Upper back pain - no clue what this is

[Sallypuss]

Have had almost constant upper back pain (just underneath shoulder blades) for 4-5 months now. Went to the doctor a few weeks ago who examined me thoroughly and sent me for an x-ray wihich turned up nothing. I had thought it was from lifting DD who's 3 but have made a conscious effort not to and the pain's still there. It's so bad it wakes me up at night and the only thing that stops it is ibuprofen. Am at a loss as to what it can be (discounted any injury, bra being too tight or it being muscular etc) and am wondering whether it could be related to my stomach. Has anyone had anything similar or able to advise?

Hi Sallypuss

Go back to your GP, and ask to be sent for a scan of the upper abdomen. The pancreas is closer to the back than the front, and problems there can cause upper back pain. No harm in checking it out.

I had this after coming back from holiday, and thought it was from pulling my suitcase. After consulting a doctor they said it was acid and it was deferred pain. Hope this is of help.

is there anything that makes it worse? Eg after eating, exercising etc? Have you had any sickness with it or an upset tummy? I had pain in the same area that got worse and eventually was accompanied with sickness etc.

An ultra sound scan revealed gallstones and my gallbladder was removed. However, the pain has returned so I would second moggiek and get your pancreas checked out - a blood test should give them a good indication of whether this is an issue.

Thanks all. I don't seem to be able to attribute the pain to a specific thing just sometimes worse than others. Will take advice and get another doctor's appointment.

I had something similar and saw a specialist orthopod, who also couldn't find any underlying cause and suspects that it's poor posture at my desk exacerbated by lack of upper body strength. He recommended exercises to strengthen the back muscles, either via an o.t. or alone (you'd need good instructions though). Some sort of relaxation therapy like yoga was also recommended.

And have you tried diclofenac to combat the pain? - it works by reducing the inflammation.

Sometimes lung issues can present as back/shoulder blade pain. I suppose they did x rays to rule out this sort of thing?

All

Just wanted to say thank you in a most mumnetterly way to those who urged me to go back to the doctors. Gallstones (and quite severe ones) diagnosed following the ultrasound (I requested from the GP!) this evening.

Mumsnet is indeed wonderful...

Thanks, Sallypuss. Glad you have a diagnosis.