Seeking Ideas on Burning Sensation; Chest/Upper Back Area

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I went back to the pain mgmt Dr yesterday. While I was there, I was having an anxiety attack because of the pain. (of course Im diagnosing myself based on the symptoms... never had them until the past fews months) they seem to start when my pain gets bad and the spasms increase in intensity. Anyway, he agreed that it probably is anxiety. He gave me a rx for Xanax. I really dont want to get started with another drug that could be habit forming. I will give it a try when I have another bad attack and see how it works. I also dont want to take something that may make me sleepy so we will see.
He gave me a rx for Lirabrel 500mg. Its apparently a new type of anti-inflammatory that you take twice daily. You have to take it 5-7 days before it starts helping. Guess its worth a try. My PM Dr does not like to give Narcotics. I have been getting the Vicoprofen from the Dr I work for but I dont want to keep asking her for it so I hope the Lirabrel helps.
He also did a Cervical Epidural which certainly was a strange experience...different from the Thoracic Epidural that I had last month. When the dye went in to check for placement, I could feel it go to the painful area below my scapula that gives me alot of problems so hopefully we are getting close. Initially, I didnt think it could be related to my C-spine problem because I dont have pain down my arms or neck pain. Anyway, now I am optimistic that maybe we are heading in the right directions. Guess I will know in a couple of days when the steroid kicks in.
 
Hi Margaret and Fred; Thanks very much for answering my post. I feel better knowing that the pain I am experiencing isn't that unusual. Last night I woke up around 3 a.m., and did, indeed, think I was having a heart attack. It was scary! I got up and took an ibuprophin, and was able to go back to sleep. But, I called my family doctor and was able to go in and have an ekg done. He said it was fine, but wants me to have a stress test next week. Not the kind you walk on a treadmill, but some kind that they put dye into you and then check your heart. I am nervous already, and not having that until next week. However, my doctor said if I do have a "nerve issue" going on, that is something that is hard to diagnose. So, my question was, "Then how in the heck does a doctor know if it is nerve damage?" He didn't answer that!!

So, on Wednesday I am going to go have another round of epidural shots and cross my fingers that I will get some relief. The first two rounRAB didn't do a heck of a lot, so I am skeptical, but will try anything. I have so many issues; bad disc's in both back and neck, bad knee, the muscles in the back of my legs hurt.......pain all over the place, and no answers or relief for the past six months. I can't imagine going 5 years like you, Fred, or having pain after surgery like Margaret. After surgery, you think you are going to feel better!

I appreciate your thoughts and your welcome to the board. I will keep you posted, and will faithfully read all the posts on here to keep informed of everyone's experiences. I know I will learn a lot. My best to you both and hope to talk again.

Thanks,
Judy
 
Cindy, My Neuro gave me no time to tell or ask anything, hopefully next appointment. I don't get why he would not ask for pt reports or anything. Maybe doing his own evaluation still seems weird. My doc says if he cannot explain pain after test it is pain management for me. That is not real encouraging about the dependancy of the MRI reports. I don't want to live years in this kind of pain. I am 42, but feel 80 somedays. Do you know if anything may have triggered your pain, took me awhile to figure it out. As for the heart thing ditto, all the way down to family history. My pain would come & go until this May. I know the day I went for MRI was the best day I had,funny huh.I wonder if things can shift. weird question but weird symptoms. Does pain management help for you? What other tests have you had? Real bad yesturday, I know there is the inflammtion there, and since coming off anti inflammatories the pain and tinlgling Ect.. gets worse. Feel a little guilty saying this but I am glad others have some of these symptoms maybe we can put some little pieces together, maybe not but beats feeling like its just you with all these strange symptoms. First test today, talk to you soon, been on other boarRAB to just seeing about other symptoms. Sammy
 
Hi Chk, I am currently taking celebrex which isn't doing what it should. It will be by injections if I decide to take Remecade. My doctor gave me six months to research it and I have to answer him Noveraber 13. There is some scarey side effects but they are rare. It is supposed to stop/delay AS.
Hope you are well.
Norene (Canada eh!)

Sammy, don't give up, make the doctor take the blood test for the B27 gene. Go swimming as much as you can in warmer water, it is the only place I was pain free.
 
sammy, you sound like me with the ice packs and the heat! Also to the fact that when you feel a bit better, you start overdoing it...like 3 chores at once! My pain seems to move around; from under the breast area, around to the middle back, then lower back, as well as the calf pain. Never stays in one place! I did try Lyrica as suggested by my neuroligist, but only took about 3 of them as they made me very dizzy. I don't like that feeling; it scares me. Am now trying some natural stuff I sent away for; I figured it can't hurt. Also going to go to a Spine and Pain Clinic next week where they do tests to see about blood flow in legs, etc. Maybe I will find something out at this place. Good luck to you on your upcoming test. Please let everyone know the results.

Judy
 
CHK, I Went to Chiro. back in Nov-Jan, this particular chiro. was so close to what he found in the x-rays(believe or not) & exam,he pretty much told much of what the MRI showed, pretty impessive. I have of leg shorter then the other also, he said that is not uncommon, yours sounRAB alittle more serious, I did get some relief but had to go all the time & paid out of pocket, condition worsened & got to the point I was afraid to let anyone do much until I know the exact problem, but this chiro(whose whole family does this) pointed out alot of my problems starting with the axis ( I believe its called) being really tilted. My spine is not straight like other peoples. I hope you get relief ,some people swear by them, I may return to Chiro. at some point. Sammy
 
My insurance will cover part of the Chiropractor services but I still have a $25 copay at every visit. That could add up quick. I had to pay $105 the first visit because of the xrays. They also gave me a 20% professional discount so that helps. Im going to give it a couple of wks but if Im not seeing any improvement I am moving on to the physical therapy.
 
Baybreeze good point, I am at my wits end, & if you ask the doctors about the MRI's always get the same respones, such as "MRIs" are very reliable, then you hear stories how people have had them done & nothing major shows so they live in pain & years later low & behold when MRI's are done again major problems are found, who knows I am confused over it all, wonder if ct would show anything different. I just am glad to know I am not alone with these weird symtoms that are so complex. I was starting to think I was some kind of freak, so know I just feel like just a confusing mystery to the doctors, I am worried it will get to the point where they won't take me seriously, even though they can see there are problems, you know kind of give up on me. Could not imagine living like this forever. Want my life back, at least some what. Sammy
 
I have the same thing. Some doctors told me it was fascia, which I believe is the standard response when a spine surgeon does not know what is causing this pain. My guess is that it could be a thoracic herniated disc which mimics chest pain. I believe only about 20 neurosurgeons in the US are experts in thoracic herniated discs. The rest simply do not know!
 
Hi Sammy, I have had 5 MRI's for Ankylosing Spondylitis. I thought I was going crazy. One doctor told me it was hormones. The swelling is in the upper chest and ribs extending to my left shoulder and spine. I feel so much better when I ice and exercise helps me. I go to the gym in the morning, power walk in afternoon and run with my 6 year old riding her bike. I am exhausted at night and can not sleep very much but I kiss my coffee mug every morning.
I was tested for B27 gene which came back positive.
I hope this helps , Talk to you soon
Norene
I see my doctor in Noveraber and have to decide on this drug called Remecade (it is supposed to delay my disease)
 
Hi everyone! Just a hello, and wanted to catch up with you all. There was some mention of having the deep tissue therapy and it reminded me that I tried that, but only went twice. It actually hurt as the girl was really digging into my muscles. Were you told to drink a lot of water afterwarRAB? They say you have to to help get rid of the toxins that are stirred around from the massage. It would be worth you gals trying it, though. Might help!

Sammy, you mentioned about wearing a bra...which I hate to wear myself, but I found some really nice sports bras in a magazine I received in the mail. I got a couple as they are really cheap, and also bought one with magnets sewn in the back part. Haven't tried that one yet, but the others are so comfy. You just pull them over your head...no straps, and they wash nice. The company does have a web site, but I am not sure if I can mention it on here. Do you know if it is ok to do so? I think you might like these bras.

CHK, I do envy you with that hot tub! Hope you find time to get in it often, and hope it helps with your pain. Have you ever thought of trying a TENS machine? I was using my sister's, and now ordered one of my own. I found that helped some with my back. You can also order them on the internet at a fair price.

Here's my news....went yesterday for my first epidural injection in the lower back. They gave me something to relax me through an IV, but I didn't feel any different as to the relaxation part. It doesn't put you to sleep; just relaxes you. I didn't even feel the shot itself, and was surprised when the doctor said ok, your done! I was scared it might hurt in the lower back, but it did't at all. I did have a restless night, though, had a headache and was a bit anxious all night and a little queasy. The dr's office called today to see how I was, and the nurse said that is a common side effect of the steroid med and the stuff they give you to relax you. I felt goos today though, and just got a brand new mattress, so I hope I get some sleep tonight. I might have another injection next month if I am still in pain...if I need it.

So, my best to you gals, and hope something soon works for you both. I know how frustrating it is!! Good luck to your hubby, Sammy, and you take that half of Zanax if you need it! That won't hurt you...you can always stop taking them when you feel better. I took Ativan for awhile years ago, and got off them ok.

Thinking of you both, and take care!

Judy
 
Just an opinion...

sounRAB like a nerve problem

from a thoracic disc

thoracic goes to rib area, chest pain, and back area ...usually shoulder blades.
 
I apologize for the long post; I did not realize it was so long, and I promise I will not do that again. Sorry, moderators; in the future I will make my posts shorter.
Thanks
 
MKA..thanks for responding....you are so right! I think most doctors, unless they are very highly qualifyed in their field........don't know what to do with a patient like me and you. I did have a epidural shot, as well as trigger point injections in the neck.....but, I gaurantee you, MKA, the relief from ha pain will only last a few days.

However....we will keep fighting......thanks again and hope to chat again!

Judy
 
Sammy, Not sure which MRI locations were ordered that the Insurance co wouldnt approve but it all has to do with the diagnosis on the prior authorization sent to your insurance co. With all of the upper body symptoms you are having, I cant imagine that they wouldnt authorize it. I would ask the Dr what diagnosis they used. I had no problem getting any of my MRI's approved. They should try it again with more info and multiple diagnosis's.

Let us know when you hear something.
 
Hope everyone had a good labor day weekend. always nice to be off work. ;)

Just wanted to check in to see how you all are doing. Im still seeing the chiropractor. I go back to my Pain Mgmt Dr this week. Hoping he may have other recommendations as I cant say that I am feeling any better though the Chiro seems to know where my pain is coming from and gave me some insight as to how it originated.

BTW, I have gone 3 days without any Vicoprofen. I didnt sleep well at all and I think the pain was worse but at least I could lay down, etc when it was bad rather than how it happens when I am at work and I have to just keep working and do the best I can to deal with the pain. (which is why I end up in tears on the way home)
 
CHK, The amount for visits do add up, they had me coming orginally 3 times a week, I made sure they went nice & easy with me or I got real sore. Like I said I heard people in that office that had tried so many things & swore by the chiro., but it is that kind of thing once you go you always got to go to get relief, gets expensive. Its worth it to get some relief but I just could not keep going when I needed to find the real problem. But hey if it helps you it is worth a shot, right. Let us know if it helps you out, Sammy
 
Sammy, thats terrible! I think you should have went straight to the emergency room. They could have ordered CT &/or MRI or whatever is needed from the ER. Sometimes you need to press Dr's to check things even when they dont offer. When you tell them about the swelling in the rib area, dont wait for them to ask to see it, just show them. Keep us posted!
 
chk, the facility told me they are seeing this more & more, where the insurance co. wants to have one area done first, then if nothing shows there they usually approve an MRI in the other areas. Stupid, it just wastes time, a problem in one area can cause pain in another, with out looking at all areas where the pain/inflammation exist it can be hard to find the where the actual problem lies. This doc. wants to look at the back scapula area, shoulder & chest(pec. muscle region), small enough area, a problem in any of these areas can cause pain &inflammation in the others. The facility should have called me before the test, I specifically asked them to if they had any problems, thats what makes me so angry. They will be calling to let me know what the insurance co. said & I will be asking if they notified the doctor when the insurance denied part of the MRI, I have seen more & more neglagence lately with medical facilities, you can understand one or even a couple, but heck it is becoming a regular occurance. So we will see what is said. Thanks guys for all you advice & understanding. Sammy
 
CHK, My house is a couple years old, when moving in I know I did something, really hurt, would come & go, same as you worked my butt off helping my husband with lanRABcaping(he was recoving from surgery)he drove my crazy dictating how & what to do, he told me I dug a hole in the wrong spot (for a bush) fill it back in & move over an inch, everything I did according to him I had to redo, so I held the shovel up & said it is time for you to go in a rest NOW, HA!, funny I did everything in the old house and it was just fine. He was just frustrated & bored, he wanted to be able to do it & he could not.It was like in the 90's stiffling hot, you could imagine I was in no mood.(Got off track). The point I am trying to make is I did the same, kept right on going, the pain & symptoms scared me & I just wanted to pretend it was not there, & I loved working & keeping busy,After all I was superwomen did it all, In retrospect I know now I made things worse, so be careful, I kept going even after trip to hospital, everytime the pain & symptoms would ease or go away I was off & running on to the next big project, & was lifting alot at work, I am very small, & looking back I was really kind of durab, no way should have been lifting like I was. I just know all that I did is why I am where I am at today, & it is not a fun place to be, now if I wanted to dig a hole it would have to be for a vegtable plant (thats all I am capable of).Watch your self & do not over do, don't want it to catch up with you some day. Be careful, Sammy
 
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