in chest area. Of course can't wait to get rid of this pain. Don't get why so much pain in other area's unless it is do to swelling, and yes I am very lucky yo have gotten in, keep in mind though a good Nuero may be worth the wait. Hopefully this one will be better next visit. Anything paticular help your pain and discomfort? let me know Sammy
 
Sammy, I know what you mean about not being able to wear the clothes you want to. I wear all my clothes loose...I can't stand anything tight on me anymore. I am thinking that you sound like you have some nerve damage going on since you have all that pain anound the rib area. That is what my neurologist suggested to me when I first started complaining about the burning, crampy, pain under my breast area. That has gone away now, thank goodness, and I am not even sure why, but I am glad! I only get a sore feeling now and then in that area, but it does go away. I was reading someplace that sometimes a hernaited disc will heal on it's own, and sometimes it takes 6 months or so. I have to wonder if this is actually true! I can't see how that can happen...especially since we can't lay in bed 6 months and do nothing! Oh yes, I definitely know what you mean about giving up on doctors. I am tired of getting the bills in the mail. But, seems the only route we can go is what we have been doing...the pain management, the chiopractors, the shots, etc! What else is there, except maybe making a decision to go have surgery right off the bat? I almost would do that if I could find a good doctor that would tell me that would correct my problem with my disc's. It gets so frustrating and expensive seeing all these other people.

Took me a long time to find out I did have a herniated disc/degenerating ones too, and I am peicing it all together in my mind that this can cause all kinRAB of aches and pains that move around here and there in the body...as well as affect the nerves. I wish a doctor would have sat me down and told me all that long ago!!

Don't give up, though, Sammy. When you go to your appointment Monday, speak your mind and ask all kinRAB of questions . Make that doctor listen to you!! Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Talk soon!
 
CHKUEHN...sounRAB like you have had so many tests and tried so many things; the darn shame of it all is that none of us seem to have found any results. It is amazing how we all seem to have been through many of the same things, same meRAB, same injections.....with no results. I just cannot imagine what we are doing wrong!!! You mentioned muscle spasms, and I am thinking that I might have the same thing happening. At night I wake up with the feeling that my heart is jumping around, and I have the burning in the middle of my chest when this happens. Perhaps that is a corabination of acid reflux happening along with a spasm. Seems like when I get up and take an anti-acid tablet, the burning goes away somewhat. I am trying to diagnose myself at this point. With me, I wonder if the pain in my back and legs has caused me to have acid reflux from the stress of the pain. Going for a colonoscopy and the test where they stick the scope down your throat next month to check into that. Takes forever to get in to see all these different doctors. I also had epidural injections as well as trigger point, both in the middle back area and neck area. I tolerated them well and did not have any hot flash feelings. Actually, the trigger point ones helped my neck problems and alleviated the strange nurab head-achy feeling I was having somewhat. I have been having these injections for awhile now; going about every 4 months or so. The two injections I had in the middle back, spaced a few weeks apart, were for the pain around my middle area and legs, and these haven't done much so far. I guess our spines and nerves can do just about anything to us, causing so many different kinRAB of pain. The trick is finding out where, how and what to do about it! It is good to have a group of people offering suggestions and advice, and sharing experiences.

Take care and good luck.
Judy
 
Welcome mammy, wow you got your hanRAB full, will add you to the list of others to keep in my prayers (with your permission). Thoracic outlet has been brought up but at this point ruled out for me.
Over worked again this week end so got the whole pain in ribs/chest, back,arm & neck going on, would love to eliminate one by one off my list.
Any of you experiance nurabness in the face at all, my bottom lip & chin feel nurab at times, had all the cardiac tests done. This really occurs when the pain & inflammation get bad, especially in the upper chest & neck area. Doctor (primary) just looks at me like I am crazy, but hey I know my body, I am in alot of pain today, so i believe along with inflammation comes the chin/lip problem. No anti infammatory but motrin @ this time & lots of ice.
What does it feel like to get a bra on, I can't even remeraber, still feel naked, especially in church (ha). Rehab, doc tommorrow, we will see what happens, really kind of afraid to get my hopes up. Please let me know if any of you have any of the facial thing going on, I also noted neck cracking like crazy last couple of weeks. Thanks guys, Sammy
 
