Upper back pain

[Kaloki]

About 7-8 months ago I woke up in too much pain to move. My upper back felt like one big mass of pain, right between my shoulder blades.

So, when able to move again, I went to my GP. The GP was concerned enough that I had pain in that area at the age of 25 that he sent me for blood tests and an x-ray.

All came back negative for anything.

Around this time I moved in with my partner in a flat in Brighton. So new GP.

My new GP put me on anti-inflammatories and painkillers, then referred me to physio.

Physio was good, it helped a bit. We discovered there seemed to be two things in effect. In no particukar order, my muscles were knotted up in my upper back, making it difficult to stretch, and my spine for whatever reason wasn't as flexible as it should be. When the physio put pressure on my back the vertebrae at the top of my back didn't move at all.

So we did stretches, which eased the muscle pain. When I first saw her I couldn't twist side to side at all, I definately couldn't lean back, I also couldn't lean either way at all. After 4 months physio, I'd managed to twist a little, and lean a little, but still no leaning back. The only posture where I wasn't in any pain was leaning ofrward and touching my toes. And then all improvements stopped.

We tried massage, manipulation, etc. Till my physio ran out of ideas. We tried using a TENS machine to give me a break from the pain, till we discovered that I'm allergic to the pads

So the physio referred me back to the GP and suggested further investigation.

The GP sent me for further blood tests, which revealed nothing. Changed my anti-inflammatories, also did nothing. Then gave my diazepam so I can sleep despite the pain, noticed no real difference.

Here's the fun bit, here are all the things I cannot do, or find difficult.

• Cannot reach above shoulder height.
• On bad days I can't lean down either.
• Cannot sit upright for long periods (say 20 mins)
• Cannot stand for more than a few minutes.
• Cannot walk for more than 10 mins.
• On bad days I cannot lift much. Eg. I couldn't lift a 4 litre bottle of milk.
• Still can't twist far to either side, or lean sideways.
• On bad days I can't get out if bed/get out of chairs/get into the bath unassisted.

Without my partner I'd be totally stuck, I definitely couldn't live alone.

I also definitely can't work, unless anyone can think of a job that only requires lying down, and no, I'm not doing that

My GP now can't think of anything else to do, so as far as I can tell I just have a cocktail of drugs to keep me (barely) functioning.

For this reason, and with the advice of my physio, we've decided to start TTC. Mainly because if we wait till my back is sorted then we may never get a chance.

And yes, this scares me. I'm not sure how my back will cope with the strain. Obviously I'll be going back to my GP (again, they must be sick of the sight of me), but I'd like to hear if anyone else has experienced anything similar? If only not to feel so isolated and scared.

bumps

Please tell me I'm not the only one with a freak back.

Bumping for you. I too have a dodgy upper back ( although milder than your symptons by the sound of things)and confusing blood results so can sympathise. I keep moving by seeing my chiropractor twice a week - an expense dispite him kindly reducing his fees. I do not know why my back is stiff but as I have many signs of an over sensitive immune system I blame self destructive forces! I hope you find a treatment/ management that works for you.

Have you had a full work up by an rheumatologist? If not it might be worth asking for referral so more specialist tests can be done.

My GP for whatever reason has decided to send me for no further tests. And has told me that it must be postural, despite my physio saying that it really isn't.

We asked for a referral and were refused.

This is the same GP who told me I was developing a hump, despite the opinion of a physio and an acupuncturist.

Have you seen a rheumatologist- have you had a bone density scan?

Can you see um a different GP perhaps take dp along to support you and say how concerned he is? Perhaps when suffering a bad patch so they see you at your worst. I am not a medic so do not know if this warrants further investigation but if you are worried it might be worth asking again. If a different GP also feels you do not need referral it should be reassuring - but a fresh mind often helps.
My back problem is longstanding and was never investigated in my 20s (I started with a whiplash and was told to rest and go to bed which made it worse - half a lifetime ago). I have not a lot of faith in traditional medicine where long term back problems are concerned - Gps are not trained for it. I have a rather ancient book called the back sufferers bible by Sara Keys which is useful in conjunction with chiropractor advice ( perhaps check out with your physio first). For me the key is to keep moving. I also have various devices (ultrasound/ massaging thing)and microwavable warm bags to help loosen up tight muscles that pull everything out of line.

I'm going to try going back and seeing another doctor. And just hope they actually help this time :S

Had a thought, don't know if anyone can advice on an office chair with good upper back support. I'd like to start working again, and think going self employed may be my best bet (I do web design), but as I'm struggling to sit up for too long I obviously need a better workspace.

It'd be nice to stop feeling like a useless invalid.

Also, advise, not advice. Don't know what's wrong with me today.

It may be very relevant that you are a web designer. I have no expertise but I have heard that using a computor screen and keyboard all day needs very careful work station planning to prevent the risk of back, neck and shoulder problems. I would have thought getting expert occupational advice would be essential for you and should be tax deductable.