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What is this horrible pain in my back?

3 replies

keepmehappy · 07/01/2019 13:35

Not muscular - I get it very intermittently deep between my shoulder blades, and if it gets really bad, it radiates up into my back teeth, which is truly horrible.

It's really longstanding - I first had it 25 years ago! - but it is getting more frequent. By more frequent, I do mean maybe just about four times a year, so I know it's not exactly acute. I'd really like to know what it is, though. It usually goes away overnight with a sleep, but last night I woke up with it at 1am and was awake for a couple of hours with it. When I swallow, it gives me an extra-painful spasm, 3 or 4 seconds later, down in the middle of my back.

The only thing that ever helps is to down a large measure of spirits(!) but that doesn't seem to work as well any more. My feeling is that it's some kind of nerve pain. I know I should get it checked out, but has anyone had similar?

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 07/01/2019 13:38

Yes you really do need to go and see your GP about this.
Nobody can diagnose over the internet but it sounds like something that needs investigation.

Seaweed42 · 07/01/2019 13:45

Is it related to stomach acid? Because you are lying down at night that's what I'd suspect. Have you tried Gaviscon or a stomach acid inhibitor tablet. With gastritis the pain can go into your back like you describe.
If the large measure of spirits is helping, that's because something is going down your throat into the inflamed area.
If you especially get this a day or two after drinking alcohol or eating rich food then it may well be stomach acid. Also stress can increase stomach acid.

SpoonBlender · 07/01/2019 13:51

Take it to the doctors, probably for a referral to a physio who specialises in spine things. Be prepared to wait 6 months or more for an NHS appointment about it, so worth doing now.

I have something similar but I know exactly what did it - a fall and land on my arse. Twanged a couple of vertebrae-connecting ligaments, which still haven't fully sorted five years on. I've been through three rounds of physio for it, and each time it improves to almost nothing but the ligaments are weak and easily twanged again.

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