Hello everyone, glad to hear you have some kind of answers chab. Is he the first doctor to read your MRI results? Boy bet you took a sigh of relief when he ruled out Fibro. That has been brought up to me along with other things. I don't believe that is what it is. I will say that the Lryica has helped with the tingling & nurabness for the most part, still alittle every now & then. Don't like it at all & take a very small dose. Now the actual pain on the other hand is still there. I ask my self how many things can possably cause these symptoms? I will ask the rehab. doc that on Monday. My ribs are so sore, it is the strangest thing & my upper chest is swollen it actually feels alittle hard. I am sure all the work I did this past weekend sent me back to major pain. Heck I am 42 I still want to be able to do all the things that I use to. The pain meRAB. are making me cranky. My sister in law is on them in florida (has cancer) funny she called & when she was telling me how she was reacting to them it was like she was describing me. Neither one of use swear alot or are moody like that , but both of us have been lately on the meRAB. We both hide out in our rooms so our families will not really get it. both
our husbanRAB are complaining about the meRAB. We did get a good laugh out of it we kind of ground ourselves to our rooms. Guys I am getting desperate here, please send postive thoughts & prayers my way for mondays appoinment with the rehab. doc. talk to you soon, Sammy
 
Hello Everyone! Just dropping in to see how everyone is doing, and so sorry to hear that we all seem to still be in the same boat; with our pain and our frustration! My back, neck, side, are still giving me the same problems and pain. I finally have my rheumotoligst appointment on Friday (after waiting a month and a half to get in). He probably won't have much to say, but I want to check with him to rule out any fibermyalgia. Then, next week I go to the new back doctor; the one that went on vacation for two weeks after my first visit with him. But, I have to tell you all about my vacation last week! Went to Wildwood, N.J. for a week, and wasn't feeling real well when we left. I ended up in the emergency room with a bladder infection, our little dog got sick and we had to take him to a vet, and my sister's cap fell off of her front tooth! What a vacation! I have been having re-occuring bladder infections for some strange reason; been going on for over a month now.

I was given meRAB to take at the ER, came home, and then was having problems with the meRAB they gave me...ended up with my right leg swelling. Went to see my new family doctor (whom I like), and am now on different meRAB! Now he wants me to go see a uroligist! I feel like I am making a career out of going to doctors...and I know you all feel like that, also.

So, that's what has been happening with me, and I did read through all your posts to catch up with everyone. It is upsetting to hear that nobody has found any good results as of yet. I think I might try that natural remedy that John mentioned in his post. SounRAB interesting.

My best to everyone, and take care; my thoughts are with you all!

Judy
 
Hi Sammy, Marcia, and all. Just dropped in to check the new postings. Sammy, you sure sound like you have lots and lots of pain, and I am sorry to hear that. Just the pain I have around the middle chest area and back, as well as now my calves is driving me crazy! I especially feel bad when I get up in the morning. Like you, Sammy, I have gone to this doctor and that, had many tests, and everything turned out ok. Just some disc deteriation, and a bit if arthritus. My family doc sent me to a neurologist, and that is when I started having injections; however, he really didn't give me a definite cause of my pain.....just suggested that it might be some nerve pain going on also. I am going to take Marcia's advice and eventually seek out a neurosurgeon. I think Marcia is quite intelligent when it comes to these kind of things. I am going to a Rheumotoligist next month to see about the fibermyalgia thing and to see what he has to say....might as well give him a try! Might also see about having an MRI of my back area....I actually forget if I had one or not of that area with all the other tests I have had.

Take care, Sammy, and I wish you luck. I use the old "ice pack" trick when I get to hurting too bad. I shift it here and there; actually I should get 3 or 4 others to use with all my sore spots!!

My best to eveyone and take care.

Judy
 
Sammy, my heart does not race; just bounces around a bit! But, I have to wonder if your problem of the racing heart might just be anxiety and the stress of going through all the issues and pain your having. Just a thought, but I do know anxiety can cause a persons heart to race. I used to have panic attacks and back then I do remeraber my heart did race a little. I was told to take a deep breathe and hold it for a second, and that worked for me. I have to wonder if having the acid reflux could also do that to you...you know, just dealing with all these things at once, and waking up feeling scared and nervous. I am kind of grabbing at ideas here, but seems like all things are connected somehow. You go to sleep, but I think the pain and problem is still there on your mind even while you sleep, and then you wake up nervous and stressed because your subconsciously thinking about your problems...and hoping the pain isn't there, but then it is...and thus the anxiety, etc.! I hope yo can follow what I mean.....I sometimes have a hard time explaining myself!!
 
