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Chronic Thoracic Pain
I have thoracic spine and into the muscles/ribs, right side only. I have been seeking every alternative over the last 20 years and no luck with anything. I've done every injection, MRI's, all the alternative stuff. They says its not fibromyalgia, lupus, lymes disease, or autoimmune. I have tried lots of different meds to no avail. I can do a muscle relaxer, ibuprofen and narcotic. I went as far as a spinal chord stimulator with no luck there. I still have it, but it doesn't help. I feel its really muscle related. The pain interferes with my daily life and gets me very depressed somedays...
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Has anyone mentioned Colchicine? The approved use is for Gout but there is some off label use for other pain categories.
I had a left lower lobectomy six months ago and have been dealing with rib and diaphragm pain since. When I attempt a deep breath, it feels as if my diaphragm is restricted by ribs that don’t move. I don’t have effusion (fluid) or anything else that could cause the pain and can be evidenced with imaging. So after stopping my statin and letting it clear out, my Rheumatologist started me on lowest dosage today. I’m hopeful but realistic.
I have no idea yet if it will help me -
much less anyone else. But I thought I would mention.
Best of luck to you
Exact same R side burns like fire and swells at times about T6/7 thr T7/8 been like this for 20 plus years
I can relate to what you're saying. My thoracic pain radiates from my neck and if I don't stay moving it becomes so debilitating and painful there is no position that alleviates the pain. Cortisone shot helps for one day makes me manic. I try to live with the pain this has been going on only for a couple months but it is excruciating and I also feel depressed. Some moments are better than others but I hope to have an entire day without pain somehow someway.
My doctors are of no help. They just keep sending me in for tests and x-rays and stupid stuff I need a myofascial physiotherapist and have found better medical attention on YouTube than any place else. It's just pathetic.
So why don’t you ask your doctor for a PT referral for an evaluation for treatment? The therapist will assess your body and recommend a treatment plan for your doc to approve. I too have thoracic back pain and cortisone shots C6/C7 really help for about 2 1/2 months and then I repeat it every 3 months. I do upper body exercise too as part of my home exercise program from PT. I go as often as I need or as my body breakdown from spinal OA.
Having had a thoracotomy before I wonder if you could have Post-thoracotomy Pain Syndrome. I have had this for 24 years. Caused me to have to take a complete disability. So difficult to deal with.
I’ve considered that but 2 years post op I realize it is not going away. Prednisone - even low dose - makes it disappear - but Colchicine did not. I have RA and occasionally - like a couple
of times a year - I need Prednisone for an RA flare. And I enjoy relief from rib/lateral chest wall pain as an added benefit. What a shame I can’t stay on Prednisone. But it is an is I’m afraid.
I had the exact same symptoms 10 years ago. Almost had surgery. Instead saw Dr. David Hanscom. He changed my life: he also wrote a book called Bavk in Control that I highly recommend!