middle back pain and chest pain

[valashu]

ok were to start well i get middle back pain between the sholder blades and i get alot of tension in that area,i am a wee bit over weight and it only shows in my stomach area "potbelly",i also feel it in my lower chest,in the bottom rips both sides, and the centre,by the end of the day i start to get a burning feeling there,in the day i get the back pain and chest aches of and on a ,if i take some baking soda mid morning it relives the back and chest pain,i all so have a anxiety disorder

[trouble10]

I have the same exact symptoms!!!!! I always assumed it was because I was so tensed up with anxiety that the muscles got sore. I haven't tried any baking soda because I've never had any stomach issues, but I'll try anything. Right now I'm trying to make sure I sleep well enough and if the pain gets too bad, I'll take 1/2 and Ativan. Lots of love and luck....

[daisey16]

same symptoms, but no anxiety, I also have big knots and a sore shoulder, I think the rib cage pulls causing the cartilage on sternum to become tender, and it can't ge better until your back is strenthened alot with special stretches.

[kiako]

Exact same symptoms as well... It first started at the beginning of Feb. I went to the Dr, and he sent me to the ER. They did blood work, ECG, and chest X-ray, and everything came back normal. The ER Dr said it was probably 'costochondritis', and that advil and localized heat would help. It cleared up in about 2 weeks, but it came back mid April... this time my back (between shoulder blades) is aching... anyone get anywhere with this?

[cj29]

Anxiety and prolonged tension can definately cause many symptoms.  You said you suffer from anxiety; have you talked about these symptoms with your doctor?  If you have these pains, in my opinion, go talk to your physician and rule out any immediate causes and then tackle the ongoing stress by talking it over with a therapist....talking and being open about it is the best way to confront this in my opinion!

[merickson]

same symptoms also. try hot bath and relaxation  visulation. Sometimes it helps also massage helps. Do you get leg cramps?

[kiako]

I went to the Dr again today, and he said that it's most likely musculo-skeletal pain. He gave me a few different exercises for my back, and said that since the muscles in the back and chest are related, it should help with both pains. The Doc said that the causes are numerous, and include sleeping habits, work habits, and so on, so he suggested a new mattress, and changing some things at work. I asked about massages, and he (being very down-to-earth) told me to try the exercises first rather then paying for a massage to get the same results. Also, he said that Ibprofen (Advil) will continue to help treat the symptoms, but we'd have to deal with the cause first since I'm taking several Advil a day as it is. Hope this helps reassure anyone with these same symptoms!

[momto2]

Intersting! I can't believe I finally found people who are going through the same kind of pain I am. I have Mid to upper back pain with radiation to my chest and left arm. It is kind of scary but I have had numerous testing and was treated for costochondritis which didn't help. The pain just returned. I have been suffering with it for about 10 months now. The pain comes and goes and may last for about 1 -2 weeks each time. One guy on the back pain forum suggested hanging from a bar to stretch the area or even acupuncture. I am about willing to try anything.

[Mago66]

Me too.
Arm Pain, Chest Pain Mid back under shoulder blades tightening so much that you can't stand or sit still.
I get all these symptoms as well. Had MRI scan, bone scan, Gastroscopy you name it but it still keeps coming back negative (which I suppose is good). After 4 years of trying to get to the bottom of it and trying my hardest not to accept it Im pretty settled on it being generalised anxiety. It definitely improves after a couple of glasses of wine (Not too many). It also improves after a long hot soak in the bath. From what I gather, anxiety is a pretty powerful thing and can cause loads of nasty but also harmless symptoms. What makes it even worse is that nobody else can see what you are having to deal with.
Even more annoying is that if you read up on anxiety the non prescription cure seems to be not to think about it, accept it and it will go away which is pretty bloody hard when you feel so awful. Anyway any tips (other than wine and baths would be appreciated)

[Dee174]

I also suffer from this although mine is more of a stabbing pain between my shoulder blades maybe a little more on the left shoulder blade and then moves to my chest. I noticed that I especially get it in the morning. Maybe the tenseness from the anxiety and bad sleeping positions cause this.

[greenlydia]

While all of you have given each other very sound advice, and many of you have wisely been to your doctors, had numerous tests done, which all came back negative is great. And anxiety CAN and frequently DOES cause the symptoms you speak of. I don't want to scare any of you, and I don't think this possiblilty will, but I work in a hospital and we see a great number of patients who had the exact symptoms you're describing and they were found to have either gallbladder or kidney stones..........both of which ARE fixable. I am NOT saying that any of you have these issues, but pain between the should blades  which sometimes does radiate to the chest, is common to both these conditions, and the pain does have a tendency to come and go. The next time you see your doctor, it might be a good idea to discuss this possibility.
Let me state again that I am NOT a doctor, NOR am I, in ANY way, attempting to diagnose your symptoms............I am simply stating an observation/opinion.
Peace
Greenlydia  

[miffa]

I am so glad to hear from people with the same symptoms as my self. I get a a pain in the center of my back which feels like a trapped nerve and i get a dull ache in the center of my chest which causes me to panic thinking im having a heart attack, which in turn makes me feel faint and dizzy. i do worry about almost anything and figure this is anxiety, and to anyone who has anxiety they will know how hard it is to calm down and relax! i havent been to see a gp yet hoping i could deal with this myself but its so hard to stay calm and relaxed and im scared to go anywhere incase i get the symptoms. perhaps i will consult somebody after reading all your comments.

[greenlydia]

It really would be in your best interest to get this checked out. It's much better to know than not............look where not knowing is getting you!
Peace
Greenlydia

[LisaL90]

I am so glad to have found this forum - I just got back from the dr and had numerous blood tests and x-rays done to see what's causing my chest ache (for 10 solid days now) and middle back ache. I know my back is in knots because i've been to the chiro the last week also and he thought i may have a hiatal hernia. i worry about everything and can't get my mind to shut off from the worrying - i know its anxiety, plus sitting at a desk all day in front of a computer has my shoulders and back in knots - i am so sick of being "sick" - is there anxiety meds that really work to take the "edge" off of worrying??

[greenlydia]

Glad you went to your doc for tests......it's what would have been recommended. Sitting at a desk all day is horrid for your entire body and you need to take frequent breaks to get up and stretch your muscles as well as give your eyes a rest. Computer screen "flicker" at over 1000X a second and our brains try to keep up with this, which is impossible. What follows is headaches and eye strain. As often as possible, take your eyes off the screen and just sort of gaze into the distance, this will help to relax the muscles. Make sure your work station is ergonomically good for YOU. An excellent "computer" chair is a must and your employer should provide you with one, which is just my opinion. Sitting properly is really important, don't slump etc. There are entire books out there written on how to take care of yourself if you must sit at a desk/computer all day. I'd highly recommend reading one.

This forum is for folks who have been diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorders, which is NOT to say that "chronic worry" is not something to be concerned with, but it is different than anxiety or panic. There are many ways to deal with the constant nagging worries of life and that "sick of feeling sick" feeling. Most, if not all of the medications that are used and discussed on this forum are NOT intended to help with mild, chronic "worry." Again, let me state that I am NOT dissing your problem at all. Constantly worrying about things can morph into real anxiety if you let it. If you are  actually experiencing anxiety "attacks," please see your doctor who can give you an accurate dx. If you are just a "worry wart," there are classes and books and relaxtion techniques that can help you get a handle on your worry and help you refoucus all that energy in a more positive way.
If you feel this advice was not adequate, please post again with the symptoms you have when you feel the "anxiety," and we'll look deeper.
Peace
Greenlydia