Been doing alittle more research. I was wondering if any of you have ruled out ankylosing spondylitis?
 
chab, it is so nice to go on here & read someone feels good, even for the day, I hope the injection helps you. I can't wear any bras at all, anything around the rib area hurts, I wear a cami with a built in bra & believe it or not that elastic by the end of the evening bothers my rib area, I looked at clothes the other day, got depressed have to wear real loose tops or you can notice I do not have a bra on, good bye to all the sweaters I bought last year. I bought a new matress shortly after this problem occured, my husband was so hoping it was my problem, of course it was not but still enjoy having the matress.
Wish I had a hot tub, I am not sure I would get out of the thing though. Went for ct scan, had to lift my arm over my head, ouch, had to use the other arm to bring it back down. I have heard people say they have went years before any doctor made a diagnosis, I can't imagine years in this pain. I have an appointment monday but I am not looking forward to it, I just about give up on doctors, that sounRAB terrable I know but I can't help but think I will be passed on next to a rhuem. doctor, or pain managment. Oh well its nice to come on & hear someone is getting relief. I bought a new bra, I hung it on the back of my closet door & can't wait for the day I can put it on.
Sammy
 
The Chiropractor is doing the adjustments manually. He is not doing alot in the way of adjustments because he doesnt want to get the problem with my C spine flared up. He thinks the scoliosis up high will correct itself in time by wearing the shoe lift so he doesnt want to be too aggressive with my upper back & neck. I have went 2 days without the vicoprofen. (I have never taken it more than once a day even though it can be taken every 4-6 hrs) trying to keep it at a minimum since it is highly addictive and I dont want for it to get out of control. Im not quite as sore today. He did tell me I would be sore for a few days. Its tolerable.
Sorry to hear you are not feeling so well. Hang in there.
 
Went to the Chiro again this morning. He seems to think my C spine herniated disc is causing some of the pain down around my scapula. He did another myofascial release. Said the adhesions are so bad that he really cant do an adjustment in the area of my T-spine where I am having the most pain and spasms yet. Said I shouldnt be as sore as what I was last wk when he did the myofascial release. (thank goodness)

Like I said previously, I would not put too much faith in the MRI results. Sammy, have you had plain film xrays of your spine? (standing) I never thought it could give me any answers to my problems but it did. The scoliosis did not show on the MRI and that seems to be the root of my problem.
 
Thank you Sammy and please do include me and hubby in your prayers. Prayer is the most powerful thing we have, and I have seen it be answered a thousand times in my life, so I know it does work.

I hope they will be able to figure out what is wrong with you too. No one has any idea the pain we all go through every day....including most of our family.

I am lucky that I have a very understanding husband and when I have the flare-ups from Hades, he is always there for me, waiting on me hand and foot.

Talk to ya later and I hope today is better than yesterday.
Brenda
 
chk, I had done the research on TOS also, because x-rays did not show anything it was ruled out. It is so weird you have many of the same symptoms I have, I will get the tingling & nurabness when my arm is raised above my head for any length of time. It used to be really bad, the only difference now is it is just plain out painful. the heart racing or pounding is something that scares me, I will get that I have noticed when I am in alot of pain of course that is when there is alot of swelling. I never take a whole anything for anxiety, I always half it or quarter it depending on the dosage.(alittle afraid of side effects). But it beats the pounding & racing heart. Has anything ever been mentioned about your mucsles? Such as inflammation in a certain area? I have a simulair feeling at time when I bend my neck a certain way. My sister in law told me yesturday her friend who has has numerous back surgeries goes for theraputic massage, said it really helps relax the mucsles. That sounRAB better then acupuncture to me.
I broke down & asked my boss for a office positon if one opens up, never thought I would do that. I just don't know how long I will not be able to do any major work. Depressing, so I know how you feel. I just want to get better, but don't we all. I forget all the little symptoms I have had over time. I do know I just plain am loosing faith in the doctors anymore. they can see the symptoms but I feel because I am a harder case as far as finding out what is really wrong they just pass me along & don't take the time to really look into it. If they only realized how much it hurts & is ruining my life. I just don't know anymore. this doctor asked me some strange questions,like is this impacting my famillies financial stability? I told him my husband has to go for radiation so I want to be able to contribute more, take some pressure off him. What a stupid question & what does that have to do with my pain & problem? What have you been told by the doctors you have seen? Talk to you soon & hang in there. Sammy
 
hey judy.if you could try and answer some of the questions i posted to you(other post),it would really be helpful for me to try and help you.do you actually have the MRI report?was one ever done on the thorasic area as well?with any given MRI report you also have to consider that they are only as good as the person who is doing the reading.even docs can blow off certain things they see in the hard films as "not a pain generator"if they just do not fully understand the level of what a particular finding truely means.i had two NSs tell me that my cavernoma inside of my cord couldn't possibly be causing this really incredibly freaky pain/pressure crap i was feeling underneath my R shoulder blade,but when i saw the head of neurosurgery at the U of MN,it was a whole different story.he knew right away where it was coming from.it all depenRAB on overall knowledge and experience of the docs/specialists you are seeing.knowing what was actually stated on your MRI would really help alot here.thanks judy,Marcia
 
CHK, I am so glad to hear you got some relief from the treatments at the chiopractors. Maybe a few more will have you feeling much better. I wish you luck and hope they work for you.

Sammi, I feel so bad for you. I just can't imagine why you are having all that swelling in the rib and chest area. I am glad you did turn around and go back to your sister-in-laws; being in that much pain and with your heart racing....that is very scary. Maybe you should have gone to the ER like CHK suggested; they probably would have done a CAT scan right then and there. Good thing you did go ahead and schedule one, though; maybe that will show something. I can imagine how your struggling to keep you job. You have a lot of pressure on you with the job and trying to find out what is causing your pain.

My latest is: Went to the rehab doctor and he reviewed my MRI. He did show me the film, and I do have a herniated disc in the lower back and also a couple of degenerating discs. The one is really bulging out. He suggested the epidural shots, and then today I went to see the doctor that gives them. So, Monday I am scheduled for the first one, then another one the following Monday. I have had these type of shots before, but only in my neck area and middle back. I asked the doc that gives the shots (a woman) about my leg pain and she said she isn't sure if that pain as well as the pain in my side under breast is from the herniated disc or not! She said the only way to tell is to have the shot and see what kind of relief I get. At least she was honest. So, here we go again and I feel like Sammy....my trust in doctors is going down hill fast!

Take care and my best. I wish you both well.

Judy
 
Judy,
You will find that alot of us here don't put much value in the shots as we have found that they don't do alot of good. They tend to be more of a band aid type of fix than anything else. It seems to be something that they do to get you out of the door when they are at a loss as what to do next.

Marcia is pretty savy in what she is talking about. If I were you I would take her suggestions about seeing a first rate doc. It might make the world of difference for you.

Pleae keep us posted.......
 
Thanks norene your a sweetie, chab, I hate to say this but if they told me I needed surgery tommorrow to get rid of this I would say I will go pack meet you there, not even kidding, perhaps I am wrong but heck that is where I am right now, waited to get into shower cause I knew I would be in more pain from moving around, I can understand your concerns & it would be a difficult decision to make, but what can you do? SounRAB like you are doing everything you can & research for any future decisions, the docs. should be able to discuss any knowledge on surgical procedures with you. Scary anyway. Heck up till now I hated to go to the dentist, heck that is nothing. As always I wish the best of luck with what ever you choose, MRI time coming up this eveing, just want something, anything to show so I can get on a road to feeling better (I hope). Fighting off the blues before my husband gets home, I try hard to have my pity parties before dealing with my family. funny my friend called today & said she did not realize how bad this has gotten, I just broke down & told her I am tired of dealing with pain all day long. Just plain tired of it. Shame on me there are those worse off but I envy those who can just get up & live their lives. I hope we all have that in our futures. Sammy
 
chk, this may sound crazy but I honestly can't remeraber anymore, I did have an x-ray I believe on the cervical & part of the thoracic. I remeraber the day I went for my MRI was the best day I had in along time, & have not had one since, I thought Is this some kind of joke or something. Weird but it is true. I remeraber thinking gosh I hope this does not mean what ever is going on will effect the MRI(not to knowlegable on the back, disks & so forth). I have had so many confused doctors, I am so swollen in certain areas, the pt was shocked when I first went, so much pain I broke down today when I was trying to get dinner for my family, my husband said youll get better, I just said you just don't understand what it is like everday with this pain, I am trying some natural supplements now,started today I am so desperate. Terrable to feel this way, you never get use the the pain, when you think you do it gets worse, is it like this for everyone I wonder? I will try to have an optimistic outlook that is all we can do. A few on the boarRAB trying chiros. lately let me know how you do. Sammy
 
Hi Ladies, Hope everyone is well (as can be). Sammy I did respond to the gentlemen but have not heard back. I did not have any sleep last night, my body does not like to stop moving. Even with the lack of sleep I am very excited to have frienRAB coming over tonight for food and drinks.
Take care
Norene
 
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