just wondering if anyone

[waylander]

on here gets real bad pain in the upper back across the shoulder blades,or any were else in the area of the upper body from anxiety.

[sunnla43]

I have been taking Effexor xr for past five years. developed pancreatitis and diabetes from it. I am not sure if my upper back pain started before weaning of meds, but I have extreme chest tightness and pain on left side of chest. even feels as if effecting upper spine. had chest xray and heart tests done. everything fine. but I am pretty sure it comes from effexor xr. I also developed hyper tension.

[shelzmike]

urdacrazy1 has it right here - MOST of the time these pains in those of us with anxiety are caused by simple tension that we do not realize is even there. Most of the pain that is "hard to describe" comes from the intercostal muscles that are between our ribs (remember, we have ribs underneath and between our shoulder blades). It is the same thing as if we squeezed our hands really tight - after awhile, they will be very sore.

However, pains in these areas are also commonly caused by, beleive it or not, gas. Not gas in our ribs or back of course, but regular gas in our digestive system. If you read my profile, you will see a part about how I was having horrible chest pains to the extent that I could not breathe and went to the doctor and they were able to diagnose it was from gas immediately. I never put two and two together, but I know that this is correct because when I get these pains, I usually have gas shortly thereafter.

So long as your doctor has eliminated anything medically related, it is safe to assume that this is simply another "normal" symptom of anxiety.

Mike

[rockerapple]

i've had muscle tension in my back where i couldn't even crack my back, which is something i can normally do no problem.  I've also had my throat muscles tense up to the point where i could barely swallow.  i had x-rays done and everything was normal.  so i began taking ativan and slowly but surely the tension in my throat is almsot completely gone...i guess these things take patience.
i still have upper back pain at times and simple stretches can help get your muscles back to normal.  but be patient...it would correct itself overnight.  anxiety takes a toll on your body and the affects can and will last longer than we'd like...hang in there.

[Jerzeegal]

I think the shoulder blades and the upper back are one of those places that we tend to tense when under stress.

If we are going through a rough spot and are tense all the time then the muscles and tendons in those areas tighten up causing pain. Sometimes simple stretching exercises or meditation and simple yoga positions can help.

[waylander]

yeah its a pain! there are alot of causes but i will not say what they are! if you are like me you will freakout about it,mine started five months ago in the middle of my back, as a mild ache between the shoulder blades and now its painful,three months ago i had chest xray and over that time had blood taken and all fine! my doc says its all anxiety and depression caused,but i dont belive that because i to have times when the anxiety is not so bad but my symptoms are still there,my doc is trying to get me back on efexor-xr,for the anxiety and depression,i also fined that that pain is random and moves around the back,also if i relax its not so bad,but the thing is we have to trust in our doctors! what other symptoms do you get? ps i am also a 32yr old male,and live in christchurch new zealand

[urdacrazy1]

Yes, I've been getting that as well. I also get it in my upper chest that seems to go straight through to my back. Not so much muscle pain more like the bones are what hurt. Its hard to explain. And in my back its like the middle of my back under my left shoulder blade and it comes around the side. I've been getting that a lot. Whats up with that? it even happens when I'm not so anxious. but it sure brings on the anxiety!!