back pain

Hi thanks for taking my question.  I actually have 2 seperate questions.

I am a 28 yr old male with no major medical probs except for a 2 cm meningioma on the left frontal lobe I've known about for 4 years.

1)  I have this re occuring back pain around T10 or so.  It usually comes on when I've been lifting stuff up alot. It does not radiate, but it feel like the pain is just localized deep in my spine.  It's like a knife sticking me in the back and sometimes I cant even walk without the breath being knocked out of me.   The doctor I saw claims its "just muscle pain" and I have a thoracic xray which was normal.   But why does it allways happen in the same exact spot every time?  This problem has led me to have to find a less physical job even.

2)  One morning recently I woke up and I couldn't move my left leg at all.  It was totally dead and felt sort of numb.  Immediately I thought I'd had a stroke but about a minute after I started moving around it returned to normal.   I haven't told my doc about this one...

What do you think.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH]

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.    
   The back pain that you describe may be musclo-skeletal or related to a disc/spine problem.  The feature of pain worsening with exertion of the area is very common with both. I would suggest an MRI of your Thoracic and lumbar spine to evaluate.  I does not sound like you have a severely pinched nerve, or you would expect radiation, weakness, and/or numbness.  
  The episode that you describe, waking up and one leg does not work, is concerning.  It could be something as benign as you slept on it funny (if you sleep on it wrong, you deprive the blood supply and it will feel weak and numb when you wake up, then return to normal as you shake it etc.).  It could also be a warning stroke or a "TIA" (transient ischemic attack).  Being that you are 28 (quite young) stroke is less likely, but still possible.  I would recommend that you see a neurologist and discuss your need for a MRI of the Brain to look signs of minor stroke damage, (after your exam of course).
I hope this has been helpful.

[mike1105]

sounds muscular to me too. i'd see a good physical therapist. when the muscles along the spine are weak, they go into spasm to protect the spine. the area most likely needs to be stretched and strengthened. get a book by Dr. Joile Bookspan called The Ab Revolution--- if indeed your pain is musclular this will help alot.

[slipnslide]

Rob,

I've experienced similar type pain.  Mine feels like someone is jamming a broom handle deep in to the right side of my spine in the thoracic area.  I too was told it was muscular.  I had a whiplash injury 11/05 and that is when it started.  I too had a thoracic MRI which was normal.  Another MRI was ordered but for the C-spine which showed three protruding discs, two of them having a mass effect on the cord.  I had been through PT & chiro care prior to my ACDF C5-7 surgery back on 6/22/06.  Nothing helped that intermittant stabbing pain before surgery.  Now, maybe it's just coincidence, but that stabbing feeling no longer taunts me even though I'm still dealing with most of my other c-spine pains.