Back pain

[BDOBBINS]

Has anyone had pain across their back at shoulder blade/bra strap level on both sides? I had this pain start a few months ago. I ended up going to the emergency room it hurt so bad. They gave me a battery of tests and said it was "inflammation". After going to my neuro as a follow up to the emergency visit and steroid treatment he said that m.s is not painful. Now I am confused is this m.s related or something else? I am on gabapentin and baclofen with no releif. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[GothicRosie]

ooo that just pisses me off when another doctor says MS is not painful! MS is painful, nerve damage is painful. I have pain all the time.

You should check out the NMSS' pain handout-perhaps print it and give it to your doc. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ain/index.aspx

Sounds like you also have the MS hug, which is a gripping feeling around your midsection/ribcage/brastrap region that can feel like a belt tightening. It can cause pain and can make it difficult to breathe.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/cha....aspx?nid=1874

It also sounds like you had a spinal inflammation, my transverse myelitis gave me the dreaded hug and pain.

Try to educate your neuro or if he is unreceptive, try to find a MS specialist. It can be difficult to get appropriate treatment from someone who does not understand the issues MS can cause.

Good luck.
Cheers,
rosie

[earnellzwifey]

Hi DBobbin,

I also have pain mid back around bra level. My pain is in my spine and it burns and throbs. I have been having this pain on and off for several months now and like you no one can tell me what the cause is. I have never had my spine checked for lesions so I am hoping that when I go to neuro thursday I can talk them into doing a spinal MRI.

Sorry I could not give you an answer as to what the cause may be, but I just wanted to let you know that I also suffer with pain in the same location.

I will keep you updated if I get a clue to what is causing the pain. hope you feel better soon.

[floatingurboat]

I have alot of pain in my shoulder region as well. This pain has been constant for the past 2 years or so and I can't find any relief. I'm also on gabapentin and baclofen with no relief, but I'm afraid to tell my neuro that because I dont want them to think I'm after drugs. I'll be checking back out those links gothic, thanks for posting.

Hope you feel better soon, BDOBBINS!

~Elly

[QuickType]

I have upper back/shoulder spasms just above my bra line, going across my back. It isn't really in my spine area most of the time, just a band across the top of my back.

Some days my back is fine and other days I feel like I have a clock key in my back winding things tighter and tighter.

Gentle stretching can sometimes help ease the spasm and pain. I haven't taken anything for it except some ibuprofen, which really doesn't help. I'm considering asking about baclofen at my next neuro visit.

[newme]

I have this also. Sounds like there are quite a few of us.

This was one of the things that initially made me go to the doctor. Like you, after many tests - nothing.

After doing my own research, it is the hug. What a misnomer. I sure don't feel very loved when it happens.

I am very small busted, yet jokingly say that it is due to the large load I am carrying! Gotta find something to joke about.

[BDOBBINS]

Thank you all for the input! I had a mri after this happened and the doctor said I had a new spinal lesion that was active but he gave me no pain meds and did not increase my baclofen or gabapentin. I hate to have to take all the medications I do but I would love some relief! If this is the dreaded"hug" I agree with you newme, I don't feel very loved when this hits. I will try the stretching to see if it helps me.
Thank you all so much!
Gentle "hugs" to all