Back splaying and associated pain

Hi, I'm curious to know, if anyone else has had this particular symptom.

In my back, the the area just below the scapula (shoulder blades), from spine outward toward the arms, I have a tightness in the muscles around my spine, that appear to splay my ribcage, causing pain and tightness.
When I try rising, the muscle near the spine, splays my ribcage, causing both sides to turn towards the spine, causing pain and difficulty breathing.  This occurs whether rising, from laying on the bed, but also from rising after sitting down (ex. leaving your car).  Many times, this causes me to walk, leaning forward to try to ease the discomfort.

I'm not sure, if this is a result of, not using my muscles enough, which has caused them to weaken, or something else.

I have been on a self induced calorie restricted diet (yes, to try to loose weight), whereby I limit myself to around 1450 calories, though since the beginning of the year that has ballooned to 1700 calories.  I know that when your body doesn't get the calories it requires for ordinary function, it takes it from nerve and muscle tissue.  I have been "calorie watching" since March 2010.

Has anyone else had to deal with this type of symptom before?

(Thank you for your time, consideration, and cooperation, I truly appreciate it.)

[jensequitur]

I'm not sure what you mean by splaying... but I have similar problems with the muscles of my back.  It sounds like you're having spasticity and muscle spasms of the back - specifically the muscles in the mid-back range.  I get that all around the areas that have lesions - especially the area right between my shoulder blades.  

I have to do the same thing - lean forward and take the stress off my lower back.  This makes me feel very old, especially if I'm having to wait in the line at Walmart for the pharmacy!

I take 60 mg of Baclofen a day, and when things get really bad, I take Flexaril.  The max is 4 pills a day.  That seems to do the trick.  I never have been able to figure out why it's so bad some days and other days it's just fine.

[jensequitur]

Oh, yeah - meant to say that 1450 a day is a little restrictive for calorie intake.  You're going to mess up, and then feel bad about it.  Try googling 'RMR' or resting metabolic rate and see if you can find a calculator.  Jillian Michael's is very restrictive, while caloriesperhour isn't too bad.  Anyway, I'm on 1600 calories a day, and that's below the recommended level...  they recommended 1750 for me.  I probably end up eating a little more without realizing it on the weekends, so it evens out.

[cainer]

yeh after im still for a little bit- it s like your stiff and hurts- i agree with jen,  but i take flexareel and it helps!  hope your better!

[socrates2k1]

Well, it sounds to me, from what you have explained, to be spasticity, which is a common MS symptom.  I mean, I already have to deal with an MS hug, and muscle spasms throughout my body, so I guess, this is just something else, to deal with.

I does help to know, that someone else knows, what it feels like (unfortunately, for us both).

Thank you for sharing, and hey, know you are not alone.

Take care and God bless

[jensequitur]

Hey, hang in there!  

[socrates2k1]

Follow up Q?
Does it continue, for several weeks?
(I have no medical insurance, at this time, not able to get Rx relief)

For me, this symptom, has continued for several weeks, more than 2 months.

You are right, it does tend to center, between the shoulder blades, specifically the muscles in the mid-back range.

Take care and God bless.

[Sumanadevii]

I have felt that pain and in the exact place you describe.  It was one of the worse pains I think I ever felt.  It was like have a migraine headache but in that area.  The culprit for me?  A Topamax a medication my neuro had put me on.  Have you had any changes in medication over the last month?  I know the medicine he gave me did nothing at first....after about three weeks it set in.  It would take me another month to figure it out.  

[territorial]

I dealt with this for approximately 2 weeks a couple of weeks back. It was a terrible pain, exactly like Sumanadevii said, A migraine headache, but in the back.  No position was comfortable for me.  Hot bath seemed to ease it up, but then it would be back  as soon as I was out.

I went to my family physician (neuro appt to follow) and was put on Lyrica for that and all the tingles and crap the left side of my body is feeling.  The pain is gone now, but I am not looking forward to feeling that again.

Terri

[twopack]

Some things that might help.

Since it happens when you get up from the bed or a chair, maybe you need to make a point of changing position more frequently as you sit.  You might also try slowing down the process, doing some gentle stretches of your back before you start to get up.  It requires planning but is worth it if you can prevent that pain.

During times when you are feeling more relaxed and pain-free (after showering is usually good for me) try doing a few slow but sustained stretches.  When you stretch as far as you can go, hold for a count of three to five (and build up to ten) with NO bouncing.  A physical therapist walked me through how to do this with each muscle group.  It really helps.

If you can make yourself stretch against the spasm SLOWLY it can sometimes help stop it.  Unfortunately, it usually cranks up the pain level initially.

Sometimes heat will help if it doesn't make you too weak or if you are willing to pay the price of using it.  Stick to brief periods of heat that doesn't exceed about 105 degrees.

Is there a doc that knows your history and would write a prescription?  Baclofen is pretty inexpensive (30 tabs cost me $7.33 and insurance pays nothing).  Flexaril is too, in it's generic form.  If spasms are a body wide problem for you I'd definitely look into this as spasticity is one MS problem that it is possible to control with a combination of affordable options.  Just be aware that some spasticity can be helpful when standing and walking if your legs are weak.  Like so many other things, it's all about achieving the right balance for you.

Good luck in getting relief and also with your weight loss efforts.  As you reduce calories, just make sure you get enough high quality protein.  It's a lack of protein that robs your muscles when you don't get enough of it in your food (think of starving people with swollen bellies but stick arms and legs).  You want to lose fat, not muscle.  I'm not sure of the recommended minimum calorie intake for men.  Some of it depends on activity level.  Check with the American Diabetes Association web site for good diet.  All of us would be better off on an ADA diet, IMO.

Mary
(who doesn't follow her own diet advise, btw)

[jensequitur]

I didn't realize you were without insurance... bummer.

Baclofen is on the cheap list at Walmart too - $4 for 30 pills.  Yeah, the trick is getting a scrip for flexaril and baclofen.  If you can do that, you'll be good for a while.  

Mary's got some great advice on stretching - it won't fix it entirely, but it will help.  Sometimes I find that stretching actually makes the muscle spasm, so be careful.

I also heard from somewhere that cold will help spasticity.  I've tried it with my shoulders and it seemed to help.  Try a gel pack against the spasming muscle.