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Anyone with long term pain in thoracic mid back?
I have seen other posts here that are very similar to my situation, but not sure if those users are still here. I’m very interested in connecting with people who have this issue to hopefully compare MRI results. My feeling is if we are all experiencing the same type of pain that perhaps we’d have similar results on our MRI which might help us pinpoint the issue.
I have had this mid back left side only pain for 20 years. It seems to be triggered by any activity that requires me to hold my arms up in front of me, for example, folding clothes, chopping vegetables, sorting through papers, etc. Usually the pain starts out in mid back, then goes down to my waist and wrapping around my rib cage. Again, only on the left side. Eventually, my entire erector muscle on the left side is hard like a rope. As I’ve gotten older it has started to come more often until just recently I have had spasms almost every day for the last five weeks. It is debilitating, much of my time spent in bed. It has gotten to the point where at times I’m not even able to lift my phone or feed myself without causing my back to spasm.
My most recent MRI doesn’t show anything that the doctor feels can be fixed. It shows Modic endplate changes type 1 & 2, tiny/small protrusions, and finally some Schmorl nodes in this area as well.
I’m under the care of a pain management doctor. I have tried trigger point injections, epidural steroid injections, medial nerve block which have all failed. We are having issues finding the right pain medication as much of it does not take care of the pain. I recently sent off for a genetic test that will identify what might be the best pain medications for me and hope that will eliminate the trial & error approach.
Thank you in advance for any replies to my post!
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It says a 5MM degenerative interior at L5 – S1. That is the only number provided.
I’m just curious if issues in the lumbar that far down could actually affect the area around the t8-t9 area and downward
Hi, first, i wish you successful relief… pesky mid back pain must be hard to diagnose, as I have had it on and off for a long time…my osteopath/DO/MD has been helping with hands on , releasing tension…but, i really noticed improvement when I added more exercises upon diagnosis with relatively mild osteoporosis….and since then have begun to identify problem muscles, very helpful. Will do OP focused PT at NYPresbyterian soon…attention to muscles might bring some relief …and strengthening them will help with weak bones.
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1 Reaction@nycmusic thank for responding. I plan to do some exercises for my mid back once I can get it to calm down. The longest i e gone without a spasm in the past 5 weeks is 1 day. I’m trying to make it 5 days so I can start up exercises or until I find a medication that works quickly whichever comes first. .
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2 Reactions@kchkch —hang in there ! As we research carefully for help with pain, etc.,and participate in the Mayo community, we learn some very helpful things…that hard times are not necessarily forever..I learned a lot from you and others here…Thanks !
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2 Reactions@nycmusic exercise with a temperamental back has to start very, very gently, very carefully, avoiding strain in the affected area…go slow… at some point, even early on, the movement might actually make you feel better—natural endorphins are very good pain medicine. trying to push through pain/spasms is not the way to go… i try to find a time when I feel better and have no pressing responsibilities to do exercises…oddly it seems to happen at the end of the day. Go easy….
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1 Reaction@kchkch It really depends on the degree of your curvature and which vertebrates it encompasses. Your MRI report should say all of this. If you don’t have the actual report, I would definitely get it.
@sherrym25 I do have the report it has no mention of curvature though. Except for kyphosis
@kchkch
Ok you said you had a mild dextroscolic curvature of the lumbar spine. That is a right side curve of your spine and that determination normally comes from an x-ray or an MRI. I was just curious if they said what your degree of curvature.
Best Sherry