Thoracic spine (mid back) severe pain

[bnath001]

Hello,

I am 36 years old asian indian male.
I have a severe mid back pain. the pain actually came about 3 years ago and comes about twice a year. each time it lasts for atleast 2 weeks. but this time it is about 1 month.
I got MRI done and the results are as follows:

1. MR Imaging reveals no significant abnormality in the thoracic spinal cord, inter vertebral disc, vertebrae and thecal sac. No evidence of compression of the nerve roots in the neural foramina, thecal sac or spinal cord.

2. Significal loss of normal signal in D8-9 inter-vertebral disc, suggestive of marked dehydration. the discs show normal height. No evidence of disc prolapse.The D8-9 disc shows marked loss of normal hyperintense signal of the nucleus pulpossu in FSE T2WI and STIR, suggestive of marked dehydration. the other discs above this level in the dorsal region (and visualized cervical region) show minimal loss of high signal in FSE T2WI and STIR, suggestive of dehydration.

I am not sure if the pain is because of this reason. I am using 600mg Ibuprofen and hydrocone tablets. the pain subsides when the tablets are used but comes back. Sitting causes pain. standing no pain. sleeping on back some times causes pain. when the pain is more when I am in sleeping position (on the back), the left side of the mid back is more painful. The mri doesn't show and disc herniation or disc bulge but why I am getting this pain.
I have a 10 month old son at home and I feel very disappointed and some times I feel so depressed I feel I should die. instead of spending time with my son, I have to go thru this pain. I wish there is a surgical procedure where they can put some artificial discs. about 2 years ago when MRI was done on cervical spine they found one of the disc was degenerated "Moderately". but no disc herniation in the cervical spine either. I am continuing to work .I mean I have  job.

I wanted to know what are my options left. I also have gas problem. could the gas problem the source or result of this mid back pain. I have mild internal hemmarroids. I get some times bleeding when I pass motion. Is my mid back pain leading to osteoarthritis? should glucosamine tablets (vitamins) help me in the long run?

can my mid back pain is fixable or not? am I in a very bad shape currently.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The MRI does not show structural problems with the spinal discs, and the discs are unlikely to be causing the back pain.  

Things like physical therapy or trigger point injections may be helpful at this time, to help with the surrounding muscle spasm or inflammation.  

Unfortunately, there is no indication for surgery, and it would be unlikely to be helpful given the MRI reports.

Although possible, it would also be unlikely that gas would be connected to the back pain.  However, without examination one cannot be sure of this.  

I would consider a referral to a physiatrist (i.e. a rehabilitation physician) for options in treating your discomfort.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[md1johnson]

I have the same problem as in the mid back hurting mine is more to the right. When it starts I have to sit down.Mine is all the time. But, I have several problems. One thing I can say is don't give up get a 2nd opinion,3rd and so on until you are given an answer. I even had a Dr tell me several years ago I needed to go to a psychologist I ended up with liver disease and pulmonary hypertension and fibro myalga (I think thats how you spell it). please don't give up.

[bnath001]

sir,


sorry to hear about your problems.
Did your doc say that the Mid back pain was the cause for your pulmonary hypertension and fibro malygia?

regards
nath

[MLWTR]

It is possible that there could be a connection between the gas, internal hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding, and back pain. Some people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) have a form of arthritis that is associated with inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This type of arthritis can result in severe back and/or joint pain without causing any degenerative changes that would show up on an MRI or x-ray. Generally speaking, the best chance at improving the back pain in that case is to try and get the inflammatory bowel disease into remission.

You might want to talk with your doctor about whether he/she feels that a work up for inflammatory bowel disease would be justified.

Good luck.

[bnath001]

thanks a lot for all of you.

regards
nath

[yoshi]

not sure about your medication,but certain medication cause acid reflux and gas such as aspirin,female hormone.
certain food and exercise do too.

[grandmasgirl]

Lately I have been having lower back pains really bad...I am 22 female. I have used a heating pad, taking a hot bath, and streching. If you know what is wrong please email me at ***@****

[lchelsemom]

I know this sounds crazy but you may want to check for gall bladder and gall stones.  A number of years ago (I was 32) I kept complaining about severe back pains to orthopedist who said he could not find a cause.  Several times I drove myself to er but didn't go in because I did not believe I was experiencing the pain - doesn't make any sense but it was bad pain.  About 2 years later, another Dr. did some tests and I had gall bladder with stones that had actually moved out of gall bladder.  I made sure the orthopedist knew that I was having back pains and what caused,.  I guess I figured if he could find no reason for pain, he should have sent me to another Dr.

Anyway the point of this is gallbladder can cause severe back pain.

[Puppy Dog]

I've had back pain (spinal) for over 5 years - MRI's, etc, says it's DDD - my pain really has 3 places - neck, middle, and low - and not in between - I've had one surgery in the neck area - the last couple of weeks my middle back has gotten worse - I thought maybe I hurt it twisting wrong - I'm getting where I can hardly get out of bed in the mornings because of this pain - about 3 nights ago, I woke up about 4 with my back hurting - I tried to get up to go to the bathroom to get a pain pill - the movement caused the pain to be so severe, I dropped to the floor - I couldn't move or hardly breathe without pain - but worse than that, my hands and feet seem to just go useless - I couldn't get myself up or anything for pain and for useless hands and feet - almost numb - I tried to crawl but couldn't make it far - I finally called out for my husband (he just had open heart surgery about 4 weeks ago and I knew he couldn't pick me up) - we stayed on the floor for a while - he got me a pain pill - we finally got me back in bed and I could hardly move for about 3 more hours - it gradually eased up enough to get up and move around - no more numbness - but I'm nervous now, worried that it will happen again - I have a rhuemi treating me for arthritus and MCTD with Plaquenil (I use to take Vioxx everyday) - and I have a neuro testing and watching me because I have tingling arms and face, etc - I take other meds - I'm 57 - we can't afford a lot of doctor trips and tests right now with all the by-pass surgery expenses - if anyone has any ideas what I might have and which doctor to try first - maybe just my GP and an x-ray - thanks in advance for your time!

[SUNYSOI]

HELLO EVERYONE,

     I HAVE HAD BACK PAIN FOR SOME TIME NOW.  I RECENTLY GOT AN MRI WHICH BASICALLY SAID 5 OFMY THORACIC DISCS WERE HERNIATED.  TOMORROW,I WILL WRITE EXACTLY WHAT THE MRI DOCTOR SAID.  IS THERE ANY TYPE OFMEDICATION THAT WILL HELP WITH MY PAIN TO GO ALONG WITH THE PHYSICAL THERAPY?  I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE, I WS WONDERING FROM PEOPLE WITH BACK PAIN EXPERIENCE AND FROM ANY DOCTORS WHAT WORKS THE BEST.  THANKS IN ADVANCE.

[lshdi]

I read the note posted by Puppy Dog and I am so sorry especially as your husband has also been so ill.  I have had a very similar thing to you but as yet not resolved.  I have had no surgery but about two years ago when I had a broken ankle I slipped and crashed onto my back ( I know it sounds rather like a Charlie Chaplin Film ).  Anyway, I had a lot of pain but with the ankle I just used a back brace and painkillers.  Three weeks ago I started waking up in the middle of the night and my arm had gone dead and was painful when coming back to life.. this happened for about a week on and off and then seemed to get better.  Suddenly about a week later I woke up with a terrible pain under my rib cage radiating into my back and I couldn't move - luckily for me my husband could help and got me some pain killers.  Eventually the next day a doctor called to see me and I had stronger painkillers and it took me about a few days to get back to normal.  Then a week later exactly the same thing happened , in the night - I didn't bother the doctor this time just took the pain killers and went to see my doctor on the Monday.  I then had a spinal x-ray.  Another few days went by and I returned to work and at the end of the afternoon I started getting pain across my right shoulder and my breast bone was very painful.  I was feeling pretty upset by this time.  Anyway, I went to the medical centre and had a lot of routine tests which all came back normal but my spine x ray shows degeneration and a space in the thoracic region - I don't know if this is related to the time I fell in the bath or not.  I'm not really sure where to go from here.  I'm going back to see my doctor and see what else he can suggest.  If you haven't had an xray I would think that at the very least you should have this at least you will know if there is something going on.  Best Wishes